This year’s Africa Cup of Nations begins on Saturday, with hosts Ivory Coast kicking off the tournament against Guinea-Bissau.
Defending champions Senegal start their campaign on Monday as they face Gambia, aiming to become the first team since Egypt in 2010 to win back-to-back titles.
There are a number of contenders with big chances from the 24-team field and it looks set to be an enthralling tournament.
- Morocco to win the Africa Cup of Nations
- Vincent Aboubakar to win the Golden Boot
- Nigeria to win Group A
- Senegal to win Group C
Outright Preview
Senegal were first-time winners when they took home the trophy in the last edition of the Africa Cup of Nations and another team who have underachieved at the event could put that right this time around.
Morocco have only ever won this tournament once before, in 1976, but they have the quality in this year’s squad to lift the crown for the second time.
The Atlas Lions finished runners-up in 2004 but since then have failed to get close to winning the event. They were knocked out in extra-time at the quarter-final stage by Egypt in the last edition.
However since then Walid Regragui’s men pulled off a historic feat by reaching the semi-finals of the World Cup just over 12 months ago.
There was no fluke about Morocco’s success in Qatar either, as they topped a group containing Belgium, Croatia and Canada before seeing off Spain and Portugal in the knockout stages.
A 2-0 defeat to France in the last four should not take the shine off what was an incredible performance from the Atlas Lions as they became the first African team ever to reach the semi-finals of the World Cup.
They are ranked 13th in the world as a result and their squad has arguably improved since Qatar.
Much of their success in that tournament was built on the solid foundation of their back five and their defence and goalkeeper should be the envy of their Africa Cup of Nations opponents.
Yassine Bounou, Achraf Hakimi, Nayef Aguerd, Romain Saiss and Noussair Mazraoui were integral to their team’s success at the World Cup as they conceded just three goals en route to the semi-finals, keeping clean sheets against Spain and Portugal.
In a tournament that is typically low-scoring, there were 100 goals in 52 games in the last edition, so a solid defence can be crucial.
There is quality throughout their squad however, with top-level striker Youssef En-Nesyri and Marseille pair Azzedine Ounahi and Amine Harit joining Manchester United’s Sofyan Amrabat in an impressive midfield.
The Atlas Lions beat Brazil at the start of 2023 and any replication of that level of form should make them difficult to overcome.
The North Africans have landed in a very winnable group with the Democratic Republic of Congo, Zambia and Tanzania.
A potential rematch of the team who knocked them out of the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations, Egypt, may await in the quarter-finals but they have improved past their North African rivals in the intervening period.
The Pharaohs have an ageing squad that is over reliant on Mo Salah and there are holes to be picked in some of the other contenders too.
Senegal are well fancied but Sadio Mane has regressed recently while Ivory Coast may not be able to overcome the poor record that hosts have in this tournament. No host nation has won any of the last eight editions.
On the whole, Morocco have the outstanding piece of form in this field and have added some interesting youngsters to their group since that World Cup semi-final. Their squad looks strong enough to secure a first AFCON title since 1976.
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Golden Boot Preview
In a tournament that historically does not feature many goals, Cameroon’s Vincent Aboubakar tore apart the Golden Boot field in the last Africa Cup of Nations, netting eight goals.
That was three clear of teammate Karl Toko Ekambi and five goals ahead of anyone who did not play for Cameroon.
Aboubakar has been in fine form since then, impressing in spells at Al Nassr in the Saudi Pro League and for current club Besiktas, and he could make it two Golden Boot titles in a row.
The Indomitable Lions have not called up Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting and another key forward, Bryan Mbeumo, will miss the tournament through injury.
That means that Aboubakar will be his team’s key man once again and he seems to relish that pressure.
At double the price of some other contenders, take the Cameroon striker to secure the goalscoring title.
At a much bigger price, some may consider Guinea-Bissau striker Franculino Dju, who has netted 12 times in 19 games for Danish side Midtjylland this season.
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Vincent Aboubakar key man for Cameroon
Groups Preview
Group A of this year’s Africa Cup of Nations sees two West African heavyweights face off as hosts Ivory Coast come up against Nigeria.
The Super Eagles have an extremely talented group of forwards, including Victor Osimhen, Kelechi Iheanacho, Samuel Chukwueze, Ahmed Musa and Victor Boniface.
They could be the value selection to get the better of Ivory Coast, who finished second in their qualifying group.
In Group C, Senegal should be able to top the section ahead of Cameroon. Despite the efforts of Aboubakar, the defending champions look like a more balanced team and they beat the Indomitable Lions in a friendly in October.
Senegal have a deeper squad than their section rivals and should be able to prove that by topping the group.
