By: Nana Kwame Bediako
All is set for the 34th edition of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), scheduled to take place in Côte d’Ivoire on January 13, 2024.
The AFCON football competition showcases Africa’s most glamorous teams to the rest of the world.
Côte d’Ivoire will be hosting 23 other African countries during the 2023 AFCON who will be competing for the ultimate trophy.
Côte d’Ivoire, the host nation, will be looking to make a strong statement as they are prepared to do the host and win. The powerhouses of African football in the likes of Egypt, Cameroon, Ghana, Nigeria, Algeria, Senegal, Morocco, and Tunisia are also lacing their boots to silence the “13” man squad of the Ivoirian team.
Below are some participating countries and their team profiles.
Côte d’Ivoire
Team profile:
Best finish: Champions (1992 and 2015)
Appearance: 25 (First in 1965)
Most represented player: Didier Zokora (123)
Top scorer: Didier Drogba (65 goals)
Captain: Serge Aurier
Notable players to watch:
Sabastien Haller: Sabastien Haller will be leading the Ivorian national team as their main striker. Haller has been impressive with his club, Dortmund, but was eventually slowed down by cancer. As a warrior, he played against the odds and got back stronger.
Simon Adingra: The young Ivorian has been an emerging prospect with his club, Brighton. Adingra will be playing in his first senior tournament with the Ivorian national team.
Senegal
Team profile:
Best finish: Champions (2021)
Appearance: 16
Most represented player: Idrissa Gana Gueye (102).
Top scorer: Sadio Mane (39 goals)
Captain: Kalidou Koulibaly
Notable players to watch:
Sadio Mane: Mane has been a leading force for Senegal in the last few years, playing an important role as the Terenga Lions won their first-ever AFCON trophy in the 33rd edition. Mane, who won player of the tournament in the last edition, will be looking forward to repeating a similar story.
Edouard Mendy: Mendy in the year 2021 had a remarkable season, winning the AFCON and Champions League with both Senegal and Chelsea respectfully. The Senegalese goalkeeper was also named the goalkeeper of the tournament in the 33rd edition.
Cameroon
Team profile:
Best finish: Champions (1984, 1988, 2000, 2002, and 2017)
Appearance: 20
Most represented player: Rigobert Song (137)
Top scorer: Samuel Eto’o (56 goals)
Captain: Vincent Aboubakar
Notable players to watch:
Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa: Anguissa is one of the individuals who can stabilise any team midfield with his physicality and tactically timed delivery of the ball. The midfielder played a vital role in Napoli’s last season’s title-winning campaign.
Vincent Aboubakar: The experienced forward will be Cameroon’s firepower in the AFCON, as he has always been in the previous tournament for the Indomitable Lions. He will be looking to yet another history since his decisive goal in the 2017 AFCON finals.
Algeria
Team profile:
Best finish: Champions (1990 and 2019)
Appearance: 19
Most represented player: Lakhdar Belloumi (100)
Top Scorer: Islam Silimani (45 goals)
Captain: Riyad Mahrez
Notable players to watch:
Riyad Mahrez: The former Manchester City player will be a force to be reckoned with in the AFCON. Mahrez is a well-drilled, skilled player who is good at making a difference for his team, both national and club.
Mohammed Amoura: Mohammed Amoura should be a big attraction to fans in the AFCON, as his quality as a midfielder gives his team some freedom to keep possession in the middle of the pitch.
Egypt
Team profile:
Best finish: Champions (1957, 1959, 1986, 1998, 2006, 2008, 2010)
Appearance: 25
Most represented player: Ahmed Hassan (184)
Top Scorer: Hossam Hassan (69 goals)
Captain: Mohammed Salah
Notable Players to watch:
Mohammed Salah: Mohammed has been a household name in Africa and World football for some years now. Salah’s quality and experience heading into the AFCON give the Pharaohs a huge boost going forward.
Omar Marmoush: Omar Marmoush, who plays for Eintracht Frankfurt in the German Bundesliga, is one of the key players to watch in the AFCON. The young chap can play as a left-winger and sometimes as a striker, with superb speed and excellent dribbling.
Ghana
Team profile:
Best finish: Champions (1963, 1965, 1978, and 1982)
Appearance: 23
Most represented player: Dede Ayew (115)
Top Scorer: Asamoah Gyan (51 goals)
Captain: Dede Ayew
Notable players to watch:
Mohammed Kudus: Kudus will be making his debut AFCON appearance with the Black Stars. The West Ham midfielder has quickly become one of the African talents, delivering some impressive performances day in and day out.
Inaki Williams: The Bilboa man will be having a feel of the AFCON for the first time. Inaki picked up some good form as the year drew to a close last year. His ability to distribute the ball into the box and find small pockets in the 18-year will be crucial for the Black Stars.
Nigeria
Team profile:
Best finish: Champions (1980, 1994 and 2013)
Appearance: 20
Most represented player: Ahmed Musa(108)
Top scorer: Rashidi Yekini (37 goals)
Captain: Ahmed Musa
Notable players to watch:
Victor Osimhen: Victor Osimhen will be heading into the AFCON as the best player in Africa. The Napoli striker will be tasked with leading Nigeria to their fourth trophy. The striker’s ability to score goals gives Nigeria the advantage to go far.
Ademola Lookman: The Atalanta striker has been blazing with his performances in Seria A. Lookman is a very good goal scorer who will be looking to cause problems for his opponents.
Morocco
Team profile:
Best finish: Champions (1976)
Appearance: 20
Most represented player: Noureddine Naybet (115)
Top scorer: Ahmed Faras (36 goals)
Captain: Roman Saiss
Notable players to watch:
Achraf Hakimi: Hakimi is one of the most versatile fallbacks in the game. The PSG left-back ability to score goals from the fallback position is something most national teams look at before going against the Atlas Lions.
Azzedine Ounahi: Ounahi was one of the breakthrough stars in the 2022 World Cup. The midfielder was everywhere for the Atlas Lions, as his contribution got Morocco to the semifinals of the World Cup. He will be looking forward to causing yet another history at the AFCON 2023.