African Nations Cup record

Previous appearances in finals: 17

Best performance: Winners in 1992, runners-up in 2006

Coach: Vahid Halilhodzic, who took over at the start of the qualifiers in May 2008, has amassed a record of nine wins, nine draws and a single loss. Bosnian-born Halilhodzic played for Yugoslavia at the 1982 World Cup and had a stellar playing career as a striker in France's Ligue 1 with Nantes and Paris St Germain. The 57-year-old is a former coach of several French clubs and Trabzonspor in Turkey.

Key players:

Didier Drogba (Chelsea). Age: 31. Forward

With 40 goals in 60 internationals, Drogba has proved vital for his country as they have emerged as one of Africa's top teams over the last years. He led them to the final of the 2006 Nations Cup and two World Cup tournaments, although he missed half of the 2010 qualifiers through injury. At club level, he has won both league and cup honours in England with Chelsea since his signing from Olympique Marseille.

Salomon Kalou (Chelsea). Age: 24. Forward

As an exciting teenage talent with Feyenoord, Kalou was the subject of a lengthy, but ultimately unsuccessful, bid to win Dutch nationality before the 2006 World Cup. He eventually debuted for the Ivorians, where elder brother Bonaventure had previously been captain, and is now a regular alongside Drogba in attack.

Yaya Toure (Barcelona). Age: 26. Midfielder.

A massive physical presence in the centre of midfield, Toure took a circuitous route through clubs in five different countries before signing for European champions Barcelona two years ago. He has previously played club football in Belgium, Ukraine, Greece and France and shares a berth in the team with elder brother Kolo.

FIFA world ranking December 2009: 16th

Prospects: Although overdependant on Drogba for inspiration, the Ivorians are arguably the strongest of the current African teams and will have high hopes of success in Angola. The tournament also serves as a potentially positive portent before they go to the 2010 World Cup finals in South Africa, where the have been drawn in a tough group with Brazil and Portugal.