The Favorites to Win AFCON 2023: The 34th edition of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) is expected to start on January 13, with Senegal aiming to defend the title they won for the first time in 2022.
CAN is a biennial event that has been held since its creation in 1957, making it a more frequent event than the World Cup and European Championships. Despite its regular schedule, the CAN circuit does not diminish its importance.
Originally scheduled for 2023, the next tournament was delayed due to bad weather in Ivory Coast, leading to its postponement.
Many nations will be vying to topple Senegal when the 2023 tournament begins, with several nations believing they have a legitimate shot at glory. The expectations and competition between these nations add to the excitement of the tournament as they compete for the AFCON championship.
The Favorites to Win AFCON 2023
1. Morocco
Morocco made history by reaching the World Cup semi-finals in 2022 and is aiming to win their first AFCON title since 1976. With their squad nearly identical from the World Cup, they are poised for a deep run in the Ivory Coast.
2. Senegal
Senegal is the current AFCON title holder and will be defending their crown in the Ivory Coast. The team has seen an influx of youth and their performance in the 2022 World Cup boosts their confidence. However, Sadio Mane’s form since leaving Liverpool is a concern.
3. Egypt
Egypt is the most successful nation at AFCON, having won the tournament seven times. Their success came before Mohamed Salah’s international debut, and they have been runners-up twice since his emergence. They heavily rely on Salah compared to their rivals.
4. Ivory Coast
The hosts are among the favorites to win AFCON. Although they no longer have superstars like Didier Drogba and Yaya Toure, they have a balanced squad with emerging stars like Simon Adingra, Ousmane Diomande, and Odilon Kossounou alongside experienced players like Franck Kessie and Sebastien Haller.
5. Nigeria
Nigeria boasts a strong attacking lineup with Victor Osimhen, Victor Boniface, Ademola Lookman Samuel Chukwueze, and Kelechi Iheanacho. Despite their talent, they have not performed well in major tournaments since winning AFCON in 2013. Manager Jose Peseiro’s competence has also been questioned.
Editors’ Picks
