The Super Eagles have been sliding down the soccer ladder during the last decade, a trend confirmed when they were pipped to a World Cup place by Angola.
Nigeria
Unstoppable on their day, they still have great individual talent and any side that has Obafemi Martins leading the line must be in with a shout. Inflated egos all too often get in the way and Yakubu Ayegbeni's decision to pull out could be a sign of things to come. New coach Austin Eguavoen will be hoping captain Jay-Jay Okocha bows out of international soccer with a bang.
Verdict: Third in the group
Player to watch. ..
Inter Milan striker Martins combines pace with power and is in prime form after scoring five goals in Nigeria's last two qualifiers.
Ghana
On a high after securing their first World Cup qualification, the Black Stars are a force to be reckoned with once more. They missed out entirely two years ago and won the last of their four African titles back in 1982, but are moving in the right direction under canny Serbian trainer Ratomir Dujkovic. Losing Michael Essien to injury for at least the group games is a big blow, but they still boast two fine midfielders in Stephen Appiah (Fenerbahce) and Sulley Ali Muntari (Udinese). Scoring could be a problem, though.
Verdict: Semi-finals
Player to watch. ..
A hardened pro after eight seasons in Serie A, Appiah is a tenacious player who orchestrates the Ghana midfield and scores important goals.
Senegal
World Cup quarter-finalists in 2002, the Lions of Teranga have achieved little since then. Undoubtedly, complacency crept in once Bruno Metsu quit as coach, and successor Abdoulaye Sarr has not rectified the problem. Virtually every player is in the French or English top flight. Papa Bouba Diop (Fulham) will anchor the midfield, with El Hadji Diouf (Bolton) providing the ammunition for front two Mamadou Niang (Marseille) and Henri Camara (Wigan).
Verdict: Quarter-finals
Player to watch. . .
Niang has speed and skill, and, while finishing sometimes lets him down, he is in prime form after being voted player of the month in France in December.
Zimbabwe
Pitted against three African heavyweights, the Warriors are unlikely to fare any better than two years ago when they finished bottom of the group. Just three players play in Europe and their cause will be hopeless if star striker Benjani Mwaruwari follows through with his threat of withdrawing to stay with Portsmouth. Former Coventry forward Peter Ndlovu, now playing for Sundowns in South Africa, continues to show outstanding commitment to the national team.
Verdict: Fourth in the group
Player to watch.. .
A young goalkeeper with great talent, Energy Murambadoro pulled off many miraculous saves to spare his team's blushes in Tunisia two years ago.
