Mali have the chance to show if their quality at U17 and U20 level has made a difference to their senior squad.
Many of the players were in the team that took 3rd place at the U20 World Cup in 1999.
Their coach Henri Kasperczak has a wealth of experience from stints with Morocco, Tunisia and Ivory Coast and with home advantage could turn them into a difficult team to beat.
But being the hosts can be double-edged. The Eagles are under pressure to perform, and the home fans could turn against them.
Many Malians are unhappy that so much money has been spent on holding the competition, when the country can ill-afford it.
Going out early is something the team cannot contemplate.
If they stay in and build support, they could cause one or two surprises, but they are not in the class of Africa's best teams.
