The 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, as is now customary with every edition, has had its fair share of wild upsets and giant-killing. Yet, there are some undisputed favourites who everyone expects to reach the latter stages of the competition.
Possessing not just the depth of talent, but also the technical and tactical advantage to go toe-to-toe with any team in Africa; this article takes a look at the top three sides who are likely to win the AFCON come February 11, 2024.
Senegal
Senegal will surely consider themselves real contenders for this tournament after three dominant performances in the group stage. Aliou Cisse’s side are the only ones to complete the first round with a 100 per cent record after they brushed past Gambia, Cameroon and Guinea by conceding only once.
Senegal may have a lesser pedigree in this competition compared to more successful West African giants Nigeria, Ivory Coast and Ghana, but they carry the torch as the region’s strongest side this term. The Teranga Lions finished as runners-up after losing the final to Algeria in 2019 but finally won their maiden AFCON title in Cameroon.
Senegal are showing no signs of slowing down and are backed to reach another final considering their defensive solidity and quality in the final third. Having scored eight times already, Senegal remain the team to beat and can be confident going into their Last 16 tie with Ivory Coast.
Morocco
The highest-ranked team in the continent are proving their mettle after easing through Group F with seven points. Morocco are stacked with star power and impressed in the first round by having the most players in the Team of the Group Stage including Nayef Aguerd, Achraf Hakimi, Sofyan Amrabat and Azzedine Ounahi.
The pre-tournament favourites secured seven points from three matches against Tanzania, DR Congo and Zambia and there is more to come from the Atlas Lions when they face South Africa.
Should they go as far as expected, they will not be lacking in support after doing the host nation a huge favour by beating Zambia to send Ivory Coast into the Last 16.
Equatorial Guinea
Equatorial Guinea have had a love affair with the AFCON right from when they co-hosted it with Gabon in 2012 and then did so alone in 2015. The Nzalang Nacional have reached at least the Last Eight in all three of their AFCON outings so far and they look primed for a deep run into the ongoing tournament.
They have the tournament’s top-scorer, Emilio Nsue, within their ranks and Juan Michá will be confident of leading his side to another stunning campaign. Equatorial Guinea are also the best attacking team with nine goals so far, and the favoured sides will be keen to avoid them.
Los Elefantes are capable of hurting any side as they have the firepower as well as the know-how of the players to navigate knockout African football. It will certainly be interesting to see them prove their credentials against Guinea in the Round of 16.
Football Lover. All-round junkie of the beautiful game. Could be found watching football most of the time. If not he’s writing about them or making some punditry you don’t agree with. A certain bias for Arsenal and Santos FC.
