A reliable performer in Tunisia and a dynamic and explosive Mali side headline Group E at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations as Pan-Africa Football continues its preview of Africa’s top national team competition. Two nations from the COSAFA region of Southern Africa are also eager to surprise with the Bafana Bafana of South Africa looking to announce their presence on the continental stage again while surprise package Namibia attempt to prove they should not be overlooked. Read more on all four teams and the players to watch in our preview below:
Tunisia
Resumé
FIFA Ranking: 28
CAF Ranking: 3
Nickname: Les Aigles de Carthage (The Carthage Eagles)
Previous Appearances: 20
Best Finish: Champions (2004)
Manager
Jalel Kadri
The veteran coach, an assistant at the time, oversaw Tunisia’s 2021 Africa Cup of Nations victory over Nigeria in the Round of 16 due to the Covid-19 infection of head coach Mondher Kebaier and a temporary stay was expected when he took over on an interim basis after Kebaier departed following the competition. However, Kadri led Tunisia to the title of the 2022 Kirin Cup, an exhibition tournament hosted by Japan, and was in charge when the Carthage Eagles defeated France at the 2022 FIFA World Cup allowing him to retain the faith of the Tunisian federation. The 52-year-old will now face a serious test in Ivory Coast where Tunisian supporters have a higher set of expectations and only a run to the quarterfinal stage or later will allow Kadri to keep his job. While the Tunisia team continues to achieve decent results it is going to be a difficult task for Kadri to match expectations considering the lack of stars in his squad relative to Africa’s leading contenders.
2023 AFCON Squad
Key Players
Ellyes Skhiri
Club: Eintracht Frankfurt (GER)
Position: Central Midfield
The French-born midfielder is a model of consistency. Skhiri continues his reputation in German football as a reliable deep-lying midfielder who can occasionally contribute a goal or assist with late runs into the penalty area. Midfield is the department in which Tunisia maintains a high level of quality and it all begins with Shkiri who was highly involved in Tunisia’s fourth place finish at the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations and won the country’s award for Footballer of the Year in 2021.
Aïssa Laïdouni
Club: Union Berlin (GER)
Position: Central Midfield
Partnering Shkiri in the center of the midfield at the 2022 FIFA World Cup, Laïdouni proved his abilities in Qatar where Tunisia only conceded one goal in three matches due in large part to the tenacity of the midfield. A Man of the Match performance against Denmark continued the tenacious player’s rise on the international stage. It is only fitting that the 27-year-old won the Tunisian Footballer of the Year award a year after Skhiri in 2022 and earned a move to the big stage of the German Bundesliga with Union Berlin after spending time in the lower leagues of his native France as well as in Romania and with top Hungarian club Ferencváros. Laïdouni plays with a high level of intensity but like Shkiri he also has the technical ability to help support the Tunisian attack.
Youssef Msakni
Club: Al-Arabi (QAT)
Position: Winger/Forward
Tunisia has a reputation of remaining solid in the defense and midfield but what prevent the Carthage Eagles from approaching the top of African football is the lack of goals. Out of the options in attack, Msakni is the most consistent source of goals and the 33-year-old will serve as the captain in Ivory Coast. While he and Naïm Sliti are reliable players who prefer to operate on the wing, their combined record of 10 goals in 39 appearances at the Africa Cup of Nations requires more support from the striker position at the head of the formation where Tunisia continues to lack a reliable option.
Other Players to Watch
Ali Abdi- A left back who is very confident moving forward, the 30-year-old has accumulated ten goals and nine assists over two-and-a-half seasons with French Ligue 2 side Caen. The former Club Africain star is a consistent presence with plenty of pace and advanced crossing ability that will give Tunisia width on the attack.
Yassine Meriah- There were doubts that the vocal and strong central defender would recover his best form after a devastating knee injury during the 2020-21 season but he has done excellently to recover his spot in the Tunisia team. The 30-year-old brings firm leadership to the heart of the Carthage Eagles defense and is among the best defenders in African club football with Tunisian giants Espérance ST.
The Striker Position- Tunisia and coach Kadri continue the search for a reliable option to lead the line but it is unclear who Kadri will utilize. Stade Tunisien forward Haythem Jouini is a physically imposing presence who is in top form in Tunisia’s Ligue 1 with five goals this season after scoring eleven goals in all competitions last season. Taha Khenissi, based in Kuwait, is an adequate if unspectacular option who will make the necessary runs but his ability is well known. Zamalek striker Seifeddine Jaziri has plenty of speed but has not been very prolific when selected and this level appears to be above his abilities.
Evaluation
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South Africa
Resumé
FIFA Ranking: 66
CAF Ranking: 12
Nickname: Bafana Bafana (The Boys)
Previous Appearances: 10
Best Finish: Champions (1996)
Manager
Hugo Broos
A Belgian tactician who also had a long and successful career as a player, making several appearances as Belgium finished fourth at the 1986 FIFA World Cup in Mexico. Broos has a good reputation in African football having led Cameroon to the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations title and also previously managed in Algerian club football. The 71-year-old is known for his frank honesty which drew criticism from South African supporters after Broos downplayed the level of play in the country’s top division Premier Soccer League, something that has resulted in an ongoing tension between Broos and the administration of the PSL as well as followers of the PSL. It appears to be a calculated gamble by the coach as he looks to motivate his players to arrive in Ivory Coast and leave a strong impression.
2023 AFCON Squad
Key Players
Percy Tau
Club- Al Ahly (EGY)
Position- Winger/Forward
The attacker who developed at Mamelodi Sundowns exploded onto the scene in South Africa’s PSL in 2016 when he played a significant role as Sundowns won the CAF Champions League, an accomplishment he followed up by becoming co-leading scorer in the league in the 2017-18 season. After several seasons on loan in Belgian football from English club Brighton, the 29-year-old is back in African football and thriving with Egyptian giants Al Ahly. Just recognized as the African Inter-Club Player of the Year at the 2023 CAF Awards for his heroics during Al Ahly’s capture of the 2022-23 CAF Champions League, expectations are high for Tau and the diminutive winger will be South Africa’s greatest goal threat in Ivory Coast.
Teboho Mokoena
Club: Mamelodi Sundowns (RSA)
Position: Central Midfield
South African champions and newly crowned African Football League winners Mamelodi Sundowns continue to fly the flag for the nation’s football and Mokoena is the midfield general for the Pretoria club. A player who possesses accurate passing ability and a strong long range shot, Mokoena will get his first opportunity at the Africa Cup of Nations after previously starring for South African youth national teams at the FIFA U-20 World Cup, the U-23 Africa Cup of Nations and the 2020 Summer Olympics. Mokoena is a crucial playmaker for Bafana Bafana and the most irreplaceable player in the squad for Broos.
Ronwen Williams
Club: Mamelodi Sundowns (RSA)
Position: Goalkeeper
A goalkeeper developed at the excellent academy of SuperSport United, Williams spent ten years at the club before making a big money move to Pretoria rivals Mamelodi Sundowns where his excellent reflexes played a major role as Sundowns won the inaugural African Football League in November. While the adventurous goalkeeper can frighten supporters due to a high confidence with the ball at his feet, the 31-year-old is continuing to reduce his mistakes and has incredible reflexes making his performances a major factor for South Africa’s fortunes in Ivory Coast.
Other Players to Watch
Themba Zwane- Initially disregarded by coach Broos due to his age, the 34-year-old attacking playmaker has earned his way into the discussion with strong club form and appears set to play an important role for Bafana Bafana. Yet another member of the team who stars at South African champions Mamelodi Sundowns where he has played since 2011. Zwane is a dynamic dribbler who excels in tight spaces and quick combination play with a well known ability to score or create goals.
Evidence Makgopa- The absence of Burnley striker Lyle Foster was a crushing blow to South Africa’s hopes of making a strong impression and it appears that the Orlando Pirates striker Makgopa has the most potential to win the opportunity to lead the Bafana attacking line. The 23-year-old has an impressive physical profile with plenty of strength but has scored only five goals in all competitions for his club since joining a season-and-a-half ago from Baroka. Club teammate Zakhele Lepasa is the other primary candidate, another natural striker who has more pace and work rate but his record in South Africa’s top division Premier Soccer League is underwhelming as well.
Khuliso Mudau- A rangy right back or wing back who possesses devastating pace, the Mamelodi Sundowns defender continues to impress at his club. South Africa should have few issues dealing with pace on the wings because of Mudau and his club teammate Aubrey Modiba on the left flank, with Modiba also a capable striker from set pieces if Bafana Bafana need a left foot on free kicks or corner kicks.
Evaluation
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Mali
Resumé
FIFA Ranking: 51
CAF Ranking: 9
Nickname: Les Aigles (The Eagles)
Previous Appearances: 12
Best Finish: Runner-up (1972)
Manager
Éric Chelle
The 46-year-old represented Mali a handful of times during his playing career as a defender and took on the head coaching duties for the Eagles in 2022 following five years of experience in the lower divisions of French club football. The results have been mostly excellent for Mali under Chelle with creative attacking football making Les Aigles an entertaining team to watch. With an increase of talented young Malians moving to European club football in recent years this group has plenty of potential and the ability to overwhelm their opponents on their best days. Mali is very capable of making a deep run into the latter stages of the competition in Ivory Coast and are a team that Africa’s top nations will want to avoid.
2023 AFCON Squad
Key Players
Hamari Traoré
Club: Real Sociedad (ESP)
Position: Right Back
The last two seasons saw the Bamako native just miss out on winning the prestigious Prix Marc-Vivien Foé award given to the top player in French club football who represents an African national team. However that does not diminish the Mali captain’s exceptional consistency during his six seasons at Stade Rennais and the right back is enjoying another productive season with Real Sociedad after completing a move to the Spanish club for the 2023-24 campaign. Strong in both defense and attack, Traoré is the veteran leader who sets an excellent example for his younger teammates.
Yves Bissouma
Club: Tottenham Hotspur (ENG)
Position: Central Midfield
In a very strong group of central midfielders, the Tottenham Hotspur player is the player with the most pedigree. While highly regarded teammates Mohamed Camara and Cheick Doucouré provide more industry and commitment to defense, Bissouma has more technical ability to unlock opposing defenses and make an impact in attack. Developed in Bamako within the academy network of former French national team player Jean-Marc Guillou, the 27-year-old made his breakthrough into European club football after playing a major role in Mali’s run to the final of the 2016 African Nations Championship (CHAN) for national teams composed of domestic based players.
Nene Dorgeles
Club: Red Bull Salzburg (AUT)
Position: Winger
An injury to powerful striker Ibrahima Koné is disappointing for the Malian team but it might open up an opportunity for 21-year-old attacker Nene. His role with the national team fluctuates with the occasional selection in the eleven but coach Chelle enjoys using the Red Bull Salzburg player as a substitute where his electric pace and flair is excellent for punishing tired defenders. It will be interesting to see how Nene is used but his unpredictability adds an intriguing element to the Malian attack whether he plays as a winger or as a forward.
Other Players to Watch
Kamory Doumbia- The central midfield position is very strong for Mali with Bissouma, Amadou Haidara, Lassana Coulibaly and Aliou Dieng among the excellent options. However this could be a tournament where 20-year-old Doumbia might shine because of his eagerness to attack and eye for goal. Enjoying a strong season on loan at Stade Brestois from fellow French Ligue 1 club Stade Reims, Doumbia is in excellent form with five goals and two assists in twelve matches in Ligue 1 play making him a wildcard at the disposal of coach Chelle.
Boubacar Kouyaté- The Montpellier central defender best known as “Kiki” has recovered well after his crucial mistake made all the difference in Mali’s 1-0 aggregate defeat to Tunisia in the playoff round of qualifying for the 2022 FIFA World Cup. Kouyaté is a dominating presence in the air and has learned well from the difficult experience to establish himself as a regular contributor to the Malian defense and continue his gradual improvement in European club football.
Ibrahim Sissoko- It is difficult to know who coach Chelle will select to lead his forward line after the injury-related absence of regular goal scorer Ibrahima Koné but Sissoko is probably in the best form out of all the options. A strong and tall marksman at 192cm, Sissoko has eight goals this season in France’s Ligue 2 for Saint-Étienne and is likely to get a look even if his form has cooled down at his club. There are plenty of other options including Sekou Koïta, Lassine Sinayoko, UAE-based Youssoufou Niakaté as well as Moussa Doumbia and Siriné Doucouré leaving plenty of mystery regarding who will get the nod from Chelle.
Evaluation
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Namibia
Resumé
FIFA Ranking: 115
CAF Ranking: 27
Nickname: The Brave Warriors
Previous Appearances: 3
Best Finish: Group Stage (1998, 2008, 2019)
Manager
Collin Benjamin
The former defender who represented German club Hamburg for ten years, the Windhoek native is the only Namibian to compete in the UEFA Champions League and continues to perform admirably in his role. The 45-year-old gained his early coaching experience in Germany with 1860 Munich and spent several years as an assistant for Namibia before taking on the head coaching duties in 2022. Considering that Namibian domestic football was seriously disrupted for years by a combination of Covid-19 and a long running dispute between rival leagues, qualification for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations is a testament to the impressive work of Benjamin and his team which contains many players still based in Namibian club football. The expectations are low for the Brave Warriors in Ivory Coast but after achieving a victory against Cameroon following a draw away from home at the African powerhouse, underestimating this team is a serious mistake.
2023 AFCON Squad
Key Players
Peter Shalulile
Club: Mamelodi Sundowns (RSA)
Position: Striker
Now in his ninth season in South African club football, the Mamelodi Sundowns striker is the most decorated goal scorer in the country’s modern football history with a record three Lesley Manyathela Golden Boot awards given to the top scorer in South Africa’s top division DStv Premiership. The 30-year-old is a poacher extraordinaire whose pace and persistent runs require the constant attention of opposition defenders. Shalulile scored four of Namibia’s six goals over four qualifying matches and is his country’s all-time leading scorer as well as the captain of the Brave Warriors.
Deon Hotto
Club: Orlando Pirates (RSA)
Position: Winger
Like Shalulile, Hotto is a veteran attacker who has also enjoyed a prolific career in South African club football. Now in his fourth season with Johannesburg giants Orlando Pirates, the 33-year-old has a magical left foot that makes Namibia a threat on set pieces. The Namibian team has plenty of capabilities on the attack and Hotto is the playmaker who can provide the accurate pass or cross to create opportunities.
Riaan Hanamub
Club: AmaZulu (RSA)
Position: Left Back
Namibia has an experienced defense and Hanamub is a reliable left back who adds to a tough defensive unit. Discovered by South African football legend Jomo Sono, Hanamub played at Sono’s club Jomo Cosmos before establishing himself in the South African top division as a consistent player with Chippa United and his current club AmaZulu. Hanamub is joined by fellow Namibian veterans of South African football such as versatile defender Ananias Gebhardt and goalkeeper Lloyd Kazapua Jr. as well as dual national defender Ryan Nyamba of England’s Derby County, giving the Brave Warriors a defense that will be ready for the big occasion in Ivory Coast.
Other Players to Watch
Prins Tijueza- A talented 21-year-old attacking midfielder, Tijueza caught the eye of football observers in Southern Africa by being the top scorer at the 2018 COSAFA U-17 Championship with six goals as Namibia advanced to the semifinals. After drawing interest from clubs like Sporting Kansas City in American top division side Major League Soccer as well as Turkish clubs, Tijueza joined current club Liria Prizren in 2022 and was an important player as the club earned promotion to the top division of Kosovo. Coach Benjamin is making an effort to increase the involvement of Tijueza and he could be a factor in a Namibian attack that is capable of impressing in Ivory Coast.
Aprocious Petrus- Namibia have a glaring weakness in the defensive midfield and Petrus, a natural left back in a squad that has plenty of talent at the position, has been successfully deployed by Benjamin to add quality in the heart of the midfield. The 24-year-old joined Kosovar club Liria Prizren at the same time around the same time as teammate Tijueza and the duo have been an absolute bargain for the club who have profited by earning promotion to the top division.
Ryan Nyambe- A versatile defender who moved to England at a young age graduated from the youth academy of Blackburn Rovers to make over 200 appearances for the Lancashire club. Now at League One side Derby Country in the third tier, Nyambe is likely to play either centrally or at the right back position where he is a strong and athletic presence who focuses more on his defensive duties rather than getting forward when deployed out wide.
Evaluation
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