Mali coach Alain Giresse heaped praise on the Egyptian National team performance and its star Mohamed Salah describing him as one of the best players in the continent.
The 25-year-old Roma winger has made headlines with his dazzling performances in the Italian Serie for two years .
He was shortlisted for 2016 African player of the year award, which was won by Algerian forward Riyad Mahrez.
Mali, who were drawn in Group D along with Ghana, Egypt and Uganda, will open their Nations Cup campaign with a tough clash against Egypt on Tuesday.
"The Egyptian side are a very strong team and they have many good players, especially Mohamed Salah who is one of the best players in the continent," Giresse told French magazine Jeune Afrique on Monday.
"It is a team that concedes few goals."
Despite being paired with two continental giants such as Ghana and Egypt, Giresse believes that his side have a real chance to compete in this tough group.
"Everyone thinks that Egypt and Ghana are the Group's favorite. It is logical, but the competition will be open and we will do our best to keep our chances alive in this tough group."
"We ended the 2012 and 2013 editions in the third place. This time let's go through the first round."