Equatorial Guinea hosted and won the last AWC in 2008
Nigeria are seeking to reclaim the Africa Women's Championship title as the tournament starts on Sunday.
The Super Falcons are the favourites for the competition in South Africa having won seven editions with Equatorial Guinea winning the other.
South Africa are keen on emulating Equatorial Guinea who won the tournament they hosted two years ago.
They have an arduous task as they have been drawn in Group A to face Nigeria and Mali.
Bayana Bayana will be hoping for a flying start when they open the tournament with the game against Twiga Stars of Tanzania.
South Africa coach Augustine Makalakalane says their recent emphatic victory over the Tanzanians in a friendly has given them the confidence that they will hit the ground running.
"Banyana Banyana outplayed Tanzania 6-0 in a friendly international at the Huntersfield stadium near Johannesburg in July, so we know quite a bit about their style of play," Makalakalane said.
The Twiga Stars have taken their preparation seriously, holding a training camp in the United States to avoid any heavy defeats.
GROUP A
South Africa (hosts)
Tanzania
Nigeria
Mali
Tanzania manager Rahma Al-Kharoosi says their pre-tournament camp has given his side the needed confidence for the competition.
"The camp in the United States has given them exposure and experience to do well in the event," Al-Kharoosi said.
Nigeria are tipped as the favourites to regain the crown that they have been so accustomed to winning.
The Super Falcons will field seven players from the team that reached the semi-final of the recent U20 Women's Wold Cup.
Striker Ebere Orji, voted one of the 10 best players at that tournament is one of those who has been drafted in to play in a squad boasting experienced players such as Stella Mbachu, Perpetua Nkwocha and Rita Chickwelu.
GROUP B
Equatorial Guinea (holders)
Cameroon
Algeria
Ghana
Equatorial Guinea have been drawn in Group B where they will play Ghana, Algeria and Cameroon.
The title holders will start the defence of their title against Cameroon on Tuesday and will finish their group matches with a clash against the Black Queens of Ghana on 8 November.
The Black Queens prepared for the tournament in Germany ending with emphatic wins against two German league sides.
Confidence in the Ghana camp is high, as ex-captain Adjoa Bayor is back in the squad after a two-year absence from international football.
The tournament, to be hosted in the Ekurhuleni Municipality, will feature two groups with the top two teams advancing to the last four.
The winners of the semi-final matches will qualify for the Women's World Cup to be held in Germany next year and compete in the continental final on 14 November at the Sinaba Stadium.
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