Kidiaba - the oldest, Abogo the youngest

TP Mazembe and DR Congo goalie, Robert Muteba Kidiaba is the oldest player at the Orange Africa Cup of Nations Equatorial Guinea 2015. The veteran will celebrate his 39th birthday on 1 February 2015.

Third-choice Cameroon goalie, Pierre Sylvain Abogo is the youngest player at the championship. The captain of the Cameroon U-17 team turns 17 on 27 January 2015.

However, the record for the oldest and youngest player remains intact. Egyptian Hossam Hassan holds the record for the oldest player (39 years, 5 months and 24 days) whilst Gabonese Chiva Star Nzighou holds the record for youngest player (16 years, 2 months and 30 days).

Most youthful AFCON ever

Of the 368 players present in Equatorial Guinea, only 26 are over 30 years (as at 17 January 2015) and 21 are less than 20 years. In summary, 321 of the players present in Bata, Malabo, Ebibeyin and Mongomo are between 20 and 30 years old.

Most of the participating teams have gone for youthful squads compared to previous editions.

Seventh appearance for Seydou Keita, three Ivorians

Mali captain Seydou Keita is a household name in the history of the Africa Cup of Nations. Since making his debut in 2002, he also appeared in 2004, 2008, 2010, 2012 and 2013 editions. The current championship is the seventh time the Mali captain is appearing at the showpiece event.

Keita shares the same record with former Ivorian goalkeeper Alain Gouamene, but still falls short of the eight appearances by Cameroon legend Rigobert Song.

Also making their seventh appearance is Ivorian trio, Boubacar ‘Copa’ Barry, Abib Kolo Toure and Siaka Tiene (2002, 2006, 2008, 2010, 2012 and 2013).

Zambia captain Rainford Kalaba and Kennedy Mweene will also be making their fifth appearances.

Tunisia Unshakable for 20-years

Tunisia is the only team to have participated at the final tournament and all eight successive appearances since 2000.

Since 2000, Cote d’Ivoire, Ghana and Zambia have contested in seven (7) championships;

South Africa, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Mali, and Senegal have made six appearances,   Algeria and DR Congo have five (5) participations; Guinea have 4, Gabon 3 whilst Cape Verde, Congo and Equatorial Guinea one each.