The 2012 Africa Cup of Nations was an international football tournament held in Equatorial Guinea and Gabon from 21 January until 12 February 2012. The 16 national teams involved in the tournament were required to register a squad of 23 players; only players in those squads were eligible to take part in the tournament.[1]
The deadline for participating associations to submit their squad was 11 January 2012 (midnight CET). Replacement of seriously injured players was permitted until 24 hours before the team in question's first Africa Cup of Nations match.[1]
Should an association miss the deadline, it will be fined US$10,000. Only 21 players were allowed to register for the competition if the registration was received after 14 January 2012.[1]