As the 2019 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) commences on Friday in Egypt, one of the major characters that would be at play is the technical brains of each of the national teams at the competition.

In all 24 coaches would be managing the affairs of their respective team with of them coming from Africa whilst the remaining 13 would be expatriate coaches.

GNA Sports takes a look at the coaches in Group A of the competition and what they are capable of bringing to the table of their respective teams.

Egypt: Javier Aguirre (Mexican)

Javier Aguirre Onaindía was named manager of the Egyptian national team after Hector Cuper left following their 2018 World Cup group exit. He signed a four-year deal in 2019.

The former Mexican footballer, was born on December 1, 1958) and nicknamed El Vasco (The Basque).

Aguirre, played for Mexico at the 1986 World Cup and led them to the last 16 as coach in 2002 and 2010. He has a rich CV under his belt as a coach, having coached: Atletico Madrid (2006-08), Osasuna (2005-06), Espanyol (2012-14), Ah Wahda, Mexico (2010) and Japan (2014-15).

As a player, Aguirre was a member of the Mexico national team and later became a coach on two separate occasions, but resigned after the 2010 FIFA World Cup. His biggest achievement as an international coach was winning the 2009 Gold Cup with Mexico.

DR Congo: Florent Ibengé (Congolese)

Florent Ibenge was appointed coach of DR Congo for their 2015 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign.

The 52-year-old, filled the vacant position after Claude LeRoy's departure. He combines the duties with his role as coach of AS Vita Club. He became manager of the DR Congo national team in August 2014.

He was manager of Chinese club Shanghai Shenhua from April to May 2012 and the Congolese team, Vita Club from February 2014.

In his years with The Leopards of DR Congo, Ibenge took the national team to a third-place finish at the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations in Gabon.

In 2016 he helped the team to become champions of the Championship of African Nations (CHAN) in Rwanda - the tournament which is only open to footballers who play in the country’s local leagues.

Uganda: Sébastien Desabre (French)

Desabre was born on 2 August 1976 in Valence, France. Prior to his current assignment, was the head coach of Ismaily football club in the Egyptian Premier League. His other past coaching assignments included ESC Rocheville in France, ASEC Mimosas in Ivory Coast, CS Garoua in Cameroon and ES Tunis in Tunisia. He also coached Clube Recreativo Desportivo Libolo in Angola, Dubai Club in the United Arab Emirates, JS Saoura in Algeria and Wydad Athletic Club in Morocco.

In December 2017, ahead of the January–February 2018 African Nations Championship competition, he signed a three-year contract with the Federation of Uganda Football Association at a gross monthly salary of US$25,000.

The Cranes had been without a full-time coach since Milutin 'Micho' Sredojevic terminated his contract over the issue of unpaid wages until Desabre took charge.

Desabre arrived in Kampala after leading Ismaili to a 5-0 win over El Raja in his final match in charge of the Egyptian club.

In November 2018, the Uganda national team was nominated with five others for the CAF Men's national team of the year award 2018.

This will be his first major international tournament and at the AFCON.

Zimbabwe: Sunday Chidzambwa (Zimbabwean)

Sunday Marimo 'Mhofu' Chidzambwa is by far Zimbabwe's most successful coach who returned to the team for a third stint. He has been handed a year contract and opened for renewal based on his performance for the Warriors at the AFCON.

However, the 65-year-old now has a great opportunity to silence his detractors having masterminded the team’s maiden qualification to the Africa Cup of Nations after one and half decade absence.

After retiring as a player, he went on to manage Dynamos, the Zimbabwe national team (in 2004 at the 2004 African Cup of Nations and 2007), and South African team Umtata Bush Bucks, where he was unable to take up the position because he lost his passport; he was replaced by Clemens Westerhoff.

He was re-appointed manager of Zimbabwe in November 2008, leaving in May 2010 to manage South Africa's Free State Stars. Marimo quit Free State Stars in August 2010, later becoming manager of Black Leopards. He was appointed as one of three Zimbabwe national team coaches in July 2017.

Having missed out on the World Cup qualifiers, with Zimbabwe serving a ten-year ban, reaching the 2019 AFCON is imperative for the country which can boast of the likes of Knowledge Musona, Marvelous Nakamba and Khama Billiat to reach their target.

Chidzambwa takes charge of the national side at a moment of great significance, with Zimbabwe desperate to break free of prolonged spells of under-achievement to become regulars at the continent's premier football festival.