The 2015 Africa U-23 Cup of Nations – which will serve as the continent’s qualifiers for the 2016 Olympic Games – kicks off in 12 days’ time in host nation Senegal.
The tournament, previously known as the CAF U-23 Championship, will begin on November 28 and run until December 12.
It features eight teams divided into two groups of four which will play in a round-robin format. The top two teams from each group will progress into the semifinals, which will be followed by a third-place playoff and the championship final.
The top three teams at the tournament will qualify for next year’s Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro as Africa’s representatives.
Gabon are the reigning champions, having beaten hosts Morocco 2-1 in the 2011 final. Egypt finished third after beating Senegal 2-0 in the playoff.
This year’s field features the following eight teams: Senegal, South Africa, Zambia, Tunisia (Group A), Egypt, Algeria, Mali and Nigeria (Group B).
The opening match on November 28 sees hosts Senegal face South Africa at the Stade Leopold Sedar Senghor in Dakar. The final will be played at the same venue on December 12.