The 2023 Africa Cup of Nations kicks off in Ivory Coast on Saturday, showcasing the array of skills and top-tier craftsmanship in African football.
24 teams will participate in the 34th edition of the AFCON with 12 of them sharing a combined 30 titles.
Afrosport provides an overview of each participating nation, highlighting the leading contenders for the coveted trophy, with focus on their strengths and potential areas that could contribute to their success.
SENEGAL
The Teranga Lions, reigning champions of the Africa Cup of Nations, by right, are one of the first names on the list of possible winners, adding to the allure of securing back-to-back titles.
Senegal won its first-ever AFCON at the 2021 tournament in Cameroon, with ex-international Aliou Cisse leading the country to glory as head coach, finally putting to sleep the ghosts of the past after missing a penalty in their shootout loss to Cameroon in 2002.
The West African side boasts a star-studded squad, which includes a time African Player of the Year in their ranks in Sadio Mane, former Best FIFA Men’s Goalkeeper Edouard Mendy, and one of the best defenders of this generation, Kalidou Koulibaly.
Senegal are drawn in Group C along with Cameroon, Guinea, and the Gambia. Though the Teranga Lions will have their work cut out for them, their strength and capabilities suggest they are likely to navigate through the group stage and advance towards the final.
MOROCCO
Following their impressive performance at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, Morocco is widely expected by fans and football experts to replicate such a historic achievement in the upcoming AFCON in Ivory Coast.
Under the strategic guidance of the charismatic Walid Regragui and the exceptional talent of the much-respected “Golden Generation”, the North African powerhouse is tipped to break their jinx on the continental scene.
The 27-player Moroccan squad, featuring the reigning African Goalkeeper of the Year Yassine Bono, the left-footed magician Hakim Ziyech, and 2023 African Men’s Player of the Year finalist Achraf Hakimi, comprises some of the continent’s most prominent players plying their trades in the biggest clubs in the world.
The Atlas Lions, who last won the AFCON in 1976, got eliminated in the quarterfinal stage of the tournament in the last edition. They will be aiming to overcome their two-decade-long absence from the AFCON final, which they last made in 2004, and also put an end to their 48-year search for a second title.
CAMEROON
In the last edition of the AFCON in 2021, Cameroon finished third, and they are as hungry as ever to return to the top after lifting the trophy in Gabon in 2017.
The Indomitable Lions (5) have won the second-most AFCON titles, and they are the fourth-most decorated team in the tournament with nine medals in their 20 previous appearances.
The Rigobert Song-led team is stacked across all departments. This talent, together with their grit and doggedness, makes them a tough opposition to breakdown and one of the biggest contenders for the title of African champion.
EGYPT
Last year’s beaten finalists, Egypt, are the most decorated team in AFCON history, with seven titles. The Pharaohs, who got to the final in 2021 and lost to Senegal on penalties, are always expected to succeed at any edition of the tournament.
Previously, Egypt won the AFCON back-to-back twice, and they also three-peated once, highlighting their dominance in the competition. Despite this success, they have been without the continental title for over a decade having last won it in 2010.
However, they have one of the greatest African footballers, Mohamed Salah, in their ranks. With the Liverpool forward yet to lift the AFCON title after finishing second twice, he would be extremely motivated to lead the rest of his teammates to victory in Ivory Coast and subsequently lift his first AFCON trophy.
NIGERIA
The Super Eagles are three-time winners of the Africa Cup of Nations, but they last got to the final in 2013 in South Africa, where they defeated Burkina Faso to lift the title.
The West African giants, who have missed two of the last four tournaments since their triumph in 2013, have finished second on four occasions as well as winning the bronze medal eight times.
Nigeria have enjoyed the most podium finishes in the history of the competition, and they are expected to attain such heights in Ivory Coast, or their 20th outing in the tournament will be conceded as a failure.
The Super Eagles have the reigning best player in Africa, Victor Osimhen, leading their attack in the competition, and if the Napoli forward replicates his AFCON qualifier form, where he finished with ten goals, Nigeria can go as far as winning the title.
