The 2023 Africa Cup of Nations kicks off on Saturday as Africa’s biggest national team competition commences in the Ivory Coast. Pan-Africa Football takes a deep look at each group and below we start with Group A featuring the hosts, Equatorial Guinea, Nigeria and Guinea-Bissau. Read more on each team below:
Ivory Coast
Resumé
FIFA Ranking: 49
CAF Ranking: 8
Nickname: Les Éléphants (The Elephants)
Previous Appearances: 24
Best Finish: Champions (1992 & 2015)
Manager
Jean-Louis Gasset
The 70-year-old veteran French coach succeeded countryman Patrice Beaumelle following a disappointing Round of 16 finish for Ivory Coast at the 2021 AFCON and has done well to integrate multiple dual national players along with several rising stars. Gasset spent his entire playing career in his hometown with Montpellier and also began his coaching career at the club of the same name, winning the UEFA Intertoto Cup in 1999 before spending time alternating between head coach and assistant roles with the likes of Paris Saint-Germain, the French national team and Saint-Étienne. With plenty of time and matches to prepare, the biggest issue for Gasset is figuring out the best way to maximize the potential of a group of players with great talent at all positions.
2023 AFCON Squad
Key Players
Franck Kessié
Club: Al-Ahli (KSA)
Position: Central Midfield
The 27-year-old Ivorian talismanic midfielder contributes both in defense and attack but has an excellent eye for goal when he plays for his country where he can display his creativity as well. After thriving in Italian football with Atalanta and AC Milan, Kessié is one of the many African stars who made a big money move to Saudi football with Al Ahli following a season at FC Barcelona with mixed results.
Seko Fofana
Club: Al-Nassr (KSA)
Position: Central Midfield
It was not big news when the Paris-born former French youth national team player made his Ivory Coast debut in 2017 but the 28-year-old is now considered a world class midfielder whose role has steadily grown since becoming a regular in The Elephants setup in 2019. Another powerful central presence who can contribute in both attack and defense, Fofana won the Prix Marc-Vivien Foé award for best African player in France’s Ligue 1 following the 2021-22 campaign and joined Kessié in Saudi football for the current season, teaming up with Cristiano Ronaldo at Al-Nassr following a €25 million transfer.
Evan Ndicka
Club: AS Roma (ITA)
Position: Defense
The 24-year-old Parisien is highly valued by coach Gasset with the AS Roma defender instantly securing a prominent role in the Elephants defense after deciding to represent Ivory Coast. A natural left-footed player who possesses an excellent combination of size, pace, anticipation and adequate technique on the ball, Ndicka is set to be the star of the Ivorian defense with Ousmane Diomandé or perhaps the more experienced and powerful Willy Boly.
Other Players to Watch
Yahia Fofana- Inconsistent goalkeeping has haunted The Elephants in previous tournaments but French-born Fofana is in excellent form for Ligue 2 side Angers, who have the best defense in the division and are currently top of the table.
Serge Aurier- Wilfried Singo continues to make a good argument for playing time in the Ivorian defense but the Nottingham Forest defender is the most experienced player in the squad and also the captain. Aurier, Singo and Ghislain Konan give The Elephants dynamic options at the full back position who are eager to join the attack.
Sébastien Haller- The Dortmund striker has struggled with his form in club football but his poaching abilities give Ivory Coast the experienced and reliable striker they need. Haller is battling injury along with rising star Simon Adingra so there will be opportunities for the likes of Christian Kouamé, Jean-Philippe Krasso, Jeremie Boga, Karim Konaté and Oumar Diakité to make an impression with coach Gasset known for his tinkering with the eleven. However, if Haller is healthy he is likely to get the nod at the top of the formation because of his experience.
Evaluation
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Equatorial Guinea
Resumé
FIFA Ranking: 88
CAF Ranking: 18
Nickname: Nzalang Nacional (National Thunder)
Previous Appearances: 3
Best Finish: Fourth Place (2015)
Manager
Juan Micha
Outside of several caretaker spells for current Nzalang Nacional assistant Casto Nopo, foreign coaches were trusted with the head coaching duties until former national team player Micha graduated from an interim role to become the full-time manager in 2021. The 48-year-old has done exceptionally well, guiding Equatorial Guinea to a surprise quarterfinal appearance in the 2021 AFCON and maintaining his status courtesy of consistently good results since then. An excellent qualifying campaign for the 2023 edition and a strong start in 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying makes the Nzalang a dangerous side in a strong Group A. The defense remains very strong but can Micha’s side find the goals to qualify for the knockout stages?
2023 AFCON Squad
Key Players
Emilio Nsue
Club- CF Intercity (ESP)
Position- Winger/Forward
Born on the Spanish island of Mallorca, Nsue held out on representing Equatorial Guinea in the hopes of representing Spain at the 2012 Olympic Games but committed to the country of his father after failing to make La Roja’s final squad. The Nzalang continue to benefit greatly from his presence and now the 34-year-old is by far the all-time leading scorer for Equatorial Guinea with seventeen goals. A versatile attacker who can also deputize at the right back position, Nsue continues to bring leadership and pedigree to the national team and is also the only consistent goal scorer in this team.
Saúl Coco
Club: UD Las Palmas (ESP)
Position: Central Defense
Like Nsue and many other of his national fellow national team members, Coco was born in Spain and developed in the Spanish football ecosystem before becoming a key member of his current national team. The native of Lanzarote in the Canary Islands played every minute during Equatorial Guinea’s run to the quarterfinals of the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations and forms a strong partnership with Esteban Orozco in the center of the defense.
Jesús Owono
Club: Alavés (ESP)
Position: Goalkeeper
The talented 22-year-old Alavés goalkeeper became the first player born in Equatorial Guinea to appear in Spain’s top division La Liga only a week before joining up with his national team and becoming a hero at the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations. Owono’s shot stopping ability was on full display at the previous AFCON finals in Cameroon where his heroics led the Nzalang to a penalty kick shootout victory over Mali in the Round of 16. He continues to be limited primarily to cup appearances for Alavés but the native of Bata has proven himself as one of Africa’s best young goalkeepers and is a major reason why Equatorial Guinea maintains a strong defensive record.
Other Players to Watch
Carlos Akapo- Now based in Major League Soccer of the United States, the right back is a reliable presence who is capable on the attack and fulfills his defensive responsibilities well. Akapo adds to the experience of the Equatoguinean defense which will be the primary strength of Nzalang Nacional.
Iban Salvador Edú- When playing at his best, the wide attacker currently on loan in Polish club football can be the straw that stirs the attack for Equatorial Guinea. Playing in his third Africa Cup of Nations tournament, Salvador is a spark of energy for his national team which has one of the weaker offenses in the competition.
Pablo Ganet- With the continued absence of star central midfielder Pedro Obiang due to injuries, Ganet established himself as a permanent fixture in the squad at the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations where he scored a crucial goal against Sierra Leone in the group stage. Based in the third tier of Spanish club football with Alcoyano, Ganet sits deep in the heart of the midfield but has a strong shot from distance that could be crucial when he makes runs forward.
Evaluation
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Nigeria
Resumé
FIFA Ranking: 42
CAF Ranking: 6
Nickname: The Super Eagles
Previous Appearances: 19
Best Finish: Champions (1980, 1994, 2013)
Manager
José Peseiro
It has been a turbulent spell to say the least for the Portuguese gaffer since he took over in May 2022. Three consecutive defeats in friendly matches to begin his reign were followed by a shock 1-0 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying home defeat to fellow Group A side Guinea-Bissau in his competitive debut. Despite righting the ship to end qualifying with three straight victories, Peseiro experienced delayed salary payments and rumors of him bolting for Egyptian club Zamalek continue to leave his tenure on shaky ground. After two disappointing draws against Lesotho and Zimbabwe to begin 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying, a Nigeria Football Federation executive confirmed that the only reason Peseiro is still in charge is because the footballing body lacks the money to terminate his contract leaving a thick cloud of uncertainty over The Super Eagles camp. All that being said the 63-year-old has plenty of experience at top Portuguese and European clubs with Nigeria his third national team job after previous tenures with Saudi Arabia and Venezuela.
2023 AFCON Squad
Note: Wilfried Ndidi, Victor Boniface and Umar Sadiq withdrew due to injuries and were replaced by Alhassan Yusuf, Terem Moffi and Paul Onuachu
Key Players
Victor Osimhen
Club: Napoli (ITA)
Position: Striker
Nigeria’s star player and the best pure striker in Africa could not shake off an orbital fracture in time for the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations but the 24-year-old is now in peak form for his first major international tournament as the first choice. Osimhen played 45 minutes at the 2019 edition but it will be interesting to see how the lethal marksman performs under the microscope of expectant Nigerian supporters. An elite poacher who leaves defenders in fear of his devastating quick runs into space, Osimhen and Nigeria’s talented forward corps keeps The Super Eagles in contention despite their recent inconsistent form.
Alex Iwobi
Club: Fulham (ENG)
Position: Midfield
The nephew of Super Eagles legend Jay-Jay Okocha is finding his form at English Premier League side Fulham and will serve as the crucial link between the Nigerian midfield and its talented attack. The 27-year-old began his club career operating on the wing but is now very comfortable in a central role which serves the Nigerian team well considering a notable lack of midfield playmakers in the squad.
Calvin Bassey
Club: Fulham (ENG)
Position: Defense
The Nigerian defense, particularly the goalkeeper position, is under heavy scrutiny and the apparent Achilles’ Heel that leaves many observers unwilling to consider The Super Eagles a serious contender in Ivory Coast. While there are adequate veteran central defenders like Chidozie Awaziem and Kenneth Omeruo in the team, the left-footed Bassey is the player who has the most potential to be a crucial defensive piece. A club teammate of Alex Iwobi at Fulham after a big money move from Dutch giants Ajax, the 23-year-old pairs smooth technique on the ball with an imposing physical profile and can also play out at left back if needed.
Other Players to Watch
The Goalkeeper Position- Goalkeeper is a great concern for Nigerian supporters after notable mistakes by Francis Uzoho played a role in Nigeria surrendering points in recent competitive matches. Uzoho has earned some valuable playing time with Cypriot club Omonia ahead of the competition and his experience at the 2018 FIFA World Cup suggests he will get the nod. South African-based shot stopper Stanley Nwabali got the nod in a pre-tournament friendly defeat to Guinea but Uzoho has the experience having played in the 2018 FIFA World Cup as well as the last Africa Cup of Nations. At this point it is anybody’s guess who will play in Ivory Coast but either way it is a notable weakness that is the greatest threat to Nigeria’s ambitions.
Moses Simon- The captain of the team is a playmaker who operates on the wing and can be an electric and entertaining player on his best days. Look for the Nantes star to start on the left side where he is unpredictable for opposing defenders because of his excellent ability with both feet.
Defensive Midfield- There is competition for the defensive midfield role but Frank Onyeka is the most experienced out of a three-player group that includes Raphael Onyedika and Alhassan Yusuf. Onyeka brings tenacity and if selected by Peseiro will be the screen in front of the Nigerian defensive line charged with distributing the ball to playmakers like Victor Moses and Alex Iwobi. Onyeka’s recent performances have not inspired confidence and Onyedika is just as likely to be selected considering his consistent playing time for Club Brugge in Belgium.
Evaluation
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Guinea-Bissau
Resumé
FIFA Ranking: 103
CAF Ranking: 21
Nickname: Os Djurtus (The Wild Dogs)
Previous Appearances: 3
Best Finish: Group Stage (2017, 2019, 2021)
Manager
Baciro Candé
Similar to his head coach counterpart Juan Micha at Equatorial Guinea, Cande’s reign is another triumph of an a home-based coach finding success since assuming the duties in 2016. Following a playing career in Portugal the 56-year-old spent his early coaching days with numerous trophies in Bissau-Guinean domestic football before a lengthy first spell in charge of the Djurtus during the first decade of the 2000’s. With Guinea-Bissau participating at their fourth consecutive Africa Cup of Nations finals and an influx of dual national players to boost the quality of the squad, the goal for Cande and his charges is to advance to the knockout stages for the first time in the nation’s footballing history.
2023 AFCON Squad
Key Players
Carlos Mané
Club: Kayserispor (TUR)
Position: Winger/Forward
The Guinea-Bissau squad continues to improve with the influx of dual national players and Mané’s arrival comes courtesy of the work of a Coventry City scout who offered his services to the Bissau-Guinean football federation by using the computer game Football Manager. The Lisbon native is an explosive dribbler who can operate in any attacking midfield position and developed at the well known academy of Sporting CP, previously representing Portugal youth national teams. After an ineffective attack doomed the Djurtus’ chances at the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations, the arrival of dual national players like Mane as well as Belgian-born striker Zinho Gano add further strength to a strike force that also includes Mama Baldé and rising star Franculino Djú.
Alfa Semedo
Club: Al-Tai (KSA)
Position: Central Midfield
The Benfica youth product is emerging as a regular contributor for his national team after spending several seasons finding his way in European club football since departing Benfica and enjoys regular playing time at current club Al-Tai in the Saudi Pro League. A physically imposing presence, Semedo will be charged with important ball winning duties in a decent Bissau-Guinean midfield that also features talents like playmaker Moreto Cassama and deep lying presences Sori Mané and Janio Bikel.
Opa Sanganté
Club: Dunkerque (FRA)
Position: Central Defense
The Senegalese-born veteran defender is well established in French club football with a lengthy spell at Chateauroux, mainly in the second tier Ligue 2 where he continues to play with Dunkerque. Sangante has earned the trust of coach Cande, featuring in every competitive match for the Djurtus over the course of qualifying campaigns for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations and 2022 FIFA World Cup since playing every minute at the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations finals.
Other Players to Watch
Mama Baldé- After a good 2022-23 season on loan at Troyes despite the club’s relegation from France’s Ligue 1, Baldé is struggling to make an impact with Olympique Lyon but the forward can operate in the center or on either wing for Os Djurtus. As opposed to the past participations of Guinea-Bissau in the Africa Cup of Nations, there are good options for coach Candé and the pressure will be on Baldé to find the net after failing to score over six appearances in the last two editions.
Fali Candé- An experienced left defender at this point when he plays for Guinea-Bissau, the 25-year-old adds defensive stability. Candé tends to play in a more central role for his club Metz but can also get forward and provide crosses on occasion.
Jonas Mendes- The captain and goalkeeper has seen it all and looks set to be the vocal leader of the Djurtus defense in his fourth Africa Cup of Nations. There is more competition for his spot in the eleven these days but the 34-year-old has valuable experience and will be eager to show his quality once again considering his advanced age.
Evaluation
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