AFCON 2023: Players to Watch in Coming Africa Cup of Nations, Of course, here is the detailed information about the Africa Cup of Nations and the players to watch in Ivory Coast:
The African Cup of Nations (AFCON) is an international men’s football tournament held every two years organized by the Confederation of African Football (CAF). The tournament brings together the best national teams from across Africa to compete for the prestigious title of African football champion.
Originally scheduled last summer, CAN 2023 will now kick off on January 13, showcasing the best of African talent. The event is highly anticipated, as it promises to deliver an exciting month of international football.
AFCON 2023: Players to Watch in Coming Africa Cup of Nations
Now let’s take a closer look at five players to watch in Ivory Coast:
These players are expected to play a key role in Ivory Coast’s pursuit of success at CAN 2023. Stay tuned as they aim to make an impact on the continental stage.
Ousmane Diomandé (Ivory Coast)
Ivory Coast is the host country of the tournament as the Elephants aim to win the second AFCON title.
The Ivorians have a team mixed with experience and ability, with Ousmane Diomandé expected to be the brightest in their line-up. The central defender has been playing since he was signed by Sporting Lisbon from FC Midtjylland in January last year, becoming one of the most reliable defenders in European football.
Diomande ranks second in the Portuguese Premier League this season in touches (1,165) and successful passes (91%), while he ranks third in final three passes (94), dribbling percentage (83.3%) and distance to reach step by step (2,342). .
Sporting put an €80m (£69m) release clause in the 20-year-old’s contract when signing Diomande, a figure which the bigger clubs are already said to be willing to meet. He will form a strong core in central defense alongside Roma’s Evan Ndicka for the host nation.
Serhou Guirassy (Guinea)
Serhou Guirassy’s suitors will be keeping a close eye on developments in Ivory Coast this month, with the Guinea international one of the most in-demand players in world football.
A good start to the season (and a small release clause) has put the Stuttgart striker on the transfer wish list of Europe’s biggest clubs. Guirassy’s goals have catapulted Stuttgart into the Champions League race after two seasons battling relegation, with only Harry Kane and Kylian Mbappe ahead of the 27-year-old in Europe’s top five leagues.
Guirassy has scored 17 goals in 14 league matches and hopes to transfer that form to the international stage, with Guinea facing Senegal, Cameroon and Gambia in a tough group.
The striker represented France up to the U-20 level before declaring for his parents’ country. He has scored three goals for Guinea since he played for the first time in 2022.
Victor Boniface (Nigeria)
Nigeria’s mixed form has left the Super Eagles among the underdogs, despite having the most formidable frontline in the tournament.
Victor Osimhen is the star striker of José Peseiro’s projects and was the top scorer in the CAN qualifiers, with 10 goals. The Napoli striker is already fourth among his country’s all-time top scorers, with 20 goals. in only 27 matches.
However, Osimhen will not be the only threat for the Nigerians, following the emergence of Victor Boniface this season. Signed from Union Saint-Gilloise this summer, the 23-year-old enjoyed instant success at Bayer Leverkusen. Boniface has scored 16 goals and provided eight assists in 23 matches across all competitions for Leverkusen’s unbeaten side heading into the new year.
Since joining Leverkusen, Boniface ranks in the top five percent of forwards in Europe’s top five leagues for xG without penalties, shots, assists, sustained bursts, successful chances and offensive touches from the penalty area per minute 90.
He made his debut for Nigeria in September and since then has gone five games without conceding a goal. If the two Champions manage to click this month, it will be difficult to stop Nigeria.
Mohamed Amoura (Algeria)
Union Saint-Gilloise have helped develop top talent in recent seasons, with Boniface’s previously mentioned Brighton winger Kaoru Mitoma among the names that have been promoted to the Belgian side.
Algerian striker, Mohamed Amoura, could be the latest player to make the big leagues in Europe pay attention, after a good start to his football career with the club. The 23-year-old, who was Algeria’s top scorer during CAN 2023 qualification with three goals, arrived in Belgium with a goalscoring record but has exploded this season.
Amoura has averaged a goal every 66 minutes in the Jupiler Pro League, scoring 13 times in just nine starts this season. The young forward can operate in the front line and hopes to link up with Riyad Mahrez in the back three.
Bilal El Khannouss (Morocco)
Europe’s leading clubs have been monitoring the progress of Bilal El Khannouss this season, with the midfielder considered one of Morocco’s biggest talents in recent years.
The Atlas Lions have the strongest team in the tournament after being the first African nation to reach the semi-finals of the World Cup in Qatar last winter, and El Khannouss has added quality to his ranks.
The 19-year-old was voted the Belgian U-23 player of the year last season and has built a reputation as a forward-thinking midfielder.
Among all players in the 14 major leagues outside of Europe’s top five, the youngster ranks 97th percentile for passes per game (8.73) and ranks among his teammates for attempted passes. 88 percent). and planning measures (88 percent).
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