By Michael Madyira
The euphoria around the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations has reached fever pitch with the tournament set to kick off in Ivory Coast on Saturday.
With most focus on the teams that are likely to be crowned champions, Scrolla.Africa takes a look at the tournament’s outsiders who could nevertheless provide a few surprises:
Burkina Faso
It’s rare to hear Burkina Faso being mentioned as an Afcon contender despite the West Africans having had decent outings at the tournament in the last decade.
The Scorpions could pull a surprise in Ivory Coast with a squad headlined by Aston Villa forward Bertrand Traore and the experienced Adama Guira.
Zambia
Chipolopolo wrote arguably the most beautiful story of this tournament when they rose from being anonymous participants in 2012 to stun Ivory Coast and claim their maiden Afcon title.
Arriving at this year’s tournament against the backdrop of missing out on the last three Afcon editions, very few can recognise the Zambia that performed so beautifully in 2012.
Mali
The Eagles of Mali have never won Afcon before and they have been nowhere near the champions’ podium on the last four occasions they have been at the tournament.
They have often been written off but their Europe-based stars led by Tottenham Hotspur’s Yves Bissouma and Wolverhampton Wanderers midfielder Boubacar Traore should not be underrated.
DR Congo
The 1968 and 1974 African winners often ride on their history but have failed to deliver in modern times.
However, they have an experienced squad and several players in competitive leagues in Europe and how they have failed to win Afcon previously is difficult to explain.
South Africa
This is a team that has been battered left, right and centre for their inconsistency. One day they upset Morocco and the next they lose to lowly-placed Rwanda.
But that makes them unpredictable and they could make that work for them. Enduring stinging criticism might have toughened up the 1996 African champions, whom few are giving a chance.
Pictured above: Zambia forward Fashion Sakala leads his teammates at training ahead of Afcon.
Image source: Football Association of Zambia
