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and why no top Premier League players are taking part


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Internet browsers will have spotted a unique new Google Doodle on Saturday morning - and it's advertising football.

The artwork, which appears in place of the traditional search engine logo, is celebrating the start of the African Nations Championship.

Sixteen nations from around the continent head to Morocco over the next two weeks to compete for African football's secondary title.

However, the reigning champions, DR Congo, will not be there after bowing out in qualifying.

But what is the African Nations Cup? And why will no Premier League players be flying out to take part in the competition? Here's all you need to know...

(Image: AFP)

(Image: AFP)

What is the African Nations Championship?

Introduced in 2009, the African Nations Championship (CHAN) is a second class competition for teams in the continent of Africa.

However, teams are only allowed to field players who are currently playing for a club team in their own domestic leagues, meaning Premier League stars - and those across Europe - will not be allowed to be selected.

Such is the level of rotation in the squads compared to other major championships, only nine of the 16 competing nations are led by their regular national team head coach.

Morocco and Nigeria are the only nations to also be competing in this summer's World Cup finals, so it's a chance for their lesser stars to impress ahead of the squad selection.

(Image: Getty Images Europe)

Can you watch it on TV in the UK?

Unfortunately, the competition will not be shown on British television.

Which nations are competing?

Group A: Morocco, Mauritania, Guinea, Sudan

Group B: Uganda, Ivory Coast, Namibia, Zambia

Group C: Nigeria, Equatorial Guinea, Libya, Rwanda

Group D: Cameroon, Congo, Angola, Burkina Faso

(Image: Icon Sport)

(Image: AFP)

Who are the favourites?

Odds are not available for the tournament at this stage, but Libya were the highest-seeded team for the draw.

They were followed by Ivory Coast, Angola, Nigeria, Guinea and Cameroon.

Who are the previous champions?

2009 - DR Congo (beat Ghana 2-0 in final)

2011 - Tunisia (beat Angola 3-0 in final)

2014 - Libya (beat Ghana 4-3 on pens after 0-0 draw in final)

2016 - DR Congo (beat Mali 3-0 in final)


THE fifth edition of the African Nations Championships gets underway tonight in Casablanca.

The competition - which is held every two years - will have a new winner after champs DR Congo failed to qualify for this year's competition.

Getty Images DR Congo are the reigning champions but will not be able to fight to retain their title

When and where is the competition held?

THE fifth edition of the African Nations Championships is being held in Morocco.

Games will be played between Saturday, January 13 and Sunday, February 4.

The final will take place at the Stade Mohamed V, Casablanca.

What time is kick-off for today's games?

THE group stages start today, but there is only one match taking place.

Host's Morocco will take on Mauritania at the Stade Mohamed V, Casablanca.

Kick-off is at 7.30pm.

AFP Hosts Morocco start the games with a match in Group A against Mauritania

Which teams are playing on Sunday?

WITH the competition underway, the remaining Group A game will be played on Sunday.

Guinea will face Sudan at 2.30pm.

In Group B, Cote d'Ivoire plays Namibia at 4.30pm and Zambia are against Uganda at 7.30pm.

Full Saturday Premier League preview including Chelsea v Leicester and Tottenham v Everton

Which channel can I watch it on and can I live stream it?

UNFORTUNATELY, this competition is not being shown live in the UK.

There are currently no rights in place to show the competition in the UK.

AFP or licensors Manchester City star Yaya Toure will not feature in the competition

Is this the African Cup of Nations?

IN short, NO.

The main difference between the African Nations Championships and the African Cup of Nations is that the competing national teams must be composed of players playing in their domestic league.

For example Yaya Toure, who plays domestically in England for Manchester City, is not eligible to play in the competition.

The next African Cup of Nations will be taking place in Cameroon in June 2019.


HOSTS Morocco are preparing to get the fifth edition of the African Nations Championships underway tonight in Casablanca.

They face Mauritania at the Stade Mohamed V stadium and the competition, which is held every two years, will have a new winner after DR Congo failed to qualify.

Google are showcasing the competition using their doodle on Saturday.

Getty Images DR Congo are the reigning champions but will not be able to fight to retain their title

How many teams are in the competition?

THERE are 16 nations taking part in the African Nations Championship which starts tonight - Saturday, January 13.

48 teams, who were split into zones according to their regional affiliation, took part in the qualification process between April and November 2017.

The 16 nations who have qualified were then drawn in one of four groups - A, B, C, or D.

Who are the current champions?

DR CONGO were the winners of the 2016 African Nations Championships.

They beat Mali 3-0 in the final on Sunday, February 7 2016.

They will be unable to defend their title after being knocked out during the qualification process for this year's competition.

Full Saturday Premier League preview including Chelsea v Leicester and Tottenham v Everton

When is the final?

This final will take place on Sunday, February 4.

The game will be held at the Stade Mohamed V, Casablanca.

Kick-off is at 7pm.


THE fifth edition of the African Nations Championships is underway in Casablanca.

Hosts Morocco face Mauritania in the opening game with 16 teams in total fighting to get their hands on the trophy.

AFP

Hosts Morocco start the games with a match in Group A against Mauritania

What is the African Nations Championships?

THE African Nations Championships is a competition held every two years in Africa.

In 2009, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) introduced the tournament which was won by DR Congo.

The original competition was between eight teams but in 2011 the tournament grew to 16 nations.

Who are the former winners of the competition?

AS WELL as winning the competition in its inaugural year, DR Congo were also victorious in 2016.

In the 2011 tournament, which was held in Sudan, Tunisa lifted the trophy after beating Angola 3-0.

The 2014 final in Algeria between Libya and Ghana went to penalties with Libya coming out on top.

Getty Images Cameroon were crowned as African Cup of Nations champions in 2017 after beating Egypt 2-1 in February

Where is it being held?

THE fifth edition of the competition is being held in Morocco.

Originally the competition was meant to be held in Kenya but in September 2017 CAF decided to changed the host nation due to lack of progress with preparations.

Morocco, Equatorial Guinea and Ethiopia bid to replace Kenya as the hosts.

AFP or Licensors Yaya Toure, who has made 100 appearances for his country, is not eligible to play in the competition

What is the difference between this competition and the African Cup of Nations?

THE main difference between the African Nations Championships and the African Cup of Nations is that the competing national teams must be composed of players playing in their domestic league.

For example Yaya Toure, who plays domestically in England for Manchester City, is not eligible to play in the competition.

The next African Cup of Nations will be taking place in Cameroon in June 2019.

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