The African football jury seems to have settled on the 2008 Nations Cup being won by hosts Ghana, Ivory Coast, Nigeria or Cameroon.
But there has never been a tournament without a party pooper and Senegal could be the team to mock the form book and finally realise ambitions born eight years ago.

Indifferent group form was cast aside as the 'Teranga Lions' gave 2000 Cup co-hosts Nigeria a fright before losing 2-1 in a Lagos thriller with extra time needed to separate the combatants.
The 'Lions' gained revenge two years later, defeating Nigeria by the same score before losing to Cameroon in a caution-enveloped final settled by a penalty shootout in which half the 10 kicks failed to find the target.
Later in 2002 Senegal created headlines around the world by defeating World Cup title holders France in the opening match and added Sweden to their victims before a tiring team bravely bowed out in the quarter-finals.
Previously unknown outside their country, players like midfielder Pape Bouba Diop, called the 'Wardrobe' because of his huge physique, and striker El-Hadji Diouf became household names from Brussels to Buenos Aires.
Diouf created less favourable headlines at the 2004 Nations Cup in Tunisia as he was sent off for trying to attack the match officials after a stormy last-eight exit to the hosts on a foggy night.
Not considered serious candidates two years ago, Senegal squeezed into the knockout phase, upset Guinea and took hosts Egypt to the wire before making a gallant semi-finals exit.
Grouped with 2004 champions Tunisia, Angola and South Africa this time round, the 'Lions' better knowledge of West Africa conditions could give them a critical edge in what appears the tightest of four first round pools.
A place among the last four would then be in sight as Ghana, Ivory Coast, Nigeria and another potential surprise packet, Mali, reside in the opposite half of the draw.
With many of the 2002 team still available, Polish coach Henri Kasperczak must believe he can maintain a Nations Cup record of never failing to reach the last four in three attempts.
Senegal qualified for a fifth consecutive Nations Cup by topping a group including Mozambique, Tanzania and Burkina Faso with the crucial result a goalless draw in Maputo.