Niger were THE shock qualifiers for this Nations Cup because few people, if any, expected them to finish above defending champions Egypt, 2010 World Cup hosts South Africa or Sierra Leone in their group. Despite losing all their matches away from the blistering heat of their home stadium in Niamey, the Mena qualified for their maiden Nations Cup thanks to a 100% home record (and Bafana Bafana's embarrassing inability to understand the rules).
Senegal head the group of outsiders to win this Nations Cup and this is more than understandable given the talent available to coach Amara Traore, a former international. Traore, an unused squad member during the 2002 World Cup, has a plethora of riches in attack where he can call upon Premier League hotshot Demba Ba, new Newcastle United signing Papiss Demba Cisse as well as Lille's Moussa Sow and former Marseille star Mamadou Niang.