In 1996, South Africa’s Bafana Bafana etched their name in history, securing their first and so far, only AFCON title. Fast forward to 2024, with the tournament now featuring 24 nations, and the team is gearing up for a comeback in Group E alongside powerhouses Tunisia, Mali, and Namibia.
This AFCON journey comes with its share of challenges for a team that has missed four of the last seven tournaments. The competition in their group is intense, pitting them against Tunisia and Mali, teams with recent strong showings internationally.
For Bafana Bafana, advancing to the knockout stage isn’t just about the tournament; it’s a symbolic resurgence in international football. For this, coach Hugo Bross has crafted a 2024 squad blending seasoned players with fresh talent.
Despite setbacks like injuries and absentees, the team is embracing the challenge, starting their preparation early in January. Dynamic players like Ricardo Goss, Percy Tau, and Thapelo Morena inject excitement into the team’s strategy.
As they prepare for Ivory Coast’s hosting of the 2024 tournament, Bafana Bafana aims not only to win matches but to reclaim their dominance in African football. Follow their journey from January 13th to February 11th – it’s more than a series of games; it’s a narrative rewrite and a source of inspiration for the nation.
Leicester City manager Enzo Maresca has disclosed that Wilfred Ndidi, the Super Eagles midfielder, is sidelined due to injury, rendering him unavailable for AFCON and the Foxes’ upcoming matches.
Ndidi, a key player for Leicester City with 21 appearances, two goals, and five assists this season, will miss the FA Cup clash against Millwall. Unfortunately, the 27-year-old midfielder, initially named in Nigeria’s squad for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, had to withdraw due to a muscle injury.
Maresca stated that Ndidi’s recovery may extend to three months, marking a significant setback for the player who recently returned to top form after grappling with injuries in the past two seasons.
This injury comes as a blow to Ndidi, depriving him of the chance to participate in the AFCON tournament with Nigeria.
Arsenal’s Thomas Partey is grappling with a serious thigh injury, ruling him out of Ghana’s AFCON squad. Manager Mikel Arteta disclosed that the midfielder’s return is far from imminent, citing the nature of his long-term absence.
Partey’s turbulent season saw him adopt a new role as an inverted right-back early on, but a groin injury in September, followed by a thigh setback in October, has hindered his participation.
Arteta emphasized the necessity of exercising caution, stating, “It didn’t make sense for him to be involved with Ghana.” Black Stars boss Chris Hughton expressed disappointment, labeling Partey’s current injury as potentially the most significant of his career.
The midfielder has played a mere 341 minutes for Arsenal this season, last featuring in October against Chelsea. With Partey’s uncertain return, Arsenal is reportedly eyeing Everton’s Amadou Onana as a replacement.
However, Everton’s hefty asking price of £70-90m adds a layer of complexity to the potential transfer. Onana, acquired for £33m in 2022, could emerge as Partey’s successor in the Arsenal midfield. For the Black Stars however, they must find a way without their talisman.
In a bold statement, Zambia’s captain, Lubambo Musonda, expresses confidence in his team’s ability to clinch victory at the upcoming 2023 Africa Cup of Nations despite their absence from the last three tournaments.
The Chipolopolo, who surprised everyone with their 2012 AFCON triumph, are eager to make their mark once again. Musonda emphasises the significance of Zambia’s return to AFCON, noting the team’s resilience and determination.
While acknowledging they may not boast the biggest names, he believes in their fighting spirit. The captain remains positive about reaching the final and securing the championship. Recalling their historic 2012 victory under Herve Renard’s management, Musonda draws parallels to their current squad, expressing faith in their ability to overcome challenges.
Under the guidance of former Israel, Chelsea, and Ghana boss Avram Grant, Zambia is set to open their campaign against DR Congo on January 17. The team’s group stage fixtures include clashes with Tanzania on January 21 and a challenging encounter against Africa’s top-ranked side, Morocco, on January 24.
Striker Patson Daka, undeterred by the formidable opposition, sees the draw as “very interesting” and views it as an exciting challenge for a team with quality players. Daka, part of the Under-20 AFCON title-winning squad in 2017, emphasises the squad’s excitement and determination.
He views the tournament as a dream come true for many, aiming to bring pride to Zambia and make a lasting impact on their nation. Reflecting on past AFCON experiences, Daka stresses the importance of advancing from the group stage. Despite setbacks in previous editions, the team is eager to fight for success and restore pride to Zambia.
Daka, who netted five goals in AFCON qualifying (only 2023 African Footballer of the Year Victor Osimhen managed more), shares Musonda’s optimism and asserts that Zambia is not merely participating but contending for the championship.
With their eyes set on redemption, Zambia’s squad aims to create something extraordinary and celebrate success at the end of the tournament.
Côte d’Ivoire Football Association President Yacine Idriss Diallo expresses confidence in the country’s preparations for the upcoming African Cup of Nations, set to begin on January 13.
Hosting the event for the first time since 1984, Diallo emphasises the significance of the competition for Ivory Coast, highlighting the substantial investment and heartfelt dedication put into the organisation since 2014.
Diallo downplays the favoritism towards Nigeria’s Super Eagles, considering Morocco, Senegal, and Egypt as the frontrunners. Despite acknowledging that Ivory Coast is not the favorite, he trusts the team’s potential, noting the inclusion of young players in their first major competition.
Diallo aims for a strong squad and expresses determination to go as far as possible, aspiring to clinch the trophy.
“This event means a lot of things for our country, it’s a very important event. Since 2014, when it was decided that Ivory Coast would organise this competition, our country put in a lot of money,” Diallo told FourFourTwo magazine.
“But more than money, we put our heart in this organisation. And now I can say that we’re ready. We’re really ready. I can say that. I trust our team but we know that we are not favourite. The favourites are Morocco, Senegal, Egypt, all those teams,” Diallo said.
“We’re building a new team. If you see our team now, I think 30% are very young, it’s their first competition. But we will try to bring a very good squad to be ready. So we will try to do our best to go as far as possible and try to win the trophy. This is why we are here.”
