5 teams who are favourites to win the AFCON 2023

4 months ago

The African Cup of Nations ( AFCON) is the gathering of the best teams on the continent as they lock horns to see which team will emerge as the winner when the curtain closes on the final day.

The stakeholders always look forward to every two years as the football stars come together to claim the bragging rights for the best team on the land. It is the the number one football event on the continent, and the 34th edition which will be hosted in Ivory Coast kicks off on Saturday, January 13, 2024.

Here are the five teams that have been considered favourites to win the AFCON 2023

(5) Ivory Coast

The host nation is always the favourite to win any competition around the world because of the support they get from the home fans whenever they face an opponent. They will be looking to repeat the triumph in 2015 defeating Ghana 9-8 on penalties in Bata, Equatorial Guinea after the game ended goalless after 120 minutes of football.

(4) Egypt

Egypt are always the number one favourite to win the African Cup of Nations whenever the competition takes center stage. The Pharaohs won the competition the most ( 1957, 1959, 1986, 1998, 2006, 2008, 2010) they will be looking to win the 2023 edition for the eighth time.

They came close to winning the trophy in 2021 but lost in the final to Senegal on penalties. However, the North Africans will be looking up to the duo of Mohamed Salah and Mohamed Elneny to lead them to victory in the Ivory Coast.

(3) Nigeria

Super Eagles of Nigeria AFCON 2023 Squad

The Super Eagles will not be underestimated by other nations when AFCON 2023 begins because of their history in the competition. The former African giants have won the tournament three times ( 1980, 1994, 2013) and won the bronze medal six times, a feat that no other team on the continent has achieved.

If this Nigerian team led by Jose Peseiro want to win this competition, they will have to rely on the services of Victor Osimhen who won the 2023 African footballer of the year and other players in the team.

(2) Senegal

The defending champions led by Aliou Cissé will be hoping they can win the competition back-to-back with his team which is a blend of both young and experienced players.
Senegal won their first AFCON title in 2021, defeating Egypt in the final on penalties following a 0–0 draw after extra time, they will be looking forward to winning the competition for the second time.

(1) Morocco

The Atlas Lions are the number-one team that everyone has considered the favourite to win the competition. The North Africans will be riding off their impressive performance at the 2022 FIFA World Cup where they became the first African team to reach the semi-final of the competition which was hosted in Qatar. They will be hoping to win the tournament for the first time since 1976.