Jon Mackenzie is joined by Maher Mezahi and Alasdair Howorth to preview AFCON 2023 in Cote d’Ivoire. Discussing groups to watch, players to watch, and why people should be excited for the tournament.
Group C promises intense matches and intriguing rivalries between Senegal, Cameroon, Guinea, and Gambia.
Group F offers both unpredictable matches and the potential for upsets with Morocco, DR Congo, Zambia, and Tanzania.
Senegal, Ivory Coast, Morocco, and Egypt are the tournament favorites expected to compete for the title and showcase their strength on the African stage.
Deep dives
Group C: Senegal, Cameroon, Guinea, and Gambia
Group C features a strong lineup with Senegal, Cameroon, Guinea, and Gambia. Senegal, the defending champions, are a team in transition, with a mix of experienced players and promising youngsters. Cameroon has a history of performing well in Afcons and possesses a solid squad. Guinea showcases a talented midfield and attack, with players like Amadou Diauwara and Mohamed Bayo. Gambia, the underdogs, have shown they can compete with the best and have a strong defensive foundation. Group C promises intense matches and intriguing rivalries between these West African nations.
Group F: Morocco, DR Congo, Zambia, and Tanzania
Group F brings together Morocco, DR Congo, Zambia, and Tanzania. Morocco, the favorites, have an organized style of play and a strong midfield, but questions linger about their goalkeeping. DR Congo and Zambia, neighboring countries, have a history of rivalry and will bring their competitive spirit to the group. Tanzania, known for its exciting domestic league, has a chance to make an impact with their talented young players. Group F offers both unpredictable matches and the potential for upsets.
Favourites: Senegal, Ivory coast, Morocco, and Egypt
Among the tournament favorites are Senegal, Ivory Coast, Morocco, and Egypt. Senegal, as the defending champions, boasts a mix of experienced players and promising talents. Ivory Coast showcases a solid team with skillful midfielders and attackers, while Morocco has a well-organized style of play but faces doubts in possession. Egypt, a consistent performer in recent Afcons, has a coherent team with a successful core of players. These teams are expected to compete for the title and showcase their strength on the African stage.
Egypt's Scrappy Style of Football
Egypt's success in the Africa Cup of Nations is attributed to their understanding of the need to play scrappily in midfield and utilize their talented front line. They have learned from past mistakes of playing an ugly brand of football and are now focused on being more creative and cohesive. With players like Mohammed Salah, Mohammed Mustafa, and Trezeguet, they have a skilled frontline. However, their success in the tournament will depend on their ability to avoid over-reliance on Salah and develop a more balanced attack.
The Influence of European-based Players in African Squads
The impact of having players who play at the highest level in Europe for African national teams can vary. While some players like Victor Osimhen from Nigeria have performed exceptionally well after playing in Europe, others have struggled to replicate their club success at the international level. It is important to evaluate players based on their performance for the national team rather than solely on their club form. The example of Sadio Mane evolving into a leader for Senegal highlights the growth and transformation that can occur during international tournaments.