Minnows Cape Verde will open Africa Cup of Nations when taking on hosts South Africa . Island nation of half a million inhabitants caused shock of surprise when eliminating two - time winners Cameroon . `` We did it in 2012 . Favorites Ivory Coast drawn in tough Group D with Algeria , Tunisia and Togo . Reigning champions Zambia must face Nigeria , Burkina Faso and Ethiopia .
Minnows Cape Verde will open Africa Cup of Nations when taking on hosts South Africa . Island nation of half a million inhabitants caused shock of surprise when eliminating two - time winners Cameroon . Favorites Ivory Coast drawn in tough Group D with Algeria , Tunisia and Togo . Reigning champions Zambia must face Nigeria , Burkina Faso and Ethiopia .