The 2012 African Cup of Nations begins this weekend with two host nations, Equatorial Guinea and Gabon, which have such a limited record in this competition. The former has never qualified for an African Cup of Nations before and will be an unknown quantity to most observers of this year's tournament whilst the latter have competed in just four previous tournaments and have only progressed beyond the group stage on just one occasion when reaching the last eight in 1996.

The stage is set for the 28th edition of the African Cup Of Nations that begins tomorrow in Equatorial Guinea and Gabon with two Group A fixtures between the hosts Equatorial Guinea and Libya in the early kick off and the eagerly awaited Senegal v Zambia clash in the late kick off.

African All-Stars: 7 Players to watch at Africa Cup of Nations 2012 is a post from: Just Football

"I think it is a responsibility for every proper club in Europe to go to the Africa Cup of Nations to see what the market brings and what hidden talents are running around in Africa," Hoffenheim scout Lutz Pfannenstiel told the BBC on the eve of the African Cup of Nations 2012.

One year on: Egyptian football after the revolution is a post from: Just Football

January 25th 2011. One year ago today, the revolution began. Making his debut for Just Football, Adam Moustafa reports on the changes to Egyptian football in the year since:

Prior to the Egyptian revolution, football was one of the main sources of bliss for Egyptians.

I think all of those who watched yesterday's African Cup of Nations Final match between Ivory Coast and Zambia share my feeling: we were privileged to be allowed to participate in one of the more remarkable moments in modern sporting history. It was one, of course, that went largely under the radar in the U.

Africa Cup of Nations 2012 Zambia answer the call of destiny is a post from: Just Football

In my final Africa Cup of Nations 2012 column for FourFourTwo I took a look at Zambia's triumph on penalties in a final of incredible drama, tension and, ultimately, joy for the Chipolopolo and despair for Côte d'Ivoire:

When he saw the shot sail wide he could take it no more.

Drogba, Ayew, Ba, Cisse and co... African Cup of Nations 2012 The Squads is a post from: Just Football

Africa's finest are back. The African Cup of Nations 2012 is just days away now and with that it is time to crank up the coverage on Just Football. Since starting the site back in 2007 we have followed both the 2008 and 2010 Nations Cups very closely with reports, reviews and analysis, and will continue to do so in 2012 as the competition moves north from Angola to Equatorial Guinea and Gabon.

Group A: African Cup of Nations Preview (Equatorial Guinea, Libya, Senegal, Zambia) is a post from: Just Football

No introductions, you know what this is. The African Cup of Nations 2012, in all its resplendent glory. This will be the 28th edition of the Cup of Nations and the third covered on Just Football after 2008 and 2010.

Group B: African Cup of Nations 2012 Preview (Angola, Burkina Faso, Ivory Coast, Sudan) is a post from: Just Football

Just Football's team-by-team African Cup of Nations 2012 group previews continues now with a look at Group B. Follow us on Twitter or subscribe to Just Football to get all the latest news from Just Football at the African Cup of Nations and beyond.

Group C: African Cup of Nations Preview (Gabon, Morocco, Niger, Tunisia) is a post from: Just Football

We've looked at Demba Ba and friends in Group A and contemplated Côte d'Ivoire in Group B. Just Football's team-by-team African Cup of Nations 2012 group previews continues now with a look at Group C.

PUMA has launched a new programme that gives a unique cultural insight into the world of African football through the eyes of high profile PUMA partnered players.

The African Cup of Nations isn't just a mid-season nuisance for Premier League managers, you know... Game Intelligence defers to our very own African football expert, Dr Congo, for the low-down on what to expect from this year's tournament. This year's ... Continue reading →

Group D: African Cup of Nations Preview (Botswana, Ghana, Guinea, Mali) is a post from: Just Football

Time to conclude Just Football's team-by-team African Cup of Nations 2012 group previews now with a look at Group D Botswana, Ghana, Guinea and Mali.

The African Cup of Nations isn't just a mid-season nuisance for Premier League managers, you know... Game Intelligence defers to our very own African football expert, Dr Congo, for the low-down on what to expect from this year's tournament. This year's ... Continue reading →

Africa Cup of Nations 2012 Team of the Round, Matchday 1 is a post from: Just Football

We have seen 15 goals in 8 opening games of the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations, with some fascinating fixtures and a few hints as to how the tournament might unfold. Only one game was separated by more than one goal, co-hosts Gabon beating Niger 2-0, while there have been no heavy defeats for any of the less-fancied teams, with the likes of Sudan and Botswana, and even Niger to an extent, more than holding their own against continental powerhouses like Cote d'Ivoire and Ghana.

Nike have unveiled a new short film featuring four of the African continents brightest talents, who represent the future, and who are a new generation of African footballers who aim to lead the African football revolution

Tunisia The team to beat at Africa Cup of Nations 2012? is a post from: Just Football

My latest African football column for FourFourTwo looks at Tunisia and whether they are the team to beat at this year's AFCON:

For a team that could just as easily be sitting at home watching on TV, they made a pretty good start.

Tunisia The team to beat at Africa Cup of Nations 2012? is a post from: Just Football

My latest African football column for FourFourTwo looks at Tunisia and whether they are the team to beat at this year's AFCON:

For a team that could just as easily be sitting at home watching on TV, they made a pretty good start.

More shocks and surprises are on the cards with match day 3 of AFCON set to begin later on today. As things stand, co-hosts Equatorial Guinea and Gabon, Ivory Coast, Ghana and Tunisia have all sealed their places in the next round.

Friday's thriller between Gabon and Morocco that saw the Co-hosts win the game with the last kick of the ball probably has to be the most entertaining match of the competition thus far.

Why Senegal failed at Africa Cup of Nations 2012 is a post from: Just Football

My latest African football column for FourFourTwo looks at Senegal, who slumped to bottom of their group and an early trip home despite being one of the pre-tournament favourites. Why did they fail?

Why Senegal failed at Africa Cup of Nations 2012 is a post from: Just Football

My latest African football column for FourFourTwo looks at Senegal, who slumped to bottom of their group and an early trip home despite being one of the pre-tournament favourites. Why did they fail?

What's stopping you, Kenya? is a post from: Just Football

Sudan aside, there's a glaring geographical gap at this year's African Cup of Nations. Andrew Crawford has a few ideas why:

Watching the current African Cup Of Nations (ACON), it is somewhat tellingly awkward how there isn't a stronger presence from countries from East Africa, although the same could be said for almost every ACON and since it began.

Besides the human loss, it is sad that the attention of the world on African football during a great tournament as the African Cup of Nations, is drawn away by the game, to the catastrophe that happened in Egypt.I am certain that this is not what Egypt is about, with its great people and fans, and it is not what African football is about.

Adidas, in conjunction with Supersport, is inviting all African football fans to participate in choosing the appropriate name for the official matchball for 2013 AFCON tournament

Heartbreak for Gabon and Aubamayeng but a bright future awaits... is a post from: Just Football

In my latest column for FourFourTwo I take a look at co-hosts Gabon and their exciting but ultimately heartbreaking Africa Cup of Nations campaign:

After the laughter comes tears.

A week after deadly clashes at the end of an Egyptian league match between Ahl-Masry and Al-Ahli turned tragic when Al-Ahli fans were attacked and killed by Masry supporters, football's world governing body FIFA has responded by donating over $250,000 to families of those affected by the violence.

It is hard not to have sympathy for Zambia's football team: in the 80s and early 90s they were an important part of the African football awakening that was to take the world by storm right until 1993, when the entire team was killed in an air disaster when heading to a World Qualifier. While in 1994 they made it to the African Nations Cup final, they still never fully recovered from the

Africa Cup of Nations final preview Zambia are winners regardless of result is a post from: Just Football

With the final today, here is my latest Africa Cup of Nations 2012 column for FourFourTwo.com on Zambia and their remarkable journey to the final:

Together they walked slowly to the coastline, singing in unison.

Africa Cup of Nations final preview Zambia are winners regardless of result is a post from: Just Football

With the final today, here is my latest Africa Cup of Nations 2012 column for FourFourTwo.com on Zambia and their remarkable journey to the final:

Together they walked slowly to the coastline, singing in unison.

Zambia's fairy tale run in the African Cup of Nations ended with them sensationally beating hot favourites Ivory Coast 8-7 on post match penalties to win their maiden AFCON trophy.

In a match attended by football legends Pele, Michel Platini amongst other and beamed to millions across the continent and the world, there was doubt that the Chipolopolo were the better side on the night.

Murder in Port Said The day a revolution turned cold is a post from: Just Football

Just days after the one year anniversary of the revolution, Egyptian football was plunged into despair by the tragic events in Port Said. Adam Mostafa reports on events that shook the game. The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of Just Football.

Welcome to Spirit of Mirko's first ever weekly review of African football. It's likely to be skewed somewhat towards the more obscure, it'll be an interesting experiment nonetheless. I hope you enjoy it.

Team of the Week

Africa Team of the Week

In goal we have Joslain Mayebi who plays for Wrexham of the Conference National (fifth-tier in England).

Very interesting revelations from Ghana coach Goran Stevanovic on the main reason why the Black Stars failed to win the AFCON are emerging. According to Stevanovic, the heavy use of 'juju' greatly affected the team during the tournament.

Ghana along with the Ivory Coast and Senegal was one of the favourites who were hotly tipped to win the AFCON, however, a shock quarter final defeat to Zambia ended their hopes of winning a fifth title and first since 1982.

Herve Renard's cheeky grin, bright white shirts and furious bawls at perenially offside strikers are now a distant memory. Nevertheless, the wheels of African football continue to grind along, domestic leagues are in full swing from Lubumbashi to Nairobi, and the heroes (and villains) of the Cup of Nations are back with their respective European, Asian and African clubs.

Orlando Pirates celebrate with the ASBA Premiership trophy

Orlando Pirates (Played 30, points 58) are the ASBA Premiership champions for the second consecutive year following their 4-2 win away at Lamontville Golden Arrows last weekend. A brace from Benni McCarthy proved crucial for one of South Africa's most decorated clubs, his two goals coming in the last half an hour of the game to help push his team over the winning post.