Egypt, who have won the last two editions in 2006 and 2008 and a record six overall, will also be seeking to make up for the disappointment of failing to qualify for the 2010 World Cup.
Algeria beat them in a bruising playoff in November, and will use the Jan. 10-31 tournament in Angola to prepare their side for a tough assignment in South Africa in mid-year.
"We are a top football nation in Africa and have many players with experience at the top level from playing in Europe," Nigeria coach Shaibu Amodu told reporters at his team's training camp in South Africa this week.
Ghana captain Michel Essien, writing on his website, added: "The African Cup will be tough as usual and the World Cup even tougher but as a team we are confident in our own abilities and we will be fighting through all the stages."
The bulk of the players at the tournament are drawn from European clubs, with many of the world's top sides giving up key players for the month.
"We pay a lot of money to players who are not with you for two months," Portsmouth manager Avram Grant told a news conference last week.
Chelsea's Ivory Coast striker Didier Drogba is expected to command a lot of attention although the goal-scoring exploits of Inter Milan's Cameroonian Samuel Eto'o will also be closely followed.
Eto'o on Wednesday pledged to add to his record 16 goals scored in five previous tournaments.
