Mamelodi Sundowns coach, Rulani Mokwena, has shared his insights on the Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) 2023, identifying Ivory Coast, Nigeria, Morocco, Egypt, Ghana, and Senegal as formidable contenders to progress to the quarterfinals and beyond. With extensive experience in coaching Champions League football, Mokwena expressed confidence in his selections, citing their tournament pedigree.

Mokwena emphasized Nigeria’s perennial status as favorites due to their roster of top players, acknowledging their resilience in tournament play. He also highlighted Morocco’s potential success, citing their strong squad and impressive World Cup performance. Egypt, with their championship pedigree, was deemed a significant threat, while Mokwena tipped Ghana and Senegal as strong contenders, expecting Ivory Coast to secure a spot in the last eight.

In addition to identifying competitive teams, Mokwena singled out players he believes will make a significant impact at the tournament. Victor Osimhen received praise for his goal-scoring prowess and confidence leading the attack. Mokwena also highlighted the talents of Achraf Hakimi and Mohammed Kudus as game-changers capable of influencing match outcomes.

Expressing expectations for Bafana Bafana, Mokwena acknowledged the tough group they are in, facing former champions Tunisia, Mali, and Namibia. Despite the challenge, Mokwena expressed optimism for South Africa’s national team, especially with the presence of players like Peter Shalulile. He expressed a hope that both South Africa and Namibia would progress to the final, reflecting his support for the teams with South African representation.