Could Sadio Mane potentially score twice? Is Mohamed Salah expected to guide Egypt to a glorious victory?

The long-awaited 2023 Africa Cup of Nations is finally set to take place, as the top teams from the continent battle it out for supremacy. Originally scheduled for last summer, the tournament was postponed and moved to January 2024 due to climate concerns in the host nation Ivory Coast.

This edition of the tournament will feature a record 24 teams, a significant increase from the three teams that participated in the inaugural edition in 1957.

The hosts, Ivory Coast, will kick off the tournament against Guinea-Bissau in Abidjan. They are aiming to win the competition for the third time, but they will face tough competition despite having home advantage. Defending champions Senegal, World Cup semi-finalists Morocco, and record winners Egypt are all strong contenders. Other traditional African powerhouses such as Nigeria, Algeria, and Ghana will also be vying for the title. However, the tournament is known for its potential for upsets, as demonstrated by the success of teams like Zambia in 2012 and Burkina Faso in 2013.

In Group A, Ivory Coast and Nigeria are expected to advance to the next round. Ivory Coast boasts a star-studded squad, including players like Franck Kessie and Nicolas Pepe. Nigeria, led by Victor Osimhen, one of the hottest strikers in the world, will be looking to overcome their recent poor form and make a strong impression in the tournament. Equatorial Guinea and Guinea-Bissau will be hoping to cause upsets and secure a spot in the knockout stages.

Group B features Egypt, Ghana, Cape Verde, and Mozambique. Egypt, led by Mohamed Salah, will be determined to avenge their heartbreaking loss in the final of the 2022 edition. Ghana, on the other hand, will be looking to bounce back from their disappointing performance in the previous tournament. Cape Verde and Mozambique will be aiming to make their mark and progress to the next round.

Cameroon and Senegal are the standout teams in Group C. Cameroon, despite not winning the tournament on home soil in the previous edition, had a respectable third-place finish. They will be looking to build on that success and challenge for the title. Senegal, the defending champions, have a strong squad led by Sadio Mane. Gambia and Guinea will be hoping to secure a third-place finish and advance to the knockout stages.

Group D features Algeria, Angola, Burkina Faso, and Mauritania. Algeria, the 2019 champions, will be eager to redeem themselves after a disappointing performance in the previous edition. They have a talented squad, including players like Riyad Mahrez and Ismael Bennacer. Angola, Burkina Faso, and Mauritania will be looking to capitalize on any slip-ups from Algeria and secure a spot in the next round.

Group E consists of Tunisia, Mali, South Africa, and Namibia. South Africa, coached by Hugo Broos, will be hoping to make an impact with their domestic-based squad. Tunisia, winners in 2004, will be aiming for at least a quarter-final finish. Mali, who narrowly missed out on qualification for the World Cup, will be looking to make their mark. Namibia, the lowest-ranked team in the competition, will be hoping to cause an upset.

In Group F, Morocco, DR Congo, Zambia, and Tanzania will battle it out. Morocco, Africa’s highest-ranked team, will be under pressure to finally win the tournament after their impressive World Cup campaign. DR Congo, with a rich history in the competition, will be looking to surprise their opponents. Zambia, the shock champions in 2012, will be hoping to replicate their success. Tanzania, the lowest-ranked team in the competition, will be aiming to make a mark in their first appearance.

With the tournament set to kick off, fans can expect thrilling matches and intense competition as the teams fight for glory. The Africa Cup of Nations promises to be a showcase of the continent’s footballing talent and a celebration of African football.