Group F of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations comprises Morocco, Tanzania, DR Congo and Zambia who all boast of talents and of course a rich history in the tournament, with all but one of them lifting the title at least once.
Afrosport takes a look at their tournament history, record and the squads that will be on their way to the Ivory Coast.
MOROCCO
AFCON History
The Moroccans are considered top favourite to lift the 2023 AFCON. This comes off the back of the 2022 FIFA World Cup where they made history for the African continent by reaching semi-finals. They are also the top ranked African team.
The Atlas Lions are not new to AFCON having tasted success in 1976. Their current reputation will push them to end the 48-year wait for continental glory.
AFCON Record
Morocco’s 1976 success remains their only AFCON title to date. They have finished as runners-up once (2004), third once (1980) and fourth twice (1986 and 1988).
They have appeared at AFCON 18 times previously, playing 70 games, winning 27 of them, drawing 24 and losing 19 games. They have also scored 82 goals and conceded 63 goals.
Star Player: Achraf Hakimi
Full Morocco AFCON squad
Goalkeepers: Yassine Bounou (Al Hilal, Saudi Arabia), Munir Mohamedi (Al Wehda, Saudi Arabia), Mehdi Benabid (AS FAR, Morocco).
Defenders: Achraf Hakimi (Paris St-Germain, France), Noussair Mazraoui (Bayern Munich, Germany), Yahya Attiat Allah (Wydad Casablanca, Morocco), Nayef Aguerd (West Ham, England), Romain Saiss (Al Shabab, Saudi Arabia), Yunis Abdelhamid (Reims, France), Chadi Riad (Real Betis, Spain), Abdel Abqar (Alaves, Spain), Mohamed Chibi (Pyramids, Egypt).
Midfielders: Amir Richardson (Reims, France), Sofyan Amrabat (Manchester United, England), Oussama El Azzouzi (Bologna, Italy), Selim Amallah (Valencia, Spain), Bilal El Khannouss (Genk, Belgium), Azzedine Ounahi (Marseille, France), Ismael Saibari (PSV, Netherlands), Amine Harit (Marseille, France).
Forwards: Hakim Ziyech (Galatasaray, Turkey), Amine Adli (Bayer Leverkusen, Germany), Abde Ezzalzouli (Real Betis, Spain), Sofiane Boufal (Al Rayyan, Qatar), Tarik Tissoudali (Gent, Belgium), Youssef En-Nesyri (Seville, Spain), Ayoub El Kaabi (Olympiacos, Greece).
Coach: Walid Regragui
TANZANIA
AFCON History
The Tanzanians have little AFCON experience with just two previous outings in 1980 and 2019. Both occasions ended in group stage exits and they will need to go the extra mile to make their third AFCON outing a memorable one.
AFCON Record
Tanzania are still searching for their first AFCON win with no victories in six games, drawing one and losing five.
The East Africans have also scored five goals and conceded 14 across two tournaments.
Star Player: Mbwana Samatta
Full Tanzania AFCON squad
Goalkeepers: Kwesi Kawawa (Karlslunds, Sweden), Beno Kakolanya (Singida Fountain Gate, Tanzania), Aishi Manula (Simba, Tanzania).
Defenders: Bakari Mwamnyeto, Ibrahim Hamad, Dickson Job (all Young Africans, Tanzania), Haji Mnoga (Aldershot Town, England), Abdi Banda (Richardson Bay, South Africa), Novatus Miroshi (Shakhtar Donetsk, Ukraine), Lusajo Mwaikenda (Azam, Tanzania), Mohamed Hussein (Simba, Tanzania), Abdulimalik Zakaria (Namungo, Tanzania), Miano van den Bos (Villena, Spain).
Midfielders: Himid Mao (Tala’ea El Gaish, Egypt), Feisal Salum (Azam, Tanzania), Morice Abraham (Novi Sad, Serbia), Mzamiru Yassin, Kibu Denis (both Simba, Tanzania) Tarryn Allarakhia (Wealdstone, England), Mudathir Yahya (Young Africans, Tanzania), Sospeter Bajana (Azam, Tanzania), Mo Sagaf (Boreham Wood, England).
Forwards: Cyprian Kachwele (Vancouver, Canada), Ben Starkie (Ilkeston Town, England), Mbwana Samatta (PAOK, Greece), Charles M’Mombwa (Macarthur FC, Australia), Simon Msuva (JS Kabylie, Algeria).
DR CONGO
AFCON History
The Congolese have built solid AFCON footprint since making their debut in 1965. Their next outing in 1968 saw them lift the title by defeating Ghana and did it again in 1974 by defeating Zambia on Egyptian soil.
The Leopards have struggled to reach such a high ever since but are still seen as distant favourites with top talent filled in their squad.
AFCON Record
DR Congo have won AFCON twice and have finished third twice (1998 and 2015) and fourth on one occasion (1972). They have also finished at the quarter-final stage on six occasions, the most recent coming at the 2017 edition in Gabon.
The Congolese have featured at AFCON 19 times previously, playing 73 games. They have won 20 of them, drawing 24 and losing 29. They have scored 88 goals and conceded 102 goals.
Star Player: Yoane Wissa
Full DR Congo AFCON squad
Goalkeepers: Dimitry Bertaud (Montpellier, France), Lionel Mpasi (Rodez, France), Baggio Siadi (TP Mazembe, DR Congo).
Defenders: Dylan Batubinsika (Saint Etienne, France), Brian Bayeye (Ascoli, Italy), Rocky Bushiri (Hibernian, Scotland), Henock Inonga (Simba, Tanzania), Gedeon Kalulu (Lorient, France), Joris Kayembe (Genk, Belgium), Arthur Masuaku (Besiktas, Turkey), Chancel Mbemba (Marseille, France).
Midfielders: Theo Bongonda (Spartak Moscow, Russia), Grady Diangana (West Bromwich Albion, England), Gael Kakuta (Amiens, France), Edo Kayembe (Watford, England), Samuel Moutoussamy (Nantes, France), Charles Pickel (Cremonese, Italy), Aaron Tshibola (Al Hatta, UAE).
Forwards: Simon Banza (Braga, Portugal), Cedric Bakambu (Galatasaray, Turkey), Meschack Elia (Young Boys, Switzerland), Silas (Stuttgart, Germany), Fiston Mayele (Pyramids, Egypt), Yoane Wissa (Brentford, England).
Coach: Sebastien Desabre
ZAMBIA
AFCON History
The Zambians like the Congolese have made a name for themselves at AFCON, finishing as runners-up in their debut outing in 1974. They also finished in that position in 1994, a year on after losing a bulk of the squad in a tragic plane crash en route Dakar to face Senegal during the qualifiers.
The Chipolopolo’s moment of glory finally came in 2012 when they defeated Ivory Coast on penalties. They have not qualified for any AFCON tournament since 2015 and will therefore be looking to make a strong impression in the territory of the team their finest football moment came.
AFCON Record
Zambia have been AFCON champions just once and runners-up twice while they have finished in third place three times.
The Chipolopolo have featured previously at AFCON 17 times, playing a total of 67 games. They have recorded 26 wins, 20 draws and 21 losses, scoring 81 goals and conceding 69 goals.
Star Player: Patson Daka
Full Zambia AFCON squad
Goalkeepers: Lawrence Mulenga (Power Dynamos, Zambia), Francis Mwansa (Green Buffaloes, Zambia), Toaster Nsabata (Zesco United, Zambia).
Defenders: Dominic Chanda (Power Dynamos, Zambia), Benedict Chepeshi (Red Arrows, Zambia), Rodrick Kabwe (Zakho, Iraq), Gift Mphande (Hapoel Rishon LeZion, Israel), Frankie Musonda (Ayr United, Scotland), Tandi Mwape (TP Mazembe, DR Congo), Zephaniah Phiri (Prison Leopards, Zambia), Stoppila Sunzu (Jinan Xingzhou, China).
Midfielders: Emmanuel Banda (HNK Rijeka, Croatia), Rally Bwalya (Sekhukhune United, South Africa), Miguel Chaiwa (Young Boys, Switzerland), Clatous Chama (Simba, Tanzania), Edward Chilufya (Hacken, Sweden), Kings Kangwa (Red Star Belgrade, Serbia), Kelvin Kapumbu (Zesco United, Zambia), Golden Mafwenta (MFK Vyskov, Czech Republic), Kelvin Kampamba (Zesco United, Zambia), Fredrick Mulambia (Power Dynamos, Zambia), Lubambo Musonda (Silkeborg, Denmark), Benson Sakala (Mlada Boleslav, Czech Republic).
Forwards: Lameck Banda (Lecce, Italy), Patson Daka (Leicester City, England), Kennedy Musonda (Young Africans, Tanzania), Fashion Sakala (Al Fayha, Saudi Arabia).
Coach: Avram Grant
