2023 AFCON PREVIEW AND PREDICTIONS
The 2023 AFCON is the 34th edition of the tournament, hosted in the Ivory Coast.
Originally scheduled for the summer, it was postponed to January due to the hot summer.
The tournament will start on 13th January and end with the final on 11th February.
Below is my group predictions as well as final knockout stages
GROUP A
IVORY COAST
NIGERIA
EQUATORIAL GUINEA
GUINEA-BISSAU
With home-field advantage, I expect two-time champs Ivory Coast to top the group. This is their 25th appearance, the second most experienced nation in this tournament. However, they qualified as runners-up to Zambia. Players to look out for will be Haller & Pepe upfront. Kessie & Sangare in midfield, with Boly and captain Aurier at the back.
Three times champs Nigeria are my dark horses. Qualifying as group winners, two points from Guinea-Bissau. They are playing in their 20th tournament, the joint fifth experienced. They did not qualify for the last two but were runners-up in 2018. A talented squad with qualifier top scorer Osimhen. Also Boniface, Ndidi, Iwobi, Bassy & Ekong.
Equatorial Guinea qualified as runners-up via goal difference to Tunisia. Playing in their fourth tournament, they were fourth in 2015 and QF in 2021. Players to watch are captain Nsue up front, Salvador in midfield, Coco & Akapo at the back with Owono in goal.
Guinea-Bissau qualified for these finals as runners-up, just two points behind Nigeria. Playing in their fourth tournament, they have never been out of the group stages. Players to look out for are Balde & Gano up front, Rodriguez & Semedo in midfield also Djalo at the back, with Mendes in goal.
GROUP B
EGYPT
GHANA
CAPE VERDE
MOZAMBIQUE
Playing in their 26th finals, Egypt are the most experienced nation and most successful, with seven titles and three runners-up, including twice in the last three finals. They qualified top, five points from Guineu. With their fourth manager in four years, Salah will need the likes of Trezeguet, Hagazy, Elneny & Mostafa Mohammed.
Ghana have often flattered to deceive. The four-time champs are playing in their 24th tournament, the third most experienced, but their last win was in 1982. They qualified as group winners, three points from Angola. Their key players will be captain A.Ayew and his brother J.Ayew. The in from Kudus, Williams, Semenyo, Amartey and Menseh.
Cape Verde are playing in their fourth finals. Their best was QF’s in 2013. They qualified as runners-up, a point behind Burkina Faso. They thrive on an organised and structured system with athleticism throughout the team. Players to watch are captain Stopira, Pico & Tavares at the back, Santos in midfield with Bebe & Mendes up top.
Playing in their fifth finals, Mozambique failed to get out of the group on their previous four appearances. The last time was in 2010. They qualified as runners-up, four points behind Senegal. Their key players are captain, 40-year-old Domingues, with Guima in midfield. Mexer & Mandeva at the back with Catamo & Clesio up front.
GROUP C
SENEGAL
CAMEROON
GUINEA
GAMBIA
The holders have a real chance at back-to-back titles. Playing in their 17th tournament, the only way to top their first AFCON title in 2021 is to do it again. They were also runners-up in 2019. They qualified as group winners, four points from Mozambique. They will again look to star man Mane, also Mendy in goal, Koulibaly, Gueye, Sarr, Kouyate & Jackson.
Five-time winners Cameroon last won this in 2017. Playing in their 21st finals, the joint fourth experienced. They finished third in 2021, with only Egypt having a better record. They qualified top of their three-team group due to Kenya’s suspension, two points from Namibia. Key players are captain Aboubakar, Ekambi, Anguissa, Wooh and Onana in goal.
Guinea are playing in their 14th tournament. Their best finish was runner-up in 1976. They have managed to get out of the group in their last four finals. They qualified runners-up, five points behind Egypt. The hope is captain Keita can stay fit and in form. Other key players are star striker Guirassy, Sow & Sylla at the back and Moriba.
Playing in their second tournament ever, Gambia have now qualified for two in a row. The positive is in 2021, they reached the QFs. They qualified as runners-up, five points behind Mali, and are in a golden era of their history. Players to look out for are forwards Barrow, Jallow & Ceesay, Adams in midfield with Colley and Sanneh at the back.
GROUP D
ALGERIA
BURKINA FASO
ANGOLA
MAURITANIA
Algeria are one of the favourites, but the two-time champions are coming to an end of this era who triumphed in 2019. They qualified as group winners, a massive eight points from Tanzania. Playing in their 20th finals, the joint fifth most experienced, they will look to stars such as captain Mahrez, Bounedjah, Aouar, Fenghouli, Bennacer Atal and Mandi.
2013 runners-up Burkina Faso could be a dark horse. Playing in their 13th finals, they qualified top, just a point ahead of Cape Verde. In their last two finals, they have finished third in 2017 and fourth in 2021. Players to watch are forwards Traore and new star striker Ouattara. as well as Tapsoba, Kabore, and Sangare, with Koffi in goal.
Angola are playing in their ninth finals, they reached the QFs in 2008 & 2010, the only two times they got out of the group stages. They qualified as runners-up, three points behind Ghana. Their key players will be strikers Dala & Zini. In midfield, Show & Fredy, with Buatu at the back.
Mauritania are playing in their third tournament, their third in a row, the only finals they have ever qualified for. But are yet to make it out of the group stages. They qualified as runners-up, two points behind Congo. Key players are defenders Abeid & Yali. Midfielders Mahmood & Bodda and forwards Tanjy & Kamara.
GROUP E
TUNISIA
MALI
SOUTH AFRICA
NAMIBIA
Tunisia are playing in their 21st tournament, the joint fourth most experienced with one AFCON title in 2004. Since then, they have only been past the QFs once, a fourth in 2019. They qualified as winners via goal difference from Equatorial Guinea, conceding just one goal. Key men are captain Msakni, Sliti, Laidouni, Skhiri, Mariah and Abdi.
Mali are playing in their 13th finals. Their best was runner-up in 1972. They finished fourth three times, then third twice in 2012 and 2013. But in the last four finals, no further than the last 16. They qualified top, five points from Gambia. Players to watch are captain H.Traore and Sacko at the back. In midfield A.Traore & Bissouma with Koita up top.
South Africa’s Belgian coach Hugo Broos, who won the AFCON in 2017 with Cameroon, makes them unpredictable. They are playing in their 11th finals and won it in their first appearance in 1996. They qualified runners-up, two points behind Morocco. Their key men are Tau & Lepasa up front. Defenders Modiba & Xulu with Mokoena in midfield.
Underdogs Namibia are playing in their fourth tournament. In the previous three they have failed to make it out of the group. They qualified as runners-up in their three-team group due to Kenya’s suspension, just two points behind Cameroon. Their main players to watch are strikers Hotto & Shulalile. Midfielders Shitembi & Kamatuka with Haoseb and Gebhardt at the back.
GROUP F
MOROCCO
ZAMBIA
DR CONGO
TANZANIA
After their World Cup exploits, Morocco aim for a second AFCON title after their 1976 win. Since being runners-up in 2004, In seven finals, they’ve not been past the QFs. They qualified top, two points from South Africa. Key players are Bounou in goal, Saiss and Hakimi at the back, Amrabat & Harit with Ziyech, Boufal and En-Nesyri up top.
Zambia surprised all by winning it in 2012. Playing in their 18th finals, This is their first since 2015, when they failed to make it out of the group then, and in 2013. However, they surprisingly qualified top, via goal difference from Ivory Coast. Key players are Daka & Bada upfront. In midfield captain Musonda with Sunzu & Kebwe at the back.
Two-time champs DR Congo are playing in their 20th finals, the joint fifth experienced. Their last win was in 1974. Their previous three finals read third, QFs and last 16. They qualified top, two points from Mauritania. Key players are forwards Wissa, Bakumbu & Elia. Moutoussamy in midfield with captain Mbemba at the back.
Tanzania are playing in their third finals but yet to make it out the group. They previously qualified at their first attempt in 2009, then again in 2020. They qualified as runners-up, eight points behind Algeria but a point ahead of Uganda. Players to watch are forwards Samatta & Msuva, Salum & Mkani in midfield, defender Job, Manula in goal.
AFCON KNOCKOUT STAGE PREDICTIONS
Quater Finals
Cameroon vs Algeria
Ghana vs Morocco
Egypt vs Ivory Coast
Tunisia vs Senegal
Semi Finals
Algeria vs Morocco
Ivory Coast vs Senegal
Final
Morocco vs Senegal
Winner
Senegal
