EGYPT
Previous appearances in finals: 21
Best performance: Winners in 1957, 1959, 1986, 1998, 2006 and 2008
Coach:
Hassan Shehata achieved as coach what he failed as player in winning the Nations Cup title with Egypt in 2006.
He played in three tournaments during his decade-long spell in the Egyptian national team. Shehata won a second title in 2008 but failure to qualify for the 2010 World Cup means his tenure is likely to end unless the Pharoahs can win a third successive Nations Cup as consolation.
Key players:
Hosni Abd Rabou (Al Ahli Dubai). Age: 25. Midfielder.
Named as the best player at the last Nations Cup in Ghana where his set pieces, powerful shooting and hard graft in midfield stood out. Although Abd Rabou only made his debut for Egypt five years ago, he has amassed 67 caps and was part of the country's last two Nations Cup winning sides
Ahmed Hassan (Al Ahli). Age: 35. Midfielder
The tireless midfielder has 153 caps and will be playing in a seventh Nations Cup, one less than record holder Rigobert Song of Cameroon. Hassan is the only player to have won three Nations Cup titles and was named the best player at the 2006 edition.
Emad Moteab (Al Ahli). Age: 26. Forward.
Scorer of 29 international goals, Moteab is pacey and creative but has a poor ratio of chances converted. He will have added responsibility in Angola where he leads the attack alongside German-based Mohamed Zidan in the absence of injured Amr Zaki and the dropped Mido.
FIFA world ranking December 2009: 24th
Prospects:
Egypt seek to become the first side to win the Nations Cup three times in a row, as much to set a new landmark for the competition as to make up for the major disappointment of again missing out on World Cup qualification.
A loss to bitter rivals Algeria in a play-off in November could spell the end of a golden era for the Egyptians or be cause for renewed focus and vigour.
NIGERIA
Previous appearances in finals: 15
Best performance: Winners in 1980 and 1994; Runners-up in 1984, 1988, 1990 and 2000
Coach:
Shaibu Amodu has had nine spells as coach of Nigeria, all but two of them as a caretaker after working as an assistant to a myriad of expatriate trainers.
Amodu help
