Thekickoff for 33rd edition of the AFCON is less than 100 days away,its time to meet the favourites.
ALGERIA
Reigning champions,the Algerian’s have a very strong squad with players like Said Benrahma (West Ham),Adam Ounas (Napoli),Ismael Bennacer (AC Milan),Islam Slimani (Olympique Lyonnais) & captain Riyhad Mahrez (Manchester City).Coach Djamel Belmadi has plethora of options to pick from.
The team coasted through qualifiers unbeaten in group H & scored 19 goals in 6 matches to underline their attacking power while the core of the 2019 winning team remain,there is excitement in Benrahma’s development & there seems to be no stopping Algeria although with Ivory Coast also in their group,the desert foxes will be wary of complacency.
CAMEROON
Host & Group F winners from qualifiers,marooned in the same group as Cape Verde who took 4 points off them during qualifiers and Burkina Faso (who topped their group) and Ethiopia,the Indomitable Lions would have to roar in order to make it out. They do have the quality in A.Anguissa (Napoli),Karl Toko Ekanbi (Olympique Lyon) & Captain Eric Maxim Chuopo-Moting (Bayern Munich).Led by Portuguese Antonio Conceicao,the Lions would consider themselves capable of lifting gold.
COTE D’IVOIRE
Winners of group K from qualifiers,the Elephants are in same group as defending champion Algeria in group E alongside Sierra Leone & Equatorial Guinea.The Ivorians are not short of talents & boast the likes of Eric Bailly (Manchester United),Nicholas Pepe (Arsenal), Sebastian Haller (Ajax),Frank Kessie (AC Milan), Wilfred Zaha (Crystal Palace),Wily Boly (Wolves) & Captain Serge Aurier (Villareal).On paper one of the deepest squad led by Patrice Beaumelle,the ivorians should be at the business end of the tournament.
EGYPT
Africa’s most successful side with 7 titles,last of which came in 2010 .The Pharaohs are in same group as Nigeria and are ked by Carlos Queiroz boasting stars like Mohammed Elneny (Arsenal),,Ramadan Sobhi (Pyramid FC) and Captain Mo Salah (Liverpool).
GHANA
With Morrocco (Ziyech & Hakimi),Gabon (Aubameyang) & Comoros lying in wait.The black stars led by Milovan Rajevar will need players like Thomas Partey (Arsenal) & The Ayew Brothers (Swansea & Crystal Palace) to turn uup
NIGERIA
The Super Eagles finished 3rd in the last edition and would prepare for Gold this time while qualification was sewed up early blowing a 4 goal lead rankled.Led by coach Gernot Rohr,the German has Alex Iwobi (Everton) ,Victor Osimhen (Napoli) Wilf ndidi & Kelechi “SeniorMan” Iheanacho (Leicester City).
SENEGAL
The Teranga Lions were 2nd last time out & would be serious about going one better by winning it.Players like Ismaila Sarr (Watford),Kalidou Koulibaly (Napoli) & Sadio Mane would lead their charge.Count them out at your peril.
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