African Cup of Nations – Who Are the Favourites?

African Cup of Nations – Who Are the Favourites?

Every two years the best African players in world football come together to represent their countries in the African Cup Of Nations, and in 2024 it will be the Ivory Coast that plays host to the prestigious tournament.

Much to the chagrin of many of European football’s biggest teams, players are called up for the international team competition, first held in 1957. Africa’s top 24 football nations will be represented, but which countries have a realistic chance of winning?

Below we look at the big teams to look out for:

Defending Champs

Senegal (6/1)

A penalty shootout was needed to separate Senegal and Egypt in the final two years ago, and it was the former that came out on top in the dramatic end to the tournament. It was a historic first AFCON victory for the country and today’s football betting odds of 6/1 will tell you that they are once again going to be big players this year.

With basically the same squad that was successful last time, Senegal, under the care of former player Aliou Cisse will fancy their chances of becoming the first team to win back-to-back tournaments since 2010.

The Players

Sadio Mane will once again be key to the performance of his team this year. Now based in the Saudi Pro League with Al-Nassr, the former Liverpool man is his country’s star player and record goalscorer with 40 goals.

Mane is not the only world-class player who will be representing the defending champions, as the likes of team captain Kalidou Koulibaly, record cap holder Idrissa Gueye, and keeper’ Edouard Mendy will also be lining out for the tournament favourites.

pic.twitter.com/tspdT98CZY

— Football Senegal (@FootballSenegal) January 10, 2024

Morocco (11/2)

Morocco’s only AFCON victory came way back in 1976, but they now have a squad that many feel are capable of going all the way in this year’s tournament. Having come to prominence with their fourth-placed finish in the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, Morocco have a squad full of top-class players and must be considered to be one of the favourites in the Ivory Coast.

The Players

Hakim Ziyech, Youssef En-Nesyri, and Sofiane Boufal will once again form the forward line for The Atlas Lions, a trio that will put fear into every defence. When it comes to their own defence, Romain Saiss, Achraf Hakimi, and Nayef Aguerd will be key, whilst Sofyan Amrabat will patrol the midfield to great effect.

Romain Saiss & Hakim Ziyech 🇲🇦 pic.twitter.com/mReFa52qvx

— mackolik (@mackolik) January 6, 2024

Ivory Coast (7/1)

Host nations will always be considered to be tournament favourites, and the same can be said of this year’s hosts, Ivory Coast. Once a dominating force in African football, the 2015 winners may not be as strong as they have been in previous years, but with a raucous home crowd behind them, they are another team to take very seriously.

The Players

Nicolas Pepe and Sebastien Haller are the main attacking threats for The Elephants, and they will be supported by veteran Max Gradel and the top-class Franck Kessie. Nottingham Forest teammates Willy Boly and Serge Aurier will be in charge at the other end of the field, and this collection of stars will give them a great chance of becoming champions in front of the home fans.

With Riyad Mahrez’s Algeria, Mo Salah’s Egypt and the likes of Nigeria and Cameroon also coming into the tournament with high hopes, this year’s AFCON promises to be one of the most competitive editions in recent years.

Who is the best African player of all time between Drogba, Sadio mane, Mo Salah and Victor Osimhen❔ pic.twitter.com/IuRQqZKSaF

— 𝕿𝖍𝖆𝖙 𝕮𝖍𝖊𝖑𝖘𝖊𝖆 𝕭𝖔𝖞🐐 (@Chelsea_boi999) January 9, 2024

We hope you enjoyed the article ‘African Cup of Nations – Who Are the Favourites?’ Who do you think will win AFCON 2024? Let us know!

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