African Cup of Nations: Five pre-tournament fancies

Each international tournament carries certain roles: underachievers, surprise package, unlikely scorer. But who will fill each at this year's African Cup of Nations?

 

Big-name underachievers: Zambia

Last year's surprise package and defending champions Zambia are now carrying previously unfounded pressure into this year's tournament. Other teams will be out to beat  them and, in a group containing free-scoring Nigeria, they could wilt under expectation. The Zambians scraped through via a penalty shoot-out against Uganda, who  haven't participated since 1978, in their play-off tie just to earn the right to defend their title. Zambia are currently rated at 18.0 to successfully retain  their crown.

 

Surprise package: Burkina Faso

Aside from a fourth place finish back in in 1998, Burkina Faso have not emerged from the group stages on any other occasion in their history. However, they made quite  a splash in qualification after defeating the Central African Republic over two legs, themselves the conquerors of ACoN royalty Egypt in the previous round. Their  chances of qualifying from Group C are rated at around 2.3.

 

Unlikely goal machine: Dieumerci Mbokani

The DR Congo broke a frustrating sequence of missing the last three finals after accounting for minnows Seychelles and then, more impressively, Equatorial Guinea.  Congo were helped along the way by the goals of Anderlecht striker Mbokani, who has excelled at the Belgian club, notching 28 goals in 40 appearances, as well as four  in as many qualification matches for his country. He should trade at around 34.0 to be tournament top scorer.

 

Future Premier League signing: Ryan Mendes

Cape Verde caused a huge upset by defeating Cameroon in qualifying and young forward Ryan Mendes helped himself to three goals along the way to the finals. With a firm  trend of French-based players making switches to England of late, the 22-year-old Lille star could be a potential eye-catcher if he has a good tournament. He is  available to back to be one of the top four tournament scorers.

 

The entertainers: Nigeria

Nigeria are blessed with some real talent such as Chelsea duo Victor Moses and Jon Obi Mikel and sent a message out by qualifying in some style for the finals. They  thrashed Liberia in the last qualifying round, running out as 8-3 winners over the two legs. In a tournament that can be miserly on the goal front, the Super Eagles  should offer an exception. They play Burkina Faso in their opener and the game is around 2.36 to go over the 2.5 goals mark.

 

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