Currently facing severe food crisis partly due to drought, Niger’s government says it will not be able to totally foot the Mena's bills at the showpiece, hence the football federation’s call on supporters and companies for help. Local telephone networks have agreed on a deal with the FA and the government to impose a temporary tax of €0.015 on all outgoing calls from now till the end of the competition, which will be paid to the team. Niger will challenge co-hosts Gabon and North African giants Morocco and Tunisia in Group C ties played in Libreville. The Mena will begin their campaign against the Panthers on January 23 at the Stade de l'Amitié.