AFCON 2023: Meet the 11 soccer stars ready to light up Ivory Coast
Without a doubt, the 2023 African Cup of Nations (AFCON 2023) will be one of the most memorable competitions in recent years due to the quality of the key actors that will grace the Ivorian turf.
The two teams participating in this competition have two of the continent's top strikers, Victor Osimhen of Nigeria and Mohamed Salah of Egypt.
The Guardian introduces 11 players who are ready to shine in Ivory Coast when the tournament begins on Saturday, January 13, 2024.
Yassine Bounou (Morocco, Al Hilal)
Moroccan goalkeeper Yassin Bounou (2R) catches the ball during the Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) 2021 soccer quarter-final match between Egypt and Morocco at Stade Ahmadou Ahidjo in Yaounde on January 30, 2022. (Photo by: CHARLY TRIBALLEAU/AFP)
Yassin Bounou made great saves as a goalkeeper in regulation time, extra time, and penalty shootouts at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, contributing greatly to Morocco's fourth place finish.
Bounu also won the Europa League against Sevilla, saving two spot kicks in a 4–1 penalty shootout against Roma in a penalty shootout after the final had finished 1–1.
The 32-year-old, who is currently plying his trade with Al Hilal of the Saudi Pro League, is undoubtedly the number one goalkeeper to watch at AFCON 2023.
Achraf Hakimi (Morocco, Paris Saint-Germain)
Morocco's defender Denis Chembezi challenges him during the African Cup of Nations (CAN) 2021 round of 16 soccer match between Morocco and Malawi held at Stade Ahmadou Ahidjo in Yaounde on January 25, 2022. DF Achraf Hakimi (back). (Photo: Kenzo Tribouillard/AFP)
Achraf Hakimi helped Morocco reach the FIFA World Cup semi-finals for the first time in Africa and is one of the favorites to win the CAF Men's Player of the Year award in 2023.
However, Hakimi lost out to Napoli's Victor Osimhen and Nigeria's Mohamed Salah, making him one of the three finalists for the CAF Men's Player of the Year award.
The 25-year-old is undoubtedly the right-back to watch at AFCON 2023, scoring five goals and providing six assists in 39 games in all competitions for Paris Saint-Germain last season, helping them lift the Ligue 1 title. Obtained.
Ramy Bensebaini (Algeria, Borussia Dortmund)
Algerian defender Ramy Bensebaini prepares for a header during the 2021 African Cup of Nations (CAN) Group E football match between Algeria and Equatorial Guinea at the Stade de Japoma in Douala on January 16, 2022. (2R). (Photo courtesy of CHARLY TRIBALLEU/AFP)
Ramy Bensebaini is a defender who is very strong in the air and is good at blocking, passing and intercepting the ball, as he has always done in both Algeria and Borussia Dortmund.
Although Bensebaini has some weaknesses, such as his ability to cross the ball and his discipline on the pitch, he has performed very well since joining Dortmund on a free transfer in the summer of 2023.
The 28-year-old left-back moved to the Bundesliga in 2019, joining Borussia Mönchengladbach from Rennes in France, and has since made 108 appearances in Germany's top flight, scoring 19 goals.
Kalidou Coulibaly (Senegal, Al Hilal)
Senegalese defender Kalidou Koulibaly celebrates the victory between Senegal and Egypt in the Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) 2021 football final at Stade Drembs in Yaounde, February 6, 2022 (Photo by Daniel Bellomou Oromo/AFP)
Kalidou Koulibaly made a big contribution to helping Senegal win their first AFCON title in Cameroon in 2022, and despite the fact that he left Europe, Teranga Lions still have faith in the defender .
Koulibaly will still be essential for Senegal to retain the AFCON trophy in Ivory Coast, although the centre-back insists the 2023 competition will be the best ever.
The 32-year-old will do his best to help Teranga Lions, where the reigning champions are one of the strong title contenders, as they aim to reach their third consecutive AFCON final after 2019 and 2022.
Edmond Tapsoba (Burkina Faso, Bayer Leverkusen)
Bayer Leverkusen's Nigerian forward Victor Boniface (right) during the UEFA Europa League Group H soccer match between BK Hacken and Bayer Leverkusen on November 30, 2023 in Gothenburg, Sweden. Bayer Leverkusen celebrates with Burkina Faso defender Edmond Tapsoba (left) after scoring the opening goal (Photo courtesy of AFP)
Edmond Tapsova's Bayer Leverkusen's quality performances week after week have kept Bayer Leverkusen at the top of the German Bundesliga and the team has yet to lose a match so far during the 2023-24 season.
According to a report from RMC Sport, Tapsova has performed so well for Leverkusen that the centre-back has joined Paris Saint-Germain's growing list of centre-back candidates.
Despite his young age, the 24-year-old, who is already in his fifth season with Leverkusen, will be a key player for Burkina Faso at the 2023 AFCON due to his aggressive tackling and ability to jump from defense to attack.
Pape Matar Sar (Senegal, Tottenham)
Pape Matar Sarr runs with the ball during Tottenham's Premier League match. Photo: AFP
Pape Matar Sarr, along with a reliable defensive midfielder like the Tottenham Hotspur player, will greatly help Senegal retain the AFCON trophy they won in Cameroon in 2022.
Sarr has already established himself as an essential first-team player under Spurs manager Ange Postecoglou and recently secured a new long-term contract from the north London club.
The 21-year-old has made 33 appearances in all competitions since returning to Tottenham and has scored five goals, including two in 18 Premier League games so far this season.
Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa (Cameroon, Naples)
Cameroon's Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa will be active in the 2022 FIFA World Cup. Photo: AFP
Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa is certainly one of Africa's best midfielders at the moment, and it's no wonder he remains at the heart of Cameroon's Indomitable Lions.
Anguissa played a major role in helping Napoli win their first Serie A title in 33 years in the 2022/23 season and is at the top of his game, with many teammates looking to him for guidance.
After the Lions finished third in the AFCON hosted by Cameroon in 2022, he was able to lead the Lions to success in Ivory Coast and has proven himself for both club and country whenever required. .
Mohamed Kudus (Ghana, West Ham)
Mohamed Kudus celebrates after scoring a goal for Ghana against South Korea at the 2022 FIFA World Cup. Photo: AFP
Mohammed Kudus is one of the most skilled players to come out of Africa and his versatility in the middle of the pitch and up front will be essential for Ghana's Black Stars.
The 24-year-old has precise ball control, an eye for the killer pass and the ability to score from almost anywhere on the pitch. He also dominated the Premier League this season with West Ham United.
Kudus, who has scored 10 goals in 24 games in all competitions for the Hammers, is 12th on the Premier League goals per minute list despite being more of an attacking midfielder than a full-fledged striker. It is located at the top. He's not even in the top six in England's top flight.
Mohamed Salah (Egypt, Liverpool)
Egypt fights for the ball with Nigerian defender William Troost-Ekuon during the 2021 African Cup of Nations (CAN) soccer Group D match between Nigeria and Egypt at Stade Lumde Asia in Garoua, January 11, 2022. forward Mohamed Salah (left). (Photo) Written by Daniel Bellomou Oromo/AFP)
They say, “Success is not final and failure is not fatal.” The weight of these words must have resonated with the Egyptian god who descended upon the people in the image of Mohamed Salah.
Salah's move from Swiss side FC Basel to Chelsea in 2014 was seen as a failure by those who judged his success.
After two years of struggles, loan spells with Fiorentina and Roma saw him develop into one of the most dangerous forwards in Premier League history.
Liverpool have endured their most difficult period since Jurgen Klopp took over as manager last season, with major on-field changes being made.
In recent seasons, Salah has formed a formidable front three alongside Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino.
They brought the Reds the Premier League title and the UEFA Champions League trophy.
Salah's wizardry remained undiminished despite Klopp's attack into the midfield and clear-outs that affected Mane and Firmino.
He made history last year when he became the club's all-time top scorer in the Premier League after defeating Manchester United 7-0 at Anfield in March.
He broke numerous records for the club, including the all-time top scorer in the UEFA Champions League.
In 2023, at club level, Salah scored 24 goals in the English top flight. Scored one goal in the UEFA Champions League. Once in the Carabao Cup. Once in the FA Cup and three times in the UEFA Europa League.
The Egyptian Pharaohs captain scored 30 goals in 2023 alone, making him the most goalscorer among forwards who played in AFCON.
Salah is aiming for his first trophy with Egypt at AFCON 2023.
Sadio Mane (Senegal, Al Nasr)
Senegalese forward is challenged by Cape Verde defender Steven Fortes during the African Cup of Nations (CAN) 2021 round of 16 football match between Senegal and Cape Verde at Stade de Coucon in Bahousam on January 25, 2022. Sadio Mane (left). (Photo provided by Pius Utomi Ekpei/AFP)
Sadio Mane may have lost his brilliant touch in front of goal during his time at Liverpool, but Senegal have nothing to gain from the forward as they look to defend the AFCON trophy they won in Cameroon in 2022. There shouldn't be.
Mane and his team aim to become the first country to retain the title since Egypt won it three years in a row from 2006 to 2010, and he remains the country's main player.
Defending player of the match, the Teranga Lions star will be in the spotlight once again as he captains his team to defend their title at AFCON 2023 despite requesting a trade with Saudi Arabia's Al Nasr He will become a man.
Victor Osimhen (Nigeria, Naples)
Nigeria's Victor Osimhen wins the Men's Player of the Year award at the 2023 Confederation of African Football (CAF) Awards in Marrakech on December 11, 2023 (Photo credit: AFP)
Is there anything more to say about Victor Osimhen? 2023 literally became the year for the Napoli striker. Since his big-money move from Lille to the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium in 2020, Osimhen has developed into a potent force and his profile has steadily risen.
Each season overlapped with the other. Last year was a culmination for the 25-year-old, who has transformed into one of the world's most lethal attackers.
He was the famous protagonist of the Partenopei's fairytale Scudetto win last season, which saw them reach Napoli for the first time in 33 years.
Osimhen made history on several fronts this year, scoring 31 goals in all competitions in the 2022/23 season alone.
He finished the year with 24 goals in the league and five times in Europe last year alone, scoring 29 goals, one goal short of Salah's record.
Victor Osimhen will be representing Nigeria at the 2019 AFCON. Photo: AFP
Thanks to his tireless efforts to help Napoli win the league, he scored 26 goals in a season and became the first African to win the Golden Boot award in the league's 125-year history.
He surpassed George Weah's record of 46 goals. This is the best record in the league for an African player. He also surpassed Samuel Eto'o's record for most goals in a single season by an African player in the league.
These milestones earned him eighth place in the 2023 Ballon d'Or, the highest finish by an African player last year.
He is also the first Super Eagle to be nominated for the award in 24 years since Nwankwo Kanu in 1999. Even more gratifying, he was named CAF Male Player of the Year at an awards ceremony held in Marrakech, Morocco on December 11th. It will go down in the history of Nigerian sports.
Source: guardian.ng