AFCON Predictions

Ivory Coast, the defending champions after lifting the 2023 Afcon trophy on home soil following their 2-1 win over Nigeria in the final

The Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) kicks off in a month’s time. The most prestigious tournament in African football has failed to provide no shortage of tactical brilliance and entertainment over its last few editions, and this year looks to be no different. The tournament will take place in Morocco after Guinea were stripped of hosting rights in 2022 and will boast a star-studded line-up of teams. This year’s tournament really could go anyone’s way.

Cote D’Ivoire

We had to start with the reigning champions, who have their work cut out for them in the group of death against a strong Cameroon side, as well as Gabon, who have enough quality to cause some upsets, and Mozambique. However, their squad is packed with young talent like Evan Guessand and Amad Diallo, who can cause damage with their versatility and explosive take-ons, alongside veterans like Sebastien Haller and Franck Kessié, who know what it takes to win a final.  They are unbeaten against African teams since the last tournament, losing narrow friendlies to New Zealand and Saudi Arabia. The holders are not a team to take lightly and are still a fantastic side.

Senegal

On paper, Senegal have one of, if not the, strongest starting 11 in the whole tournament. Iliman Ndiaye has fast become one of the most exciting and clinical players in the Premier League, and midfield pivot of Pape Matar Sarr and Idrissa Gana Gueye will guarantee an effective combination of defensive stability and progressive forward play to feed a dangerous attack. Ismaila Sarr and Nicholas Jackson have impressed for Crystal Palace and Bayern Munich this season, especially in big games, and Sadio Mane’s leadership and winning experience gives them a major edge. Stopping this team will be tough, and a matter of bypassing their midfield and exploiting space in the counterattack, which will be no easy task given the defensive solidity of players like EL Hadji Malick Diouf, Kalidou Koulibaly and Moussa Niakhaté.

Nigeria

Following their exit from the World Cup qualifiers, many view the Super Eagles as unreliable, but it’s easy to forget they showed lots of resilience to come back when the odds were against them, and there’s no doubt they’ll be fired up with all of Africa laughing at them. Victor Osimhen is a fantastic number 9 who can score in any game state, from any attacking position, and if Alex Iwobi and Ademola Lookman can find form despite inconsistency, they will be a force to be reckoned with on the attack. Question marks remain over an ageing defence, with captain Troost-Ekong unlikely to be dropped completely despite poor form, but the Nigerians will be hungry for revenge this AFCON, and they have the squad to make a deep run at the least.

Morocco

Morocco have looked fantastic in the past year, only losing once narrowly to Kenya, but now serious questions need to be asked following Achraf Hakimi’s injury at the hands of Luis Diaz in the Champions League earlier this month. As capable as the Morocco side are, particularly in midfield, even the most optimistic fan will feel defeated without their captain, the best right back in the world and the best African player on the planet in the last 12 months. Hakimi has chosen not to undergo surgery, but even if he is fit in time, it’s unlikely he will be 100%, and his full fitness will be critical for the hosts.

South Africa

South Africa have proved outside favourites for AFCON. Despite not having a great winning record over the past year or being the strongest team on paper, they have performed when it matters most, with only one loss this year, back in March. Despite this, their qualifying performances for the World Cup have been excellent, scoring 33 goals and keeping 7 clean sheets. Not to mention, they have a history of showing up at major tournaments, finishing 3^rd last time out. It is unlikely that they will go all the way, but it’s not impossible for Bafana Bafana to make a deep run this year.

Next month’s contest will be one for the ages, but it’s hard not to back the Senegalese to go all the way. Their squad is so strong on paper, and they play an exciting brand of football with trickery and attacking flair in every area of the pitch. Let’s hope

Winner’s Prediction: Senegal