It’s now not information that the most important soccer carnival within the continent, the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) is ready to kick off in seven days in Ivory Coast.
In line with CAF, the thirty fourth version of the event will function 24 groups with 52 matches performed throughout the six stadiums from January 13 to February 11, 2024.
The excessive level of the 2023 AFCON is the array of stars that will likely be on the bottom for the event.
Right here, BusinessDay takes a have a look at the 5 stars to look at in Ivory Coast.
Victor Osimhen
Nigeria ahead and the newly topped Africa Males’s Participant of the Yr Victor Osimhen will lead the Tremendous Eagles’ attacking line as Nigeria goals for its fourth AFCON title in Ivory Coast.
The 25-year-old Napoli striker was in spectacular kind for Parthenopeans final season, the place he helped the group clinch the Serie A title for the primary time in 33 years.
Osimhen, who completed as the highest scorer through the AFCON qualifying collection with 10 objectives, will goal to proceed his goal-scoring spree in Ivory Coast.
Tremendous Eagles head coach, Jose Peseiro will likely be banking on Osimhen to assist Nigeria clinch the 2023 AFCON title.
Mohamed Salah
Prolific Egyptian striker and captain, Mohamed Salah, will likely be one of many focal factors as he leads the Pharaoh’s squad of their twenty sixth AFCON look and hopefully break the jinx in Ivory Coast.
Salah has misplaced two AFCON finals – in 2017 as a younger striker and in 2021 because the captain as his aspect misplaced to Senegal in a penalty shootout.
Now the 31-yearly Salah who has been prolific for Liverpool this season will assist information Egypt to win their record-extending eighth AFCON time.
Sadio Mane
Senegal received the final AFCON version in 2021, defeating Egypt on penalties within the ultimate in Cameroon and Senegal captain Sadio Mane mentioned it could be a particular achievement for him to raise the AFCON title once more.
Mane received the Finest Participant within the 2021 AFCON and now will lead the Teranga Lions as they hope to defend their title.
In an interview with CAFOnline, the 31-year-old mentioned the AFCON trophy stays the most effective trophies he has received and is assured Senegal can defend the title.
Mohammed Kudus
Mohammed Kudus has been in inspiring kind for English Premiership aspect West Ham United, the 23-year-old Ghanaian sensation will likely be one of many key gamers for the Black Stars of their pursuit of their fifth AFCON title.
Vincent Aboubakar
Cameroon captain Vincent Aboubakar has been in elegant kind for the Indomitable Lions previously two years.
The 31-year-old Cameroon captain received the Golden Boot on the 2021 AFCON after scoring eight on the event.
Abubakar has to this point netted 37 objectives and is at present the third-highest scorer within the historical past of the Cameroonian nationwide group, behind Roger Milla who holds 43 objectives and Samuel Eto’o with 56 objectives.
His psychological power and management will likely be key in guiding his teammates to a sixth star for Cameroon.
