North African neighbors Morocco and Tunisia will lock horns in the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations, along with hosts Gabon and debutants Niger. Morocco and Tunisia, who played in the final of CAN 2004, will be competing in Group C in Libreville after being seeded third and fourth respectively. Ivory Coast have been relatively handed the easiest challenge as they entertain Sudan, Burkina Faso and Angola in Group B. Co-hosts Equatorial Guinea lead Group A along with Libya, Senegal and Zambia, while Group D comprises Ghana, Botswana, Mali and Guinea. The opening game will take place in Bata on the 21st of January between Equatorial Guinea and Libya. Holders Egypt have failed to qualify for the finals for the first time, relinquishing their place at the hands of debutants Niger.