Africa Cup of Nations kicks off in Cameroon with style
The 33rd Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) got underway in Cameroon on 9 January, having been delayed for a year due to the coronavirus pandemic.
The Indomitable Lions of Cameroon exited the Nations Cup three years ago in the round of 16, and the ultimate goal for their privileged position as the tournament hosts will be to win the continent’s most coveted silverware for the sixth time.
Names to watch
As some of football’s biggest names fight it out for Africa’s top prize, Liverpool duo Mohamed Salah, and Sadio Mane and a group of star-studded talent are vying to win the continent’s crown, with Manchester City’s Riyad Mahrez looking to defend Algeria’s title.
Senegal defender Kalidou Koulibaly who plays with his club at Serie A side Napoli is widely regarded as being one of the top defenders in the world.
Another defender to keep an eye on is Morocco and Paris Saint-Germain player Achraf Hakimi. The talented 23-year-old has already earned 41 international caps for his country.
Guinea midfielder, Ilaix Moriba, may only be 18 years old but he’s certainly one to watch. The former Barcelona player moved to RB Leipzig at the end of last season and his skills have earned him comparisons to Paul Pogba!
Highly competitive
It is going to be a highly competitive competition, especially with some of the biggest names in world football taking to the stage, including Chelsea and Senegal’s goalkeeper, Edouard Mendy; Arsenal and Ghanaian midfielder, Thomas Partey. Both players are having excellent seasons and you would expect them to shine in Cameroon.
Leicester has four players competing at the tournament, Nigerian duo, Wilfred Ndidi and Kelechi Iheanacho, Ghanaian Daniel Amartey and Senegalese Papy Mendy, with that number of first-team players out of the squad, it will “hurt a lot”, according to Leicester manager Brendan Rodgers.
Leicester City could have been even further hit by Africa Cup of Nations absences had FIFA processed Ademola Lookman’s international switch on time. Lookman, who is on loan to Leicester from the German club, RB Leipzig, scored the winner against Liverpool in City’s final game of 2021, and was named on Nigeria’s provisional squad list for the competition. But Lookman was not cleared by the world football body FIFA to represent Nigeria on time before the start of the competition.
With Zimbabwe threatened with expulsion from the tournament, the Zambian FA have said they would be ready to replace them in Cameroon, having finished as the best loser to miss out in qualifying round.
If Zambia replaces Zimbabwe, Leicester City could lose yet another player, as striker Patson Daka is on standby to represent Zambia at AFCON at short notice.
Preparations have been taking place for over a week before the start of the competition. Last Wednesday, Amartey played 90 minutes for Ghana in a friendly with reigning champions Algeria. Playing at right-back, Amartey and the Black Stars went down 3-0, with former City striker Islam Slimani on target for Algeria.
AFCON is full of surprises
AFCON has thrown up many surprises over the years and this is a tournament where teams with the most high-profile players don’t necessarily win the trophy. Zambia completed a fairy tale of football history a decade ago when they won the 28th edition of AFCON at a time when no one expected them to win.
Zambia coach, Herve Renard describes the country’s remarkable Africa Cup of Nations glory in 2012 as a “help from God.” He said, “It was a sign of destiny, written in the sky. There was a force with us. I think God has helped us and given us strength.”
Egypt is the most successful nation in the cup’s history, having won the tournament seven times. Could Mo Salah and his men make it a record eighth win?
Current holders Algeria will no doubt be hoping to defend their title for the first time.
Cameroon must reach the final
Cameroon, the host of this year’s competition must reach the final, otherwise, there will be trouble. According to their Portuguese coach, Antonio Conceicao, “It will be a difficult journey for Cameroon if we don’t reach the final.”
The 60-year-old coach has admitted they will be labelled as failures if they don’t reach the final of the Africa Cup of Nations on their home soil, especially as they have been pooled in Group A alongside lesser teams such as Burkina Faso, Cape Verde, and Ethiopia.
Conceicao has been in charge since September 2019 and adores controlling games from kick-off. Under him, Cameroon has reverted to a high-intensity game where the wing-backs are expected to defend and attack in equal measure.
The Indomitable Lions’ forte is in midfield, where they’re laced with talent that can dominate possession and dictate the tempo of the game. Cameroon’s attacking armada is well trained with Bayern Munich’s Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting a kingpin, while Karl Toko Ekambi (Lyon) has been given more responsibility.
Despite only returning to action in November after a lengthy suspension, Ajax goalkeeper Andre Onana is undoubtedly the first-choice keeper and his heroics during the 2022 World Cup qualifier against Ivory Coast have no doubt sealed his spot.
Cameroon will face the Stallions in their opener on January 9 at Stade Omnisport Paul Biya, Olembe, to battle the Walias on January 13 before winding up their group fixtures with a clash against the Island nation on January 17.