By Michael Madyira
The Africa Cup of Nations kicks off on Saturday and some teams arrive in the Ivory Coast heavily touted to be crowned African champions.
Scrolla.Africa looks at the possible title challengers:
Senegal
There are high expectations for the defending champions who have a surplus of stars in Ivory Coast.
Led by coach Aliou Cisse and his captain Kalidou Koulibaly, the likes of Sadio Mane and their six Premier League players, Senegal looks like a solid outfit to defend their title.
Morocco
As Africa’s highest-ranked team, they are still bubbling with confidence from their 2022 Fifa World Cup semi-final appearance more than a year after that achievement.
Ironically, they were last crowned African champions in 1976 but over the years they have been one of the title contenders and they hope to get it right this time around.
Ivory Coast
Being the hosts, home support as well as pressure will be key in driving the Elephants who last won Afcon nine years ago.
They have a formidable squad which captain Serge Aurier and coach Jean-Louis Gasset could turn into champions.
Ghana
A difficult choice between Ghana and Nigeria who have been poor in recent games going into Afcon.
Since being last crowned African champions in 1982, the Black Stars have been perennial underachievers at Afcon.
They often arrive at tournaments touted as favourites only to disappoint their fans and they are in Ivory Coast to atone for the agony of losing finalists on no fewer than five occasions.
Egypt
They are Africa’s most successful team with seven Afcon titles but it is now 14 years since they last claimed this tournament.
Mohamed Salah carries the heavy weight of expectations as he leads a squad packed with players who ply their trade in the Egyptian Premier League.
Pictured above: Morocco national team.
Image source: CAF
