AFCON 2023: Who could star at tournament in Ivory Coast? – Who could star at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations? The 34th Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) is scheduled to begin in Ivory Coast on January 13 and culminate with the final in Abidjan on February 11.
As the tournament continues, several Premier League teams will experience the absence of important players, while Liverpool will have intelligent players. striker Mohamed Salah, with a particular motivation to end Egypt’s 14-year quest for continental success.
Ahead of the AFCON, BBC Sport Africa takes a look at six players, each motivated by unique reasons to leave an indelible mark on the tournament.
This profile captures the different narratives and expectations that will emerge on the African football scene. With the spotlight on Ivory Coast, fans are eagerly awaiting the performances of these players, whose stories are expected to add fascinating layers to the ongoing drama of Afcon 2023.
Who could star at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations?
Serhou Guirassy (Guinea)
The striker has had a good start to the season with the Stuttgart club, scoring 15 goals in the first 10 matches of the German Bundesliga.
The 27-year-old former France international will travel to the AFCON for the first time after making his debut in Guinea in March 2022.
Senegal, the reigning champions, and Cameroon, the continent’s giants, provide handsome company for Syli National in Group C, while Gambia, who qualified for the second time, complete the line-up.
Injuries in November halted his momentum and Guinea will hope Guirassy has hung up his boots as the West Africans look to reach the knockout stages.
Mohammed Kudus (Ghana)
Ghana will travel to neighboring Ivory Coast to avoid a repeat of their group stage exit from the 2021 Nations Cup, which included a 3-2 defeat by Comoros.
The Black Stars were disappointed in their first two qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup – and thunder struck twice as the West Africans lost again to Comoros.
Kudus was Ghana’s top scorer in the Nations Cup qualifiers, scoring three goals, and his influence at West Ham United has continued to grow since his move to the Premier League club in August.
After scoring twice in the 2022 World Cup final, can the 23-year-old striker help Ghana return to the top of African football despite a tough first test against Egypt?
Azzedine Ounahi (Morocco)
The midfielder’s impressive performances in Morocco’s history at the 2022 World Cup were the main reason why Ounahi joined French giants Marseille after the final.
However, a broken leg while on duty with the Atlas Lions in March ended his season after just seven league matches in a short time for his new team.
The 23-year-old is trying to return to the heights he reached in Qatar, and Ounahi did not feature in the North Africans’ only World Cup qualifier in November.
However, coach Walid Regragui could return to the man who was a key pillar in reaching the World Cup semi-finals as Morocco face DR Congo, Zambia and Tanzania in Group F.
Issa Kaboré (Burkina Faso)
The right-back was voted best young player of the 2021 final, prompting Burkina Faso to reach the top four before losing to eventual champions Senegal.
Kabore has been on Manchester City’s books since joining from Belgian club Mechelen in 2020 but is still awaiting his first game for the reigning English and European Premier League champions.
After loan spells in France at Troyes and Marseille, the 22-year-old is now getting a taste of the English Premier League with Luton Town, who are battling relegation.
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