Photo credit:ย Business Day
The African Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2023/24, set to kick off shortly in Ivory Coast, brings together the top 24 African football teams in a quest for the coveted title. With the tournament fast approaching, certain teams stand out among the pack as strong contenders, each with a unique blend of history, talent, and aspirations for victory.
Ivory Coast
As the host nation, Ivory Coast’s impressive track record, with two previous AFCON victories including their 2015 triumph, establishes them as formidable contenders, raising expectations for a stellar performance on home soil in AFCON 2023/24. However, they must brace themselves for tough competition, as rival teams are poised to challenge their quest for success in the tournament.ย
Senegal
Defending champions Senegal enters the tournament with momentum, having secured the title in the previous edition. Led by the exceptional Sadio Mane, their squad boasts a mix of seasoned veterans and promising young talents honed in top European leagues. With their recent success and strong tournament history, Senegal stands as a formidable frontrunner eyeing another title.
Egypt
Egypt, a powerhouse in African football, holds the record for the most AFCON trophies, highlighting their storied legacy of seven titles. Led by the influential Mohamed Salah, known for his standout performances for Premier League side Liverpool, Egypt enters the 2023/24 tournament with aspirations to add to their impressive collection of titles and leave a lasting mark.
Cameroon
Cameroon, the second most successful AFCON team with five trophies, secured their last victory in 2017. Their third-place finish in the previous tournament fuels their determination to clinch the title this time around.
Led by veteran and captain Aboubakar Vincent, alongside talents like Manchester United goalkeeper Andre Onana, Cameroon enters AFCON 2023/24 with high hopes, aiming for a strong campaign and eyeing yet another triumph to add to their illustrious history in African football.
Nigeria
Nigeria, with a rich history of three titles, enters AFCON 2023/24 bolstered by standout players like Victor Osimhen, who ended 2023 with an impressive 31 goals for Napoli. Their blend of experience and youthful talent positions them as strong contenders, aiming to clinch victory in the tournament.
Morocco
Following their remarkable journey to the semi-finals in the 2022 World Cup, Morocco redirects their attention towards AFCON 2023/24 with ambitions to exceed their quarter-final barrier and leave a lasting mark in the tournament.
Led by Walid Regragui, the team aims for a notable performance. Packed with exceptional talents like Achraf Hakimi, Hakim Ziyech, Noussari Mazraoui, and Sofyan Amrabat, Morocco’s roster showcases a blend of skill and potential that sets the stage for a promising campaign in the upcoming competition.
While these teams take the spotlight, several dark horses lurk, aiming to defy expectations and make their mark in the tournament.
South Africa
South Africa, despite their last AFCON victory dating back to 1996, has shown promising signs of resurgence. Under Hugo Broos’ leadership, the team enjoyed a 12-game unbeaten streak before a surprising defeat to Rwanda during the FIFA World Cup qualifiers in November last year.ย
Ghana
Ghana, boasting four AFCON titles in their history, last claimed victory in 1982. Despite this legacy, Ghana has finished as runners-up five times, including their most recent appearance in the 2015 tournament. This history of near misses fuels their eagerness to go the distance and reclaim the title, adding to the heightened anticipation and competition already surrounding AFCON 2023/24.
Burkina Faso
Burkina Faso, while not among the top favourites, boasts a recent tournament track record that positions them as potential dark horses. Having reached the semi-finals in three out of four previous tournaments, they carry the spirit of underdogs, aiming to surprise once more on the grand stage of AFCON 2023/24.
The AFCON 2023/24 tournament, scheduled to commence soon, promises intense competition, strategic battles, and the thrill of witnessing the best of African football talent vying for continental glory. As teams gear up for the tournament, anticipation builds among football enthusiasts eager to witness the unfolding drama and standout performances on the field.
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