Mohamed Salah will be looking to captain Egypt to a record-extending eighth triumph when the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) gets under way in Ivory Coast on Saturday after finishing as a runner-up with the Pharaohs twice.
The Liverpool forward missed out on penalties in the 2021 Afcon final against Senegal, with former Reds team-mate Sadio Mane netting the winning spot-kick.
The defending champions are firmly among the favourites to lift the trophy but face threats from across the continent - with the unpredictability of the tournament underlined by the fact the past seven editions have produced seven different winners.
Morocco are Africa's top-ranked team at 13th in the world after their historic run to the semi-finals at the 2022 World Cup, while Nigeria can boast the striking firepower of African Footballer of the Year Victor Osimhen.
Hosts Ivory Coast are bidding for a first title since 2015 and Algeria will be searching for a vast improvement after crashing out as holders in the group stage two years ago.
"I cannot recall a stronger field," Senegal forward Mane, who now plays his club football in Saudi Arabia, said.
"All the giants are going to be in Ivory Coast and all of them will be plotting to dethrone us. I believe [this] Nations Cup will be the toughest to win."
The 24-team format will see the top two in each of the six groups qualify for the last 16, with the four best third-placed sides also progressing to the knockout stages where the overall winners will pick up $7m (£5.5m) in prize money.
BBC viewers in the UK will be able to see 10 games live, including two quarter-finals, both semi-finals and the final on 11 February, while the World Football at Afcon podcast will have discussions rounding up every matchday.
The tournament was originally scheduled to be played in June and July last year, but has been shifted to early 2024 to avoid the rainy season in West Africa.
The switch to being played in middle of the European season for the second time running has caused a club versus country debate to flare up again, with Salah stepping away from Liverpool's Premier League title challenge after netting 14 league goals so far this season.
Reds boss Jurgen Klopp may have joked about hoping the 31-year-old forward returns to Anfield soon, but Salah has no regrets.
"I want to win this competition having come so close twice," he said before the North Africans departed for Ivory Coast.
"I am so happy to play in this wonderful African tournament and my team-mates and I are desperate to succeed. Every time I step on the pitch I am conscious of my role - I am representing millions of Egyptians.
"We know the streets of Cairo and other cities, towns and villages will be empty when we play."
Yet Manchester United and Andre Onana have been blasted as "out of touch" after the Cameroon goalkeeper decided to stay with the Red Devils for their Premier League game against Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday.
The 27-year-old, who has endured dips in form since his move to Old Trafford in July, is expected to miss his country's Group C opener against Guinea on Monday.
"For me, this is disrespectful from United and it is really low from Onana to even consider it," former Indomitable Lions defender Sebastien Bassong told the BBC's World Football at Afcon podcast.
With forward Bryan Mbeumo injured, Vincent Aboubakar is again expected to lead the line for five-time winners Cameroon after his eight-goal haul won the golden boot at the last edition.
Source: BBC
BDST: 0940 HRS, JAN 13, 2024
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