The 2024 African Cup of Nations tournament kicks off in Côte D’ivoire in just eight days. Twenty four nations will be vying for the most prestigious trophy in African football. Who are the contenders though, and who exactly are the dark horses?
Morocco emerge as a strong contenders, fuelled by their impressive FIFA ranking of 13th and a solid defensive record from their recent World Cup semi-final run.
Led by goalkeeper Yassine Bounou and key defensive midfield enforcer Sofyan Amrabat, if their defense maintains its current form, Morocco could clinch their first AFCON title in nearly 50 years!
Hosts Cote d’Ivoire, despite winning in 2015, face a challenging group with Nigeria, unbeaten in seven matches. Star striker Victor Osimhen, fresh from Napoli’s Serie A triumph, aims to lead Nigeria to their first AFCON title since 2013.
He will be ably supported by rising talents like Victor Boniface from Bayer Leverkusen and Ademola Lookman of Italian side Atalanta. The Super Eagles boast the most fearsome attack on the continent.
The Indomitable Lions of Cameroon cannot be discounted either. Led by legendary former defender Rigobert Song, the West Africans will be hoping to lift the trophy again after their last triumph in 2017 over Egypt. Vincent Aboubakar, topscorer at the last tournament remains with the squad.
Egypt are also contenders. Led by Mohamed Salah, the Pharaohs hope to end their fourteen year wait and secure victory. However, they face tough competition in Group B, despite Ghana missing key players in Thomas Partey and Tariq Lamptey.
North African teams dominate FIFA’s rankings, yet none have won the AFCON tournament south of the Sahara since 2010. Tunisia, facing a formidable group with Mali, South Africa, and Namibia, seek to improve on their recent tournament performances.
Algeria are perhaps the dark horses. The 2019 champions enter the competition unbeaten in 2023. Strengthened by Roma’s Houssem Aouar, they aim for success in a relatively weaker Group D alongside Burkina Faso, Mauritania, and Angola.
Senegal, the reigning champions from 2021 are of course up there with the favourites. They boast a strong squad with additions like Pape Sarr and Nicolas Jackson. Despite challenges in the group stage against Cameroon and in-form Guinea, they’re eyeing back-to-back AFCON titles.
Reflecting on Zambia’s underdog triumph in 2012, the tournament’s format allows surprises. With the best third-place teams advancing, any team can create a memorable run with a series of unexpected results. This edition promises excitement and potential surprises on the road to the knockout stages.
OGC Nice’s manager, Francesco Farioli, spoke to the media today ahead of their Coupe de France clash against Auxerre, shedding light on Terem Moffi’s absence from the final Super Eagles Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) squad.
Super Eagles coach Jose Peseiro opted for four center forwards in his roster, namely Victor Boniface, Victor Osimhen, Kelechi Iheanacho and Umar Sadiq. Controversy surrounds Moffi’s omission, with some arguing he deserved a spot over Sadiq, who has had inconsistent performances post a career-threatening injury last season.
Farioli acknowledged Moffi’s disappointment but emphasised the striker’s shift in focus towards the upcoming match against Auxerre. Despite missing out on the AFCON squad, Moffi remains a crucial part of OGC Nice’s lineup, described by Farioli as their “best recruit of January.”
Expressing his dual sentiments, Farioli stated, “On the one hand, regret because Terem Moffi cared a lot to represent his country, his family, and his friends. But on the other hand, he is our best recruit of January, and we are happy that he is with us.”
Farioli assured that Moffi has trained with a positive mindset, displaying determination and focus on contributing to the team’s success. The disappointment of missing out on AFCON has given way to a renewed commitment to upcoming challenges.
Moffi played a pivotal role in helping the Super Eagles of Nigeria secure qualification for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, netting two goals in three qualifying matches.
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has just announced a substantial 40% increase in the prize money for the 2023 TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) scheduled in Côte d’Ivoire from January 13 to February 11.
The champion of the TotalEnergies AFCON Côte d’Ivoire 2023 will now receive $7 million, a notable boost from the $5 million awarded to Senegal in 2021. The runner-up’s prize has also been elevated to $4 million, while each semi-finalist will now pocket $2.5 million, and quarter-finalists will receive $1.3 million each.
This announcement, made on Thursday, January 4, 2024, follows CAF’s earlier increase in the winner’s prize from $4.5 million to $5 million in 2021, when Senegal triumphed over Egypt in a penalty shootout.
According to CAF, this significant boost in prize money aims to heighten the competition’s intensity and elevate the stakes for the participating teams, promising an even more thrilling 2023 AFCON.
Dr. Patrice Motsepe, the President of CAF, expressed optimism, stating, “CAF has made significant progress over the past two years in increasing the Prize Money of the AFCON and all its other major competitions. We have increased the Prize Money of the AFCON Winner to 7,000,000, which is a 40% increase from the previous AFCON Prize Money.”
He continued, “I am confident that a portion of the Prize Money will contribute to developing football and also benefit all the football stakeholders, as well as assist our Member Associations with their administrations.”
Senegal will be looking to defend their Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) title when they head to Ivory Coast this month. The Teranga Lions are still favourites for the competition after their recent performances on the continent.
Aliou Cisse’s men beat Egypt 4-2 on penalties in the final of the last edition. Below are the complete squads for all participating nations for the 34th edition of the tournament, which culminates with the final on 11 February.
Algeria
Goalkeepers: Anthony Mandrea (Caen), Rais Mbolhi (CR Belouizdad), Oussama Benbot (USM Alger).
Defenders: Youcef Atal (Nice), Kevin van den Kerkhof (Metz), Rayan Ait Nouri (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Yasser Larouci (Sheffield United), Aissa Mandi (Villarreal), Mohamed Amine Tougai (Esperance Tunis), Ramy Bensebaini (Borussia Dortmund), Ahmed Touba (Lecce), Zineddine Belaid (USM Alger).
Defenders: Eddie Afonso, To Carneiro, Kinito (all Petro Atletico), Loide Augusto (Alanyaspor), Jonathan Buatu (Valenciennes), Nurio Fortuna (Gent), Kialonda Gaspar (Estrela Amadora).
Midfielders: Beni (Casa Pia), Estrela (Erzurumspor), Fredy (Eyupspor), Keliano Manuel (Estrela Amadora), Bruno Paz (Konyaspor) Show (Maccabi Haifa).
Attackers: Jeremie Bela (Clermont Foot), Gelson Dala (Al Wakrah), Zito Luvumbo (Cagliari), Mabululu (Al Ittihad), Felicio Milson (Maccabi Tel Aviv), Zine (AEK Athens), M’bala Nzola (Fiorentina).
Burkina Faso
Goalkeepers: Herve Koffi (Charleroi), Hillel Konate (Chateauroux), Kilian Nikiema (ADO Den Haag), Sebastien Tou (Sabadell).
Attackers: Vincent Aboubakar (Besiktas), Francois Regis Mughe (Marseille), Georges-Kevin Nkoudou (Damac), Clinton Njie (Sivasspor), Karl Toko Ekambi (Abha), Faris Moumbagna (Bodo/Glimt), Frank Magri (Toulouse).
Cape Verde
Goalkeepers: Vozinha (AS Trencin), Marcio Rosa (Anadia), Dylan Silva (Sintrense).
Defenders: Stopira (Boavista da Praia), Roberto ‘Pico’ Lopes (Shamrock Rovers), Diney (Al Bataeh), Dylan Tavares (Bastia), Logan Costa (Toulouse), Joao Correia (GD Chaves), Steven Moreira (Columbus Crew).
Midfielders: Jamiro Monteiro (San Jose Earthquakes), Kenny Rocha (AEZ Zakakiou), Patrick Andrade (Qarabag), Joao Paulo Fernandes (Sheriff Tiraspol), Deroy Duarte (Fortuna Sittard), Cuca (Uniao de Leiria), Kevin Pina (Krasnodar), Laros Duarte (Groningen).
Midfielders: Theo Bongonda (Spartak Moscow), Grady Diangana (West Bromwich Albion), Gael Kakuta (Amiens), Edo Kayembe (Watford), Samuel Moutoussamy (Nantes), Charles Pickel (Cremonese), Aaron Tshibola (Al Hatta).
Goalkeepers: Mohamed El Shenawy (Al Ahly), Ahmed El Shenawy (Pyramids), Gabaski (National Bank of Egypt), Mohamed Sobhi (Zamalek).
Defenders: Ahmed Hegazy (Al Ittihad), Mohamed Abdelmonem, Mohamed Hany (both Al Ahly), Ali Gabr, Osama Galal, Ahmed Samy, Mohamed Hamdy (all Pyramids), Omar Kamal (Future), Ahmed Fatouh (Zamalek).
Midfielders: Hamdi Fathi (Al Wakrah), Mohamed Elneny (Arsenal), Marwan Attia, Emam Ashour, Ahmed Nabil Koka (all Al Ahly), Zizo (Zamalek), Mahmoud Hamada (Al Masry).
Goalkeepers: Jesus Owono (Deportivo Alaves), Manuel Sapunga (Polokwane City), Aitor Embela (Soneja).
Defenders: Basilio Ndong (Universitatea Craiova), Carlos Akapo (San Jose Earthquakes), Hugo Buyla (Sampdoria), Charles Ondo (Huddersfield Town), Saul Coco (Las Palmas), Marvin Anieboh (Illescas), Nestor Senra (Real Aviles), Jose Elo (Merida), Esteban Orozco (Arges Pitesti).
Midfielders: Yannick Buyla (Logrones), Luis Nlavo (Brava B), Alex Balboa (Deportivo Alaves), Federico Bikoro (Club Africain), Iban Salvador (Ceuta), Jose Machin (Monza), Santiago Eneme (MFK Vyskov), Josete Miranda (Niki Volos), Pablo Ganet (Alcoyano), Federico Nguema (Balti).
Attackers: Noe Ela (Numancia), Jose Nabil (Cano Sport), Emilio Nsue (Intercity), Salomon Obama (Santa Coloma), Oscar Siafa (Alessandria).
The Gambia
To be announced.
Ghana
Goalkeepers: Lawrence Ati-Zigi (St Gallen), Richard Ofori (Orlando Pirates), Joe Wollacott (Hibernian).
Defenders: Daniel Amartey (Besiktas), Alexander Djiku (Fenerbahce), Abdul Fatawu Hamidu (Medeama), Gideon Mensah (Auxerre), Denis Odoi (Club Brugge), Nicholas Opoku (Amiens), Mohammed Salisu (Monaco), Kingsley Schindler (Samsunspor), Alidu Seidu (Clermont Foot).
Midfielders: Majeed Ashimeru (Anderlecht), Baba Iddrisu (Mallorca), Ransford Koningsdorffer (Hamburger SV), Mohammed Kudus (West Ham), Richmond Lamptey (Asante Kotoko), Elisha Owusu (Auxerre), Salis Abdul Samed (Racing Lens).
Attackers: Andre Ayew (Le Havre), Jordan Ayew (Crystal Palace), Ernest Nuamah (Lyon), Antoine Semenyo (Bournemouth), Jonathan Sowah (Medeama), Inaki Williams (Athletic Bilbao), Osman Bukari (Red Star Belgrade), Joseph Paintsil (Racing Genk).
Guinea
Goalkeepers: Aly Keita (Ostersunds), Moussa Camara (Horoya), Ibrahim Kone (Hibernians).
Defenders: Antoine Conte (Botev Plovdiv), Ibrahima Diakite (Reims), Issiaga Sylla (Montpellier), Sekou Sylla (SC Cambuur), Mouctar Diakhaby (Valencia), Julien Janvier (Kayserispor), Saidou Sow (Strasbourg), Mohamed Ali Camara (Young Boys).
Goalkeepers: Stanley Nwabili (Chippa United), Francis Uzoho (Omonia), Leke Ojo (Enyimba).
Defenders: William Troost-Ekong (PAOK), Bright Osayi-Samuel (Fenerbahce), Ola Aina (Nottingham Forest), Zaidu Sanusi (Porto), Bruno Onyemaechi (Boavista), Semi Ajayi (West Bromwich Albion), Calvin Bassey (Fulham), Chidozie Awaziem (Boavista), Kenneth Omeruo (Kasimpasa).
Midfielders: Alhassan Yusuf (Royal Antwerp), Raphael Onyedika (Club Bruges), Joe Aribo (Southampton), Frank Onyeka (Brentford), Alex Iwobi (Fulham).
Attackers: Kelechi Iheanacho (Leicester City), Samuel Chukwueze (AC Milan), Moses Simon (Nantes), Ademola Lookman (Atalanta), Victor Osimhen (Napoli), Victor Boniface (Bayer Leverkusen), Ahmed Musa (Sivasspor), Sadiq Umar (Real Sociedad).
Exciting winger Bertrand Traoré has been named in Burkina Faso’s squad for the highly anticipated Africa Cup of Nations. The seasoned player, with an impressive tally of over 70 caps for his country, is gearing up to join forces with the national team as they embark on their AFCON journey in Ivory Coast.
Burkina Faso find themselves placed in Group D for the tournament, marking the beginning of their campaign against Mauritania on Tuesday, January 16. Traoré’s dynamic skill set and experience on the international stage will undoubtedly be crucial as Burkina Faso aim to make a mark in the prestigious competition.
Following the opener, Traoré and his teammates are set to face a formidable challenge against Algeria on Saturday, January 20. The encounter promises to be a test of skill and strategy, with Burkina Faso looking to secure valuable points in the group stage.
As the AFCON action unfolds, Traoré’s contributions will be pivotal, especially in the clash against Angola scheduled for Tuesday, January 23. The winger’s ability to unlock defenses and create scoring opportunities adds an exciting dimension to Burkina Faso’s attacking prowess.
Fans and football enthusiasts will be eagerly watching as Traoré, known for his flair and goal-scoring prowess, aims to make a significant impact on Burkina Faso’s quest for success in the Africa Cup of Nations. Stay tuned for the thrilling moments that await as Traoré and his teammates strive for glory in Ivory Coast.
