The best African teams and players will gather in Cote d’Ivoire for about a month to showcase African football at its best.
The tournament promises to provide another unforgettable experience for African football fans. There are several favourites to win this year’s title.
Defending champions Senegal, five-time winners Cameroon, seven-time champion Egypt, Nigeria, and Morocco are expected to win this year’s edition.
While every match featuring Africa’s top talent promises to be entertaining, a few stand out as must-see events.
Fans will be able to watch some great matches as early as the group stages. Here are five must-watch group-stage matches.
Must watch AFCON group stage matches
Cote d’Ivoire vs Nigeria, Group A, January 18
These two African countries have a rich history in football and have produced some of the continent’s greatest players.
The Elephants will be under pressure to perform in front of their home crowd next week, and it will not be easy against a formidable Nigerian team.
The last time Cote d’Ivoire hosted the tournament, they were eliminated in the group stage, and Egypt was the last hosts to win it all in 2006. The hosts’ squad is young but star-studded, and it remains to be seen whether they can go the distance.
The Super Eagles, regarded as underachievers, have attacking depth, though some of their top players will miss the tournament due to injuries.
These two teams haven’t had many meetings in the last decade. As a result, this game will be open to anyone, which will be magical for neutral fans.
Time: 17:00 WAT
Venue: Alassane Ouattara Stadium, Abidjan
Straight to business. No time to waste time! #SoarSuperEagles #LetsDoItAgain #Afcon2023 pic.twitter.com/rGyGk1JBIs
— 🇳🇬 Super Eagles (@NGSuperEagles) January 11, 2024
Senegal vs Cameroon, Group C, January 19
The Lions of Teranga are the favourites to win again. Sadio Mane is still at the top of his game, and the Golden Generation remains intact. Going into the AFCON as defending champions can be difficult.
In recent years, reigning champions have either failed to qualify or were eliminated in the group stage. So, can Senegal banish the ghosts of the past?
Cameroon are one of the three AFCON champions to retain their title, per Opta Analyst. The Indomitable Lions will be underdogs when they play Senegal, a rematch of the 2002 final.
Vincent Aboubakar and Karl Toko Ekambi were the top two 2021 AFCON scorers, so they could give Aliou Cisse’s side some problems.
Time: 18:00 WAT
Venue: Stade Charles Konan Banny De Yamoussoukro
An astonishing penalty save that crowned Senegal as the continental champions 🏆
— CAF (@CAF_Online) September 13, 2022
🇸🇳 A textbook goalkeeper performance from Edouard Mendy against Egypt in the 2021 #TotalEnergiesAFCON final 🛡@Fsfofficielle | @edou_mendy_ pic.twitter.com/n9OClQPGOz
Egypt vs Ghana, Group B, January 18
The Pharaohs and Black Stars have won a total of eleven AFCON titles. Ghana’s last AFCON victory was in 1982, while Egypt’s last was in 2010.
So both sides, particularly Chris Hughton’s team, are hoping to right the wrongs of previous tournaments.
Both have star players among their ranks, such as Mohamed Salah and Mohammed Kudus. Salah led Egypt to the finals of the 2021 and 2017 editions, but both times they lost.
Ghana failed to advance past the group stage in the previous tournament, putting a serious dent in their reputation as one of Africa’s top teams. This matchup could determine who wins Group B.
Time: 21:00 WAT
Venue: Felix Houphouet Boigny Stadium, Abidjan
Algeria vs Burkina Faso, Group D, January 20
On paper, Algeria appears to be the favorite to defeat Burkina Faso. The 2019 champions still have some stars on their team, but the Stallions have proven in the past that they can compete with the best teams on the continent.
They finished third in 2017 and fourth in 2021, per CAF, results which make a problem for anyone.
Algeria failed to impress in the 2021 edition, going out in the group stage and scoring just once. They’ve only met twice since 2013, and both games ended in draws.
South Africa vs Tunisia, Group E, January 24
South Africa will clash with Tunisia’s traditionally defensively disciplined team.
South Africa will rely on Al Ahly sensation Percy Tau to penetrate Tunisia’s organized backline and cause an early upset en route to the knockout stage.
Time: 18:00 WAT
Venue: Amadou Gon Coulibaly Stadium, Korhogo
The AFCON 2023 group stage is packed with bitter regional rivalries, European league stars, master tacticians, and championship hopefuls, and there are plenty of elite matches worth canceling all plans to watch.
Top 5 AFCON 2023 underdogs
The Stallions have produced consistent results over the years, finishing second in 2013, third in 2017, and fourth in the 2021 edition.
Burkina Faso is in Group D with 2019 champions Algeria, Mauritania, and Angola, and will rely on players like Tapsoba to cause major upsets.
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