NIGERIA`S CHANCE OF WINNING FOURTH AFCON TROPHY THIS YEAR
OTHER TOP COUNTRIES
AFCON 2022, begins this Saturday and except for Liverpool fans, the rest of us are happy that we`ll get to see top African talents challenge for the trophy again this year. Nigeria and 23 other countries will be challenging this year, and well analyze Nigeria`s chances and some other top countries.
1-Group A : Cameroon, Burkina Faso, Ethiopie, Cape Verde
2-Group B : Senegal, Zimbabwe, Guinea, Malawi
3-Group C : Morocco, Ghana, Comoros, Gabon
4-Group D : Nigeria, Egypt, Sudan, Guinea-Bissau
5-Group E : Algeria, Sierra-Leone, Equatorial Guinea, Côte d’Ivoire
6-Group F : Tunisia, Mali, Mauritania, Gambia
Nigeria`s Chances
Matches In Group D
11 January: Nigeria-Egypt (11:00)
11 January: Sudan-Guinea-Bissau (14:00)
15 January: Nigeria-Sudan (11:00)
15 January: Guinea-Bissau-Egypt (14:00)
19 January: Guinea-Bissau-Nigeria (14:00)
19 January: Sudan-Egypt (14:00)
When the initial players list for the AFCON tournament was released, many Nigerians were hopeful, because of the talents and experience in the squad. Since then, Victor Osimhen and Emmanuel Dennis have been replaced. Osimhen was replaced because of COVID, while Watford refused to release Dennis Emmanuel. According to reports, Odion Ighalo will also miss this years tournament.
READ ALSO- NFL: MVP Race Down To Final Two
However, Nigeria still have a team filled with talents and they should compete at the tournament. They will face Egypt in their first group match, and on paper, that should be their toughest match in the group.
The Super Eagles should progress from their group and although there are not among the top 3 favorites to win the tournament, they can surprise many.
OTHER COUNTRIES
Egypt are the favorites to win the tournament, and that is not surprising given the form of Mohamed Salah.
2019 finalists Senegal are also up there. However, this year they will also have one of the best goalkeepers in the World in Edouard Mendy. Sadio Mane remains their talisman and he is backed to lead them into another final this year.
2019 champions Algeria still have in-form Manchester City forward Riyad Mahrez to lead their attack. Mahrez was spectacular at the last tournament for Algeria and they`ll be hoping they can still count on him this year.
Ivory Coast and Cameroon cannot be overlooked especially as the latter will be playing at home.
Ghana will always have a point to prove and it all just points towards an interesting tournament waiting to start on Saturday.
