Hands up those who know what is happening to the qualifying competition for the 2000 African Nations Cup. Okay, both of you can put your hands down now and take a bow.
Zimbabwe, awarded the right to host the first showcase of African football in the new millennium, has lost the tournament because it did not meet deadlines for stadia reconstruction and government guarantees against financial loss.
Replacing them as hosts are Ghana and Nigeria, who look set to become the first co- hosts of the event since it kicked off on a dusty Sudanese pitch 42 years ago.
Each country will stage 16 matches between January 23 and February 13 with 12 first- round matches, two quarter-finals and one semi-final with Ghana hosting the third place play-off and Nigeria the final.
Ghana has welcomed the plan while Nigeria seems notably cooler about the idea with national football federation secretary general Sani Toro saying: “We bid for the tournament, but not to co-host.”
An unnamed Nigerian government official (believed to be a Cabinet minister) has described the co-hosting as an “insult” to his country. While Ghana may have battled as solo hosts, Nigeria certainly could go it alone.
Assuming Nigeria agree to co-hosting, they will automatically qualify for the finals with Ghana and defending champions Egypt, leaving 13 qualifying places up for grabs.
Here is the group-by-group situation at the halfway stage of a qualifying competition that has seen Bafana Bafana defeat Angola 1-0 and Gabon 4-1 at home and draw 1-1 in Mauritius to lead Group 4.
Group 1
The withdrawal of Ghana leaves Cameroon (four points) on top followed by Mozambique (three) and Eritrea (one). The winners qualify while the runners-up take on the Group 5 runners-up and Zimbabwe in a separate mini-league.
A Mozambique team containing several South African-based stars, like striker Manuel Bucuane from Jomo Cosmos, ran Cameroon close in Yaounde and would stand a good chance of finishing first if they can reverse that result on April 11.
Group 2
Another pool reduced to three teams in which mighty Morocco (four points) are certain qualifiers while Togo (three) and Guinea (one) fight for the other place.
War-torn Sierra Leone have been disqualified after fulfilling only one of three fixtures and the visit of Togo to Guinea will decide who accompanies the star-studded Moroccans.
Group 3
Congo are the shock pacesetters with seven points followed by Cte d’Ivoire (six), Mali (one) and Namibia (none). Although Mali and Namibia have a match in hand, there is a considerable gap for them to bridge.
The Congolese have scored only two goals in three matches, but a defence that has yet to concede even one has set up the Red Devils for a first finals appearance in seven years.
Group 4
It comes as no surprise that the 1996 champions and 1998 runners-up South Africa are out in front with seven points; it comes as a great surprise that Mauritius (four) occupy second place.
This unexpected situation came after the Indian Ocean islanders defied logic with a 2- 0 triumph in Angola, where much stronger national teams have left empty-handed. Angola and Gabon have three points each.
Group 5
With Nigeria dropping out, Burkina Faso seem the best bet to finish first having drawn in Senegal and won in Burundi. The Burundians are known as the Swallows and captained by Moroka Swallows defender Debo Kitenge.
The runners-up join the Group 1 runners-up and Zimbabwe in a mini-league to decide the final qualifier, and German-coached Senegal appear marginal favourites to advance.
Group 6
This is a “normal” pool of four teams – Zambia, Madagascar, Democratic Republic of Congo, Kenya – and two qualifying places at stake. Zambia are virtually certain to claim one after wins in Antananarivo and Nairobi.
Congo, shock bronze medalists at the 1998 finals in Burkina Faso, should join them despite a 3-1 defeat in Madagascar. Kenya have disappointed under Nigerian coach Christian Chukwu and are out of contention with just one point.
Group 7
Tunisia boast the only 100% record after victories over Liberia (home), Algeria (away) and Uganda (home) and can begin preparing for a visit to West Africa next year.
Who accompanies them is less obvious with Liberia wasting a good chance to go clear when held 1-1 at home by Algeria with injured star George Weah watching from the stands.