“At least 10 teams can win the Africa Cup of Nations” in the Ivory Coast starting from January 13, according to Walid Regragui, the man responsible for Morocco’s incredible run to the semi-finals of the 2022 World Cup.
The 48-year-old former international fullback did not specify which other teams are in the running for Africa’s most prestigious football award, but his Atlas Lions are clearly in the mix.
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Two years ago, Morocco made history by being the first African or Arab nation to reach the last round of the global spectacle. It was also the third country outside of Europe or South America to do so.
The 2024 event is likely to be the most open ever, as six editions have resulted in six different winning teams since Egypt finished three consecutive Cup of teams titles in 2010.
After the final on February 11 in Abidjan, AFP Sport has selected ten players they believe have the best chance of winning the trophy:
ALGERIA
After a disappointing 2022 campaign in which they failed to advance beyond the first round, Riyad Mahrez’s Algeria are now considered one of the top five rivals. In 2019, they were impressive champions.
In their pursuit of a third championship, Coach Djamel Belmadi’s Desert Foxes have fielded a mix of veterans and rookies, notably Baghdad Bounedjah, who won the match in the 2019 final.
Bulgarian Faso
Even though the Stallions aren’t on most people’s short lists of favorites, they have finished second, third, and fourth in their past four races since 2013.
Bertrand Traore’s lack of playing time at Aston Villa is disappointing, considering their abundance of players in prominent European leagues, notably Manchester City full-back Issa Kabore on loan at Luton Town.
On January 6, 2024, in Abidjan, vendors set up shop to sell football outfits for various clubs and national teams in the run-up to the 2024 Africa Cup of Nations. THE AP PHOTO
Cameroon is
When former star Rigobert Song took over as coach of the Indomitable Lions early last year, after their third-place finish at the last Cup of Nations, the team’s form became notoriously erratic.
While Cameroon beat Brazil, the record-holders for most World Cup victories, in Qatar, they were only able to collect one point out of six available against Namibia in their qualifying for the Ivory Coast.
The Egyptian
With a veteran group and Liverpool sensation Mohamed Salah in top form, the Pharaohs will be among the favorites to win a record-extending ninth championship.
Along with frequent scorers Omar Marmoush and Mostafa Mohamed, Salah has been disappointed to finish in second place in two of the last three finals. He will be hoping to change that this time around.
GHANA
The Black Stars are perennial favorites, but their dismal performance in 2026 World Cup qualifying makes it hard to see Chris Hughton’s squad winning the title.
After a last-gasp goal from Inaki Williams helped them beat visiting Madagascar in extra time, they were defeated by the courageous but ultimately unsuccessful Comoros, who did not advance to the 2024 Cup of Nations.
SUNSET BEACHES
As the nation strives for a third crown, all eyes will be on the Elephants as they face enormous expectations playing at home.
Jean-Louis Gasset, the French coach, has decided to rest Wilfried Zaha, a former winger for Crystal Palace, in favor of Seko Fofana, Sebastien Haller, and Ibrahim Sangare.
MOROCCO
Many consider Morocco, fresh off their World Cup victories against Belgium, Spain, and Portugal, to be the heavy favorites to win a second African championship, a feat they previously accomplished 48 years ago.
“Everyone wants to beat us after what we achieved in Qatar, but a lot of teams that did not go to the World Cup are favourites I think,” Regragui asserts.
Equatorial Guinea
The 23 other national team coaches must be green with jealousy over the Super Eagles’ forward lineup, which includes the newly crowned African Player of the Year, Victor Osimhen, and Victor Boniface.
Stanley Nwabili, who is based in South Africa, was called up as a potential substitute by coach Jose Peseiro, who has been heavily criticized for continuing with goalkeeper Francis Uzoho.
The Senegal
When the Teranga Lions won the championship two years ago, Edouard Mendy, Kalidou Koulibaly, Idrissa Gueye, and Sadio Mane—two-time African Player of the Year—formed the backbone of the squad.
Coach Aliou Cisse is hoping that the departure of all four players from their European base to the wealthy but less competitive Saudi Pro League would not weaken the team’s prospects of winning back-to-back championships. Gueye is the only remaining European player.
Tunisia —
The Carthage Eagles have made it to the Cup of Nations for an unprecedented sixteenth year in a row, although their best performance since hosting the tournament in 2004 was fourth place, achieved five years ago.
Youssef Msakni, a seasoned attacker, is part of a talented and experienced group that dares not be written out.