Preparation for the Africa Cup of Nations is rarely serene, but the build-up to the 2021 tournament -- now scheduled for 2022 -- has been like no other.
The last four tournaments have all undergone major changes to scheduling and/or venue, due to varying reasons such as the Ebola crisis, the Libyan Civil war, scheduling shifts and unfavourable climate conditions, but the COVID-19 pandemic has understandably altered the programme yet again.
While the tournament has now been pushed back 12 months from January-February 2021, teams now have the opportunity to resume the qualifying campaign after almost a year of hiatus, with the previous qualifiers played on November 18 2019 -- when the world felt like a very different place.
Here's how the groups are looking heading into this week's crucial double-header, as the 24-team field for Cameroon 2022 will begin to take shape.
Group A
Favourites to advance, Guinea and Mali could move within touching distance with home victories over Chad and Namibia respectively in gameweek three.
Certainly, the West African duo should be fancied to get the job done over the course of this international break, although Liverpool fans will be watching on anxiously if and when Naby Keita takes to the field.
His start to last season was overshadowed after sub-optimal preparation following Guinea's decision to rush him back for the Africa Cup of Nations, and he contracted the coronavirus during the last international break.
Mali, who thumped Ghana 3-0 during the recent international friendlies, have the potential to be surprise packages of this next African cycle.
Group standings: Guinea (4 points), Mali (4), Namibia (3), Chad (3)
Group B
Johnny McKinstry has been made to wait to build on Uganda's momentum following the progress made under Milutin Sredojevic and Sebastien Desabre, but he'll get the opportunity when the Cranes return to action with this week's pair of bouts against minnows South Sudan.
Expect the East Africans to take a grip on top spot across this international break, while Afcon 2017 bronze medallists Burkina Faso -- on the comeback trail after missing out on 2019 -- can consolidate their spot in the top two positions when they meet Malawi.
The Flames can be a threat on their day, but Orlando Pirates striker Gabadinho Mhango is a massive loss after missing out due to a groin injury.
Group standings: Uganda (4), Burkina Faso (4), Malawi (3), South Sudan (0)
Group C
Of group heavyweights Ghana and South Africa, it's Bafana Bafana who have the easier assignment this week as they meet tiny Sao Tome e Principe.
However, Molefi Ntseki's plans have been devastated in the build-up to the fixture - six players pulled out due to 'medical reasons' including Andile Jali and Thulani Serero -- but even with the late reshuffle, the 1996 champions should have enough.
Certainly, Ntseki will be desperate to avoid a repeat of the 2018 0-0 draw against the Seychelles, when Bafana were worryingly neutralised by island minnows.
Ghana coach C.K. Akonnor has reintroduced a series of familiar faces to the squad ahead of the clashes with Sudan, and he certainly needs a response from his players following last month's dismal 3-0 defeat by Mali.
The subsequent 5-1 victory over Qatar could not mask the side's structural deficiencies, and the loss of Thomas Partey through injury is a major blow.
Group standings: Ghana (6), South Africa (3), Sudan (3), Sao Tome e Principe (0)
Group D
One of the most open groups of the entire campaign, Gabon and the Democratic Republic of Congo have the quality, but the former are beset by chronic instability and the latter appear to be on the downward slide after their recent re-emergence.
For the Panthers, much will depend on whether returning duo Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Mario Lemina can galvanise the squad, but they're up against Tom Saintfiet's plucky Gambian underdogs, who have already written history under the Belgian coach.
Don't be surprised if it's the Scorpions who take major steps towards Cameroon this week, while neither the DRC nor point-less Angola can afford to slip up in their pair of fixtures.
Group standings: The Gambia (4), Gabon (4), DR Congo (2), Angola (0)
Group E
Silky Morocco are still truly finding their feet and re-establishing their identity under Vahid Halilhodzic, the experienced ex-Ghana coach who replaced Herve Renard in August 2019, and their games against the Central African Republic should help establish whether they are going to be contenders over the coming years or if they will return to their standing as one of Africa's great underachievers.
Expect the former from a talented squad brimming with options.
Mauritania have taken major strides in recent years, and their combination of rugged physicality and a touch of invention in the final third should help them against Burundi, who have regressed since a maiden Afcon qualification last year.
Group standings: Morocco (4), Mauritania (4), Central African Republic (3), Burundi (0)
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Group F
Unlike the other pools, only one team can qualify from Group F, with hosts Cameroon already assured of their place at the tournament.
The 2017 champions' title credentials will be tested in a pair of matches against Mozambique -- unbeaten so far -- with the results counting towards the Mambas' qualification hopes.
The Lusophone nation haven't reached the Afcon since 2010, but with Cameroon looking vulnerable -- and short of ideas up front under Toni Conceicao - they appear well placed to end their wait.
After dropping points against Mozambique last year, both Rwanda and Cape Verde must assert their dominance when they meet.
Group standings: Mozambique (4), Cameroon (hosts) (4), Cape Verde (2), Rwanda (0)
Group G
Group G was arguably the most intriguing of all 12 pots during gameweeks one and two, as Egypt, still reeling after their poor showing on home soil at the 2019 event, were held at home by Kenya and then away at the Comoros.
It's hard to know which result was poorer for Mohamed Salah's Pharaohs, and the pressure will be cranked up on Hossam El Badry if he can't mastermind positive results against Togo.
Comoros and Kenya, unlikely occupants of positions one and two, will both recognise the scale of the opportunity opening up ahead of them.
Wary of an Egyptian renaissance during the second half of the campaign, they'll likely need to secure home victories during this window, but their strong results against the Pharaohs last year will boost confidence that they can get over the line.
Group standings: Comoros (4), Kenya (2), Egypt (2), Togo (1)
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Group H
Any hopes Zambia had of putting a miserable 2019 Afcon qualifying campaign behind them -- they were arguably the biggest nation to miss out on Egypt -- evaporated as they were demolished 5-0 by Algeria a year ago, with four goals coming during a disastrous second-half.
They followed that up with a nightmare 2-1 home defeat by Zimbabwe, and it's imperative they respond strongly against Botswana if the 2012 champions are to keep their slight qualification hopes alive.
They certainly have the quality, but even before Patson Daka was lost to injury, Micho had his work cut out.
Expect entertaining fare between reigning champions Algeria and Zimbabwe, both of whom love to attack and take the game to their opponents.
Group standings: Algeria (6), Zimbabwe (4), Botswana (1), Zambia (0)
Group I
There's intrigue aplenty around Senegal's double-header with Guinea-Bissau this weekend, with these two neighbours and sharing a tight cultural bond.
It will also be a memorable week for Chelsea new boy Edouard Mendy, who once appeared close to representing Guinea-Bissau at the behest of his Bissau-Guinean father, but ultimately rejected them for the Teranga Lions.
Senegal should have the quality -- particularly in Sadio Mane and Boulaye Dia -- to dispatch their rivals, although the outsiders, qualifiers in 2017 and 2019, should not be underestimated.
Congo-Brazzaville can take a giant step towards Cameroon if they conquer minnows Eswatini in their meetings.
Group standings: Senegal (6), Congo (3), Guinea-Bissau (3), Eswatini (0)
Group J
Group leaders Tunisia's double-header with Tanzania has the potential to be the showdown of the week, and expect goals when these two meet.
The Carthage Eagles have impressed so far; routing Libya in Rades before downing Equatorial Guinea in Malabo, and four points this window could all but confirm their place in Cameroon.
Tanzania's defeat away in Libya in late 2019 opens the door for either the Mediterranean Knights or the Nzalang Nacional to sneak into the top two positions if they get the upper hand in their pair of meetings.
Group standings: Tunisia (6), Libya (3), Tanzania (3), Equatorial Guinea (0)
Group K
Ivory Coast were the overwhelming favourites to win Group K when the pools were drawn, but November's unexpected defeat by Ethiopia in Bahir Dar means they've sat uncomfortably in third place for the last 12 months.
Incoming coach Patrice Beaumelle oversaw an encouraging 1-1 draw with Belgium in October, as well as an uninspiring defeat by Japan, and he will be wary ahead of this week's double-header with Madagascar.
The island nation were the surprise package of 2019 Afcon qualifying -- and the tournament itself as they reached the final eight -- and have taken maximum six points from their opening two matches.
This double-header has all the makings of a potential giant-killing, and could leave the Elephants with much to do to reach Cameroon.
Group standings: Madagascar (6), Ethiopia (3), Ivory Coast (3), Niger (0)
Group L
Nigeria's Super Eagles currently lead the way after two matches, having taken six points with victories over Benin and Lesotho.
They'll be desperate to put October's underwhelming international break -- and that comfortable defeat by Algeria -- behind them with two strong showings against Sierra Leone, who have caused the West African giants problems in the past.
Benin, so impressive at the last Afcon, as they dispatched Morocco en route to the quarterfinals, meet Lesotho in a double-header that could send them to Cameroon this week.
Group standings: Nigeria (6), Benin (3), Lesotho (1), Sierra Leone (1)