Rabbi Adu Agyei and Gabriel Tecco Mensah will take us through a tournament which seemed far off but is just hours away from commencing.
Kick-off is upon us with the continent’s finest in pole position to slug it out for the ultimate prize. Heroes and villans alike will be made, moments of pure brilliance and forgery is about to sizzle throughout the one month non-stop action of exhilarating high intensity football amongst Africa’s echelons. Côte d’Ivoire presents moments to savor with rich African heritage in stock.
It was Cameroon and Burkina Faso that had the entire African continent at the edge of our seat in Yaoundé 2 years ago. Now, at the Alassane Ouattara Stadium in Abdijan, Côte d’Ivoire kick starts the most anticipated Africa Cup of Nations tournament in recent memory against Guinea Bissau.
Univers Sports desk zooms into the AFCON from the perspectives of its ace journalists, Rabbi Adu Agyei and Gabriel Tecco Mensah, as they seek to provide unique assertions to back their AFCON claims.
GABBY’S TAKE
Potential Winners
Gabby starts off by providing his potential winners of the AFCON. Egypt and Morocco are his preferences from the Mediterranean region. Although he is fully aware of Senegal’s threatening strength, Gabby opines there has been a massive drop-off from the Terranga Lions in recent years and hence a failure to rewrite history.
“We’ve had Egypt dominating the [AFCON], with 7 titles, looking forward to clinching an 8th. Morocco on the other hand was a semi-finalist in the recent World Cup so the momentum and the confidence going into this showpiece is unflagging. Also, the Teranga lions who won the last edition of the AFCON would be hoping to retain their title but personally, I tip the Atlas Lions to clinch the ultimate.” he said
“Other sports journalists would argue for Senegal but look, the Terranga lions have the same squad they won the trophy with in Cameroon, 2021, but the quality has dropped immensely. We all know form is dynamic and the kind of clubs the players were playing for in 2021 and the competitiveness in their former leagues can’t be compared to their current clubs and leagues.”
“Édouard Mendy who was one of the best goalkeepers in 2021 is nowhere to be found today. Kalidou Koulibaly who was the benchmark of Chelsea’s defense in 2021 is crawling today, not to talk of Sadio Mané. Therefore Senegal may have the same squad but not the same quality or form they had in the 2021 AFCON. Even with their best form in AFCON 2021, Senegal was still struggling with goals as it scored only 1 goal in the group stages of the 2021 AFCON.”
“Meanwhile, Morocco made history in Qatar by becoming the first African side to reach the semi-finals of the World Cup. Throughout their journey to the semifinals,they were phenomenal as the climax of their journey was by eliminating Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal in the Quarterfinals stage. A team which had one of the best defenders in the world Ruben Dias, a team which had two of the best midfielders in the world Bruno Fernandes and Bernardo Silva, but Walid Regradui’s side still managed to beat them. They still have the same squad with even much better form. In the likes of Sofyan Amrabat, Ounahi, En Nesyri and one of the current best goalkeepers in the world, Yassine Bounou, they don’t just have the names, they have a team as well. Therefore I believe Morocco is the potential winner for AFCON 2023.”
Potential Golden Ball Winner
Sadio Manè, Ismaël Bennacer, Christian Bassagog, Christian Atsu and Johnathan Pitroipa have been the last 5 recipients of the prestigious golden ball accolade. Gabby expects Mohammed Kudus’ rich vein of form at club level to spur him on and put him in that list.
“My best player for this upcoming AFCON will be Mohammed Kudus. I’m being very objective in this prediction, and there’s no doubt about that. Kudus was nominated for the best English Premier League player of the month of December, scoring 4 goals in 6 games, defying all odds. I believe he’ll continue with the same energy in the AFCON as he looks unstoppable.”
Underdogs
Gambia was the surprise package in Cameroon, with the scorpions going as far as the Quarter-final in their debut tournament. But this time, Mr. Mensah keeps his options open, with the recent 0-0 stalemate between Ghana and Namibia being a point of reference in his underdog prediction.
“I don’t believe there are still underdogs in African football. For instance, supercomputer ranked Namibia as one of the least teams to win the AFCON with a percentage of 0.5, but Namibia drew in a pre-tournament friendly game with powerhouse Ghana, who have a percentage of 5.3% to win the AFCON. Also, Ghana was one of the favorites to win AFCON 2021 but were eliminated by Comoros who were considered one of the underdogs. Therefore, due to the evolution of African football, I don’t think there are still underdogs.”
Crunch Tie
A host of mouthwatering fixtures are enlisted to take place through the group stages. For Gabby, Egypt vs Ghana is his standout game of the group stages.
“My most anticipated match in the group stage is Egypt vs Ghana which will be played on January 18, 2024.The reason being that, it is always a fierce battle when these two sides meet. However, there have been 8 matches played among these 2 teams with Egypt winning 4,Ghana 2 and 2 draws recorded.”
Group of Death
Gabby outrightly picks group C as the toughest amongst all 4 groups, sharing his fondest AFCON memory in the process.
“My group of death is Group C (Senegal, Cameroon, Guinea and Gambia). My best AFCON memory is Ghana against Ivory Coast in the 2015 finals, where it ended 0-0 after extra time with Ivory Caost winning that lengthy penalty shootout by scoring 9 and Ghana 8. A shootout in which Ghana took a 2-0 lead and ended up losing is quite painful. I watched on sombering within with French coach, Hervé Renard, going down into history by winning the title with 2 different nations, Zambia and Ivory Coast. But amidst all the agony it inflicted on my mental state and emotional well-being, that’s my best AFCON memory.”
Top Scorer
Ndaye Mulamba of DRC Congo set the record for the most goals in a single AFCON tournament by scoring 9 goals en route to DRC Congo’s second trophy in 1974. Mr. Mensah signs off in controversial fashion by making a bold claim about two (2) pretty much out of form players to lead the way in goals and the best young talent at the tournament.
“My top scorer will be En Nesyri of Morocco, best young player Ernest Nuamah of Ghana and Ghana will reach the knockout stages, no two ways about that.”
Just as about Gabby was wrapping up, Rabbi was picking up !
Black Stars’ shot at redemption
Rabbi takes a dimmer view into the Black Stars squad, assessing and making salient points on how to get the best out of the current squad despite a long growing injury list in order for the stars to shine for the first time since 1982.
“Despite the abysmal performance in the last edition held in Cameroon in 2021, I think Ghana is ready for the 34th edition of the AFCON. Although Ghana will be at the AFCON without few key players such as Tariq Lamptey and Thomas Partey, the addition of Mohammed Kudus, Mohammed Salisu and inform Inaki Williams, I think with the right tactics and formation from the coach and good attitude and character from the players, Ghana can end the 42-year trophy drought.”
Underdogs
When Christopher Katongo; one of the shortest players on the pitch, stood at the center of the Stade d’Angondjié to hoist the gold plated AFCON crown, he certainly felt like he was at the pinnacle of Mount Everest. It was a remarkable end to an underdog fairytale run in the AFCON. For Rabbi, he expects Burkina Faso to toll that path.
“The Africa Cup of Nations is a competition that is full of surprises, and I have no doubt that many underdogs could pull surprises. For instance, my research found that Zambia won their first AFCON trophy in 2012 as an underdog.”
“Burkina Faso is one of the underdogs to challenge the favorites this AFCON. This is because The Stallions have made it to the semifinals in three of the last four AFCON tournaments they’ve qualified for. Burkina Faso finished 4th in the 2021 edition, 3rd in 2017 and 2nd in 2013.”
“Burkina Faso stands out as the team with a track record of challenging other top sides. With key players such as skipper, Bertrand Traoré and Fessal TapsobaI, I think Burkina Faso can go far as the underdogs in this year’s AFCON.”
Potential Winners
In unison with Gabby, 2022 World Cup semi-finalist, Morocco is bent favorites for Mr. Adu Agyei to end a 48-year drought and win their second AFCON. Rabbi highlights and assesses several factors that leaves Morocco in the running for the AFCON.
“Morocco, emerging as top contender and potential candidate to win the AFCON post their stellar performance in the Qatar World Cup 2022, achieved a historic semifinal berth, ultimately succumbing to France. Manager Walid Regragui is resolute about validating their success by clinching the AFCON title. Star players, Achraf Hakimi and Hakim Ziyech, alongside Sofyan Amrabat, bring strength to the squad.”
“The defensive lineup, featuring Noussair Mazraoui, Romain Saiss, and Hakimi is touted as the tournament’s strongest. Striker Youssef En-Nesyri, under scrutiny for World Cup scoring, aims to prove himself. Morocco’s past AFCON defeat to Egypt fuels their determination to transcend their 1976 victory, last reaching the final in 2004, where they were thwarted by Tunisia.”
“Although they might be under pressure due to their stellar performance in the World Cup, I think Morocco is hungry for trophies and will be aiming to end their 48 years of AFCON drought in this year’s tournament.”
“The addition of their $65m sports complex which was unveiled in 2021, put them ahead of the other African countries in terms of preparation and this shows their brilliant performance in recent tournaments.”
“The current Coca-Cola FIFA ranking will play a significant role and influence this AFCON as many African giants such as the 4-time AFCON winners Ghana, and the 1996 winners, South Africa will be hoping to better the next FIFA ranking after failing to make the top 10 list in the current Africa FIFA rankings. Also, countries such as Morocco and Senegal would be hoping to solidify their positions in the African rankings.”
Top Scorer
Precision and concision were what Rabbi opted for in deciding who takes home the AFCON golden boot.
“Victor Osimhen, a prolific striker, who has been in excellent form and is lethal around the goal is my pick. Osimhen is a top European talent and a key player for Nigeria. With stellar performances scoring for Napoli in Serie A and the Champions League, he has emerged as one of Europe’s premier strikers and he will certainly be hoping to showcase the same form in Europe for his country in the AFCON.”
Golden ball
Mohammed Kudus will be the the man to walk out of the Alassane Ouattara Stadium on February 11 with the golden boot in hand, according to Rabbi.
“Kudus has taken the English Premier League by storm with West Ham this season – something players switching clubs to England rarely do in their first year. The midfielder is 12th on the list in the English top flight for goals per minute – not bad for a midfielder in a team where even the strikers are demanded to defend from the front. The 23-year-old has scored 10 goals in 24 matches for the Hammers. Ghana will relish the impact he could have in providing extra quality behind a forward line of the Ayew brothers and Inaki Williams.”
“If Ghana is competent to go far in this year’s AFCON, Mohammed Kudus could emerge as one of the potential candidates to clinch the Player of the Tournament award.”
Potential young player of the tournament
Tottenham Hotspurs prodigy, Sarr, who had a knock in his last club game against Bournemouth before joining Senegal is Mr.Agyei’s best young player.
“Sarr is not new to the big stage. The CAF 2022 young player of the year goes into the 2023 AFCON as one of the best midfielders to look out for.”
“The 21-year-old central midfielder has been superb for Tottenham Hotspur in the English Premier League this season, scoring twice and providing two assists in 18 games. He is arguably the best of all the young players going into the 2023 AFCON.”
Potential goalkeeper of the tournament
The famous quote ‘attack wins you games, defense wins you titles’ was used predominantly by one of the greatest managers of all-time, Sir Alex Ferguson. El Shenawy is the one to wrought wonders for Rabbi in between the sticks.
“Having debuted for the Egyptian National team in 2018, the 35-year-old goalkeeper has amassed over 50 appearances for The Pharaohs. El Shenawy, a three-time CAF Champions League winner, has achieved eight clean sheets this season and notably played in all of his team’s matches in the recently concluded FIFA Club World Cup.”
“Having contributed to Egypt’s second-place finish in Cameroon, the Al Ahly goalkeeper is determined to aim for the top with his team in the upcoming tournament in Ivory Coast.”
The 34th edition of Africa’s biggest showpiece promises to deliver breath taking and nail biting games and moments from the 13th of January till February 11, 2024.
Univers Sports will be bringing detailed commentaries of the games and sound analysis of the games. Updates of the tournaments will be consistently posted on univers.ug.edu.gh.
