The Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) commences this Saturday in Ivory Coast, with the host nation and Mohamed Salah’s Egypt rising as robust contenders to say the continental championship, in search of to comply with within the footsteps of Senegal, captained by Sadio Mane.
This 24-team event, culminating within the remaining on Feb. 11, marks the primary of its variety within the West African nation in 40 years because the 1984 version, the place solely eight nations participated, finally received by Roger Milla’s Cameroon.
Senegal are defending the title they received in Cameroon in 2022, however a powerful discipline additionally options Morocco and a Nigerian aspect spearheaded by African Footballer of the Year Victor Osimhen.
The event opens with the Group A gathering of the hosts and Guinea-Bissau on the Alassane Ouattara Stadium in Ebimpe, on the outskirts of the financial capital, Abidjan.
The 60,000-seat stadium was constructed for a event initially purported to be performed in June and July final yr to keep away from a conflict with the center of the European season, the place many high African gamers are primarily based.
However, fears over staging it throughout the wet season led to it being pushed again to its extra conventional January and February slot.
Matches might be staged in six stadiums, with two venues in Abidjan, together with Ebimpe, which is able to host the ultimate.
Games can even be performed within the capital Yamoussoukro and neighboring Bouake, in addition to in San Pedro on the coast and in Korhogo, within the north, close to the frontiers with Mali and Burkina Faso.
It is the primary AFCON in West Africa since Ghana in 2008, and $1.5 billion has been invested by the Ivorian authorities. “Let’s all mobilize to make this AFCON a great celebration of youth, Ivorian hospitality, and African brotherhood,” mentioned President Ouattara in his New Year’s speech.
Authorities might be hoping to keep away from something just like the occasion that overshadowed the final AFCON in Cameroon, the place eight folks had been killed in a crush and stampede outdoors Yaounde’s Olembe Stadium. Locals are additionally hoping that their staff, the Elephants, can go all the way in which and declare a 3rd title.
Salah leads Egypt
The most recognizable face of their squad is Borussia Dortmund striker Sebastien Haller, who seems often on billboards lining Abidjan’s traffic-choked streets.
As they purpose to retain their crown regardless of stiff competitors, the Lions of Teranga will once more lean closely on Mane, the previous Liverpool ahead now taking part in in Saudi Arabia for Al Nassr. “I can not recall a stronger discipline.
“All the giants are going to be in Ivory Coast, and all of them will be plotting to dethrone us,” Mane, now 31, mentioned just lately.
Senegal are in Group C with Cameroon, Gambia, and the Guinea of Serhou Guirassy, prolific within the German Bundesliga with Stuttgart and reportedly nice after an damage scare this week.
Egypt boasts the most important star of all in Salah as they aim a record-extending eighth title to banish the reminiscence of defeats within the 2017 and 2022 finals.
That is what Egyptians are dreaming of, though followers of his membership, Liverpool, will hope he returns early as they chase the English Premier League title.
Egypt ought to have just a few severe issues getting out of a bunch additionally that includes Ghana, Cape Verde, and Mozambique.
Can Morocco stay as much as billing?
Morocco are hoping to stay as much as their billing after changing into the primary African nation ever to succeed in the semifinals at a World Cup, simply over a yr in the past in Qatar.
“I want to at least get to the semifinals,” coach Walid Regragui instructed native tv channel Arryadia, as Morocco goals to win a second AFCON and first since 1976.
They are in Group F with DR Congo, Zambia, and a Tanzania aspect who’ve by no means received a sport on the event.
Morocco’s largest star is Achraf Hakimi, the Paris Saint-Germain right-back who was runner-up to Osimhen for the 2023 African Footballer of the Year.
The presence of Napoli striker Osimhen provides Nigerians hope their staff can go far, however they’ve been dealt a blow with the lack of Bayer Leverkusen ahead Victor Boniface to damage.
The Super Eagles will play the hosts, in addition to Equatorial Guinea and Guinea-Bissau, in Group A.
Winners in 2019, Algeria is in Group D with Burkina Faso, Mauritania, and Angola.
South Africa’s Bafana Bafana are again after lacking the final version, and their staff leans closely on the nation’s main membership aspect, Mamelodi Sundowns.
They meet Tunisia, Mali, and Namibia in Group E.
Source: www.dailysabah.com