Africa Cup of Nations 2012 TV Schedule: 3 Reasons Tournament Is Must See

The Barclays Premier League, and other leagues around the world, are missing some of their best players right now. The likes of Didier Drogba, Demba Ba, Yaya Toure, Kolo Toure, Gervinho, Andre Ayew and Seydou Keita are all at the Africa Cup of Nations representing their respective countries.

Some would call it a hindrance to their clubs, but in actuality it gives the managers an opportunity to see what the reserves in their lineup have to offer before the final push.

The African players take great pride in the Cup of Nations tournament, and it is a can't miss event on football schedule.

Debuts

Equatorial Guinea, Niger and Botswana are all making their Africa Cup of Nations debuts.

With traditional powerhouses like Nigeria, Cameroon and Egypt not in the mix this year, it really opens up to the competition to just about any country.

There certainly are favorites like the Ivory Coast (Côte d'Ivoire) and Ghana to be dealt with, but these new nations bring a new energy and excitement to the tournament just by being there.

Superstars

There are a number of superstars excelling on the pitch for their respective clubs this year.

Ba of Senegal has been absolutely sensational for Newcastle this season and is second in the Premier League in goals scored with 15. He has the Toon tied in fifth with Arsenal at the moment, trailing Chelsea by only four points.

Ivorian Gervinho has been a solid addition to Arsenal and will be a major factor for the Côte d'Ivoire in this tournament along with Drogba of Chelsea. Two of their Ivorian teammates, Kolo and Toure, have helped Man City claim the top spot in the Premier League. Toure, in particular, has been great this year.

World Cup darlings Ghana also feature a few stars in Asamoah Gyan and Andre Ayew. Their run to the quarters in South Africa puts them as a favorite in this tournament with Gyan and Ayew leading the way for the Black Stars.

And we cannot forget about Mali's Seydou Keita at the world's best club, Barcelona.

World Cup Preview

Some of these countries will undoubtedly be starring in the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

There talents will be put on full display in the coming weeks and the most important thing to watch for will be young stars who will continue to grow in the next two years.

It is easy to get caught in the big names, but one of these surprise countries could be the next Ghana running to quarters of the World Cup.

Day/Time ET	Team	v	Team	Stage	Watch
1-21 / 1:30 p.m.	Equa. Guinea	v	Libya	Group A	Link
1-21 / 4 p.m	Senegal	v	Zambia	Group A	Link
1-22 / 11 a.m.	Ivory Coast	v	Sudan	Group B	Link
1-22 / 2 p.m.	Burkina Faso	v	Angola	Group B	Link
1-23 / 11 a.m.	Gabon	v	Niger	Group C	Link
1-23 / 2 p.m.	Morocco	v	Tunisia	Group C	Link
1-24 / 11 a.m.	Ghana	v	Botswana	Group D	Link
1-24 / 2 p.m.	Mali	v	Guinea	Group D	Link
1-25 / 11 a.m.	Libya	v	Zambia	Group A	Link
1-25 / 2. p.m.	Equa. Guinea	v	Senegal	Group A	Link
1-26 / 11 a.m.	Sudan	v	Angola	Group B	Link
1-26 / 2 p.m.	Ivory Coast	v	B. Faso	Group B	Link
1-27 / 11 a.m.	Niger	v	Tunisia	Group C	Link
1-27 / 2 p.m.	Gabon	v	Morocco	Group C	Link
1-28 / 11 a.m.	Botswana	v	Guinea	Group D	Link
1-28 / 2 p.m.	Ghana	v	Mali	Group D	Link
1-29 / 1 p.m.	Equa. Guinea	v	Zambia	Group A	Link
1-29 / 1 p.m.	Libya	v	Senegal	Group A	Link
1-30 / 1 p.m.	Ivory Coast	v	Angola	Group B	Link
1-30 / 1 p.m.	Sudan	v	B. Faso	Group B	Link
1-31 / 1 p.m.	Gabon	v	Tunisia	Group C	Link
1-31 / 1 p.m.	Niger	v	Morocco	Group C	Link
2-1 / 1 p.m.	Botswana	v	Mali	Group D	Link
2-1 / 1 p.m.	Ghana	v	Guinea	Group D	Link
2-4 / 11 a.m.	A Winner	v	2B	Quarters	Link
2-4 / 2 p.m.	B Winner	v	2A	Quarters	Link
2-5 / 11 a.m.	C Winner	v	2D	Quarters	Link
2-5 / 2 p.m.	D Winner	v	2C	Quarters	Link
2-8 / 11 a.m.	TBD	v	TBD	Semis	Link
2-8 / 2 p.m.	TBD	v	TBD	Semis	Link
2-11 / 2 p.m.	TBD	v	TBD	3rd	Link
2-12 / 2 p.m	SF 1 Win	v	SF 2 Win	Final	Link