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From the 20th January to the 10th February the African Nations Cup is to be held in Egypt. This is the sports event that generates most interest throughout the African continent. The competition dates from 1957 and is held bi-annually. It can now provide us with a reason to discuss African football.

Firstly, we should point out that although we shall be looking mostly at men's football, we shouldn't lose sight of the fact that women's football has undergone constant progression in recent times, both in the professional sphere and in the number of amateur players and fans.

The African Nations Cup will give an insight into the level of football being played in Africa and glimpse of the chances held by African sides taking part in the World Cup Germany 2006.

The good show put on by some of the African teams in recent world championships and the increasingly important role of African players in the major European leagues mean that interest in African football is growing. In four years time, African football will also host a challenging event: the World Cup South Africa 2010, when the country will become the first nation in Africa to host a football world cup.