2012 Africa Cup of Nations

[Lineker]

The Court of Arbitration of Sport (CAS) has turned down Namibia's bid to claim a place at the Africa Cup of Nations.

The decision means Burkina Faso retain their place at the tournament, which starts on 21 January.

Namibia said the Burkinabe used an ineligible player in qualifying and as a result they should go to the finals.

Their appeals to Caf over the eligibility of Herve Zengue were turned down twice, leading them to take their case to the Court of Arbitration.

CAS did not reveal the reasons for its decision, but said in a statement that Zengue, who was born in Cameroon but is married to a Burkinabe "took residency in Burkina Faso in 1994".

It went on to say that he was given Burkinabe nationality in 2006 and received a 5-year passport in March 2011.

He appeared in both qualifying matches that Burkina Faso played against Namibia in the build up to this month's tournament, hence Namibia's complaint.

The case was fast-tracked by CAS because a place at Equatorial Guinea and Gabon 2012 hinged on the result.

The Burkinabe can now continue to prepare for the tournament, where they will face Ivory Coast, Angola and Sudan in Group B of the tournament.

They played out a 0-0 draw against co-hosts Gabon in Bitam on Monday.

[The Quasi Juice]

At least we'll have new champs this time as Egypt didnt qualify. Ivory Coast and Ghana should be going in with the mindset to win, they seem the best on paper. I can see Morocco pulling off an upset and going deep. I'll be rooting for Niger, cause their name is funny

[Lineker]

Equatorial Guinea vs. Libya is the first game on tomorrow, on Eurosport + Eurosport HD. Should be a feel-good moment with Libya now being liberated and whatnot.

Then Senegal vs. Zambia follows. It's live on one of those two channels and on an hour's delay on the other- weirdly enough, Eurosport HD is now a strict simulcast of their normal Eurosport station.

Also ITV4 apparently have a daily highlight programme? No idea what time though.

[Colly]

I was trying to figure it out, my Virgin box says theres snooker from Eurosport 2 on the HD channel, then ACON from a bit later. I hope its the second half rather than delayed though, I was hoping to swap halfway through.

[Dan]

Equatorial Guinea vs. Libya is the first game on tomorrow, on Eurosport + Eurosport HD. Should be a feel-good moment with Libya now being liberated and whatnot.

What time?

[Lineker]

Equatorial Guinea vs. Libya is the first game on tomorrow, on Eurosport + Eurosport HD. Should be a feel-good moment with Libya now being liberated and whatnot.

What time?

Coverage starts at 18:15

[IAceI]

Zambia will be playing nine years on from the tragedy where most of their team were killed in a plane crash in 1993. They were on their way to play Senegal. And the crash was off the coast of Gabon, where this tournaments final will be held. Hope they perform well.

[Colly]

Zambia will be playing nine years on from the tragedy where most of their team were killed in a plane crash in 1993. They were on their way to play Senegal. And the crash was off the coast of Gabon, where this tournaments final will be held. Hope they perform well.

It's 2002?!?

[The Quasi Juice]

Just put a cheeky bid on Niger winning

[Lineker]

Tear gas has fired before the first match of the African Cup of Nations between opening match between hosts Equatorial Guinea and Libya.

-Reuters

[Colly]

Is that the opening ceremony? Unusual I guess.

[Thrilla]

I've back Ghana (9/2) to win and Demba Ba (6/1) to be top scorer. Also a double of Ghana winning and Gyan as top scorer (14/1).

[Lineker]

Does make you think - rather than spending all that money on the lavish opening ceremony, they could, you know, feed/treat the needy

[Colly]

You know its a good national anthem when it sounds like its being played on one of those organs you get at American hockey games.

[Lineker]

Techno funk!

[Lineker]

What a huge win for Zambia!

[Colly]

Highlight of the game was the Zambia keepers handball by a mile. Senegal might be better off finishing second in the group anyway (glass half full)...

[jack95]

Two really good games to kick off the tournament. I barely even regret missing some of Match of the Day to watch Senegal-Zambia!

[Lineker]

For those who have no interest in Utd vs. Arsenal (), tomorrow's games are:

Sun 22nd Jan Ivory Coast vs. Sudan 2012 African Cup of Nations Group B 16:00 British Eurosport / British Eurosport HD

Sun 22nd Jan Burkina Faso vs. Angola 2012 African Cup of Nations Group B 19:00 British Eurosport 2

[Lineker]

Might watch Ivory Coast vs. Sudan just to give my heart a break before the NFL tonight.