Despite being an old soccer tournament — held for the first time 67 years ago — the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) is still one of the most difficult ones to predict.
In 37 editions, 15 different countries have lifted the trophy. Virtually every continental powerhouse has at least won it once and some smaller countries have also been able to go all the way, like Zambia in 2012.
In recent years, AFCON has favoured big teams like Algeria or Senegal, however history has shown that anything can happen during the tournament. Senegalese star Sadio Mane says that AFCON 2023 is even more difficult to predict.
"This competition is going to be one of the toughest since I started playing in it because all the big countries are here and they all have their targets," the former Bayern Munich forward told the Confederation of African Football portal cafonline.com.
Mane is perhaps trying to diffuse the pressure, since reigning AFCON champions Senegal are one of the most awaited teams this year — but that doesn't mean he's not on to something. For the first time in years, Ivory Coast is not the overwhelming favourite.
Senegal is, of course, one to watch, as former Guinean national team captain and German Bundesliga player and ex-player Ibrahima Traore explained: "It's a team which may not look as attractive as the others, football-wise, but they are a team that is used to going far in competitions and doing what is necessary to get through the rounds."
But the Lions are not boxing alone in their category. Some nations have also some arguments to present. Morocco, too, will want to show that their incredible run during the 2022 FIFA World Cup — in which they finished fourth — was not a lucky one.
Egypt can count on a solid group of players from Al Ahly and Zamalek, two of the biggest clubs on the continent, and will try to bring Mohamed Salah his first AFCON, whilst Algeria, winners of the 2019 edition, will try to make up for their surprise exit in the first round in Cameroon in 2021. Nigeria, who have not won in 11 years, also has a good shot.
Lead by recently-crowned African Footballer of the Year, Victor Osimhen, the Super Eagles are blessed with a tremendous attack — Boniface, Lookman, Chukweze and Iheanacho — however, it might not be enough in such a dense tournament.
Other teams look like they can achieve something at this AFCON including Cameroon, Ghana, Mali, Guinea, Burkina Faso, Tunisia and of course host nation Ivory Coast. On a continent where disparities are big between the nations — climate, quality of the infrastructures and quality of the pitch, for example — playing at home has been an advantage for a long time, although it’s no longer a guarantee of success.
The last team to lift the trophy at home was Egypt, in 2006. No team managed to play a final in front of its own crowd since then.
Nigeria's Victor Osimhen, Egypt's Mohamed Salah, Senegal's Sadio Mane, Ghana's Mohammed Kudus or Guinea's Serhou Guirassy all play in the most competitive leagues in Europe and around the world, winning the AFCON remains their ultimate goal. Lifting the trophy two years ago, Mane described it as “the best day of my life.
"I won the Champions League amongst other trophies, but winning the AFCOM is the special one for me,” he went on. “This is more important for me." In 2023, Ivory Coast lost only one out of nine games and just concluded its preparation to the AFCON with an impressive 5-1 win against Sierra Leone.
Since this tournament has no clear favourite, there are plenty of stars who are going to do everything to help their team reach their target. With Ivory Coast staging the finals for the second time, the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) tournament kicks off tomorrow (Saturday, January 13) with the hosts taking on Guinea-Bissau at the Alassane Ouattara Stadium in Abidjan.