Group B at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations gets underway on Sunday as the action continues in Ivory Coast for the continent’s showcase national team competition. With Mohamed Salah leading group favorites Egypt, Mohammed Kudus looking to establish his star status with Ghana and the experienced teams of Cape Verde and Mozambique eager to represent Africa’s Portuguese-speaking contingent there is plenty to watch for. Read more about each team in Group B below:
Egypt
Resumé
FIFA Ranking: 33
CAF Ranking: 5
Nickname: The Pharaohs
Previous Appearances: 25
Best Finish: Champions (1957, 1959, 1986, 1998, 2006, 2008, 2010)
Manager
Rui Vitória
A winner of eight trophies in Portuguese football, primarily at Lisbon giants Benfica where he won two consecutive Primeira Liga titles, Vitória also had a successful spell in Saudi football where he led Al-Nassr to the 2018-19 Saudi Pro League title. The 53-year-old took over The Pharaohs following a six-month break from managing after an unsuccessful spell with Russia’s Spartak Moscow and steered Egypt out of a period of crisis. Since he took over Egypt has only lost once (a 1-3 friendly defeat to Tunisia in September) and is undefeated in competitive matches under his watch. Based on the positive results and experience in the team, no team will want to face Egypt when elimination is at stake.
2023 AFCON Squad
Key Players
Mohamed Salah
Club: Liverpool (ENG)
Position: Winger/Forward
As long as the icon of Egyptian football is involved his team always has a chance to win the trophy. The Liverpool superstar creates space for his fellow attackers to thrive and he is always capable of making the important individual play to either set up or finish crucial goals. Salah is enjoying yet another productive campaign in the English Premier League and the 31-year-old is still in his prime to help Egypt make another deep run in Africa’s top national team competition.
Mohamed Abdelmonem
Club: Al Ahly (EGY)
Position: Central Defense
In a team that typically relies on veterans, Abdelmonem stepped into the eleven following an injury to Mahmoud “El Wensh” Hamdy and became the breakout star of the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations. Now an important player at current club Al Ahly, the tough 24-year-old central defender has his sights set on a move abroad and another strong Africa Cup of Nations tournament could provide him with a ticket to Europe or the financially lucrative leagues of the Middle East. After two seasons of excellent contributions to his club as well as the Egypt national team, the scorer of the winning goal in the 2022-23 CAF Champions League final is perhaps the best player in African club football at the moment.
Mostafa Mohamed
Club: Nantes (FRA)
Position: Striker
The former Zamalek star and current FC Nantes striker came under a fair amount of criticism before the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations but his toughness and development into a strong target forward is highly valued by coaches. With talented wingers like Salah and Trezeguet providing creativity and skill on the ball, the 26-year-old keeps opposing defenders engaged with his constant runs and ability to thrive in physical duels. However he will need to improve his goal scoring on the big stage after failing to find the net in seven appearances in the 2021 edition.
Other Players to Watch
Mohamed Elneny- Injuries and a lack of regular playing time continue to negatively impact his spell with English Premier League club Arsenal but the veteran central midfielder always gives his all with the Pharaohs. It was a similar situation for Elneny ahead of the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations but his performances continue to be strong for his nation and once again he will add to the organization and composure of the Egyptian team.
Trezeguet- A tricky attacker who continues to play well in Turkish club football, the 29-year-old former Al Ahly youth product is crucial because he gives the Egyptian attack balance by operating on the left wing opposite from Salah. With his strong ability to score goals as well as create with excellent dribbling, Trezeguet will have the opportunities to be a major contributor in Ivory Coast with the space created by Salah and Mostafa Mohamed.
Mohamed El Shenawy- The Al Ahly goalkeeper has put himself close to the elite company of Egyptian goalkeepers in the country’s footballing history and now the only thing missing is an Africa Cup of Nations title. A steady and reliable presence, the veteran performed well in Egypt’s debut appearance at the FIFA World Cup in 2018 and he has plenty of experience in important matches from his time at Africa’s greatest club in the CAF Champions League and especially in the FIFA Club World Cup.
Evaluation
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Cape Verde
Resumé
FIFA Ranking: 73
CAF Ranking: 14
Nickname: Os Tubarões Azuis (The Blue Sharks)
Previous Appearances: 3
Best Finish: Quarterfinals (2013)
Manager
Bubista
The former national team defender has been in charge of The Blue Sharks since 2020 after many years working as an assistant with the national team along with head coaching spells in the domestic football scene of Cape Verde. After a Round of 16 finish in the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations, the expectations will be for Cape Verde to reach the knockout stages again but the challenge for Bubista is to find a way into the quarterfinals this time around. Considering the veterans he continues to rely on, particularly in the attack, this will be the last chance for many well established players before a transition to the next generation is necessary.
2023 AFCON Squad
Key Players
Roberto Lopes
Club- Shamrock Rovers (IRL)
Position- Central Defense
Known popularly as “Pico”, the veteran central defender is a native of Ireland who is tough as nails and is a favorite of Bubista since making his debut for Cape Verde in 2019. Lopes just clinched his fourth consecutive League of Ireland Premier Division title and is an important defensive leader in the Blue Sharks team.
Ryan Mendes
Club: Fatih Karagümrük (TUR)
Position: Winger/Forward
After a successful five-year spell in Emirati club football, the Cape Verde captain is back in Turkey where he is a regular contributor for relegation battlers Fatih Karagumruk. The 33-year-old is one goal away from becoming his country’s all-time leading scorer and will lead an attack that is filled with veterans. In a group that includes strong strikers Julio Tavares and Djaniny, the infamous former Manchester United attacker Bebe and enigmatic wingers Garry Rodrigues and Jovane Cabral, it is difficult to predict who will make the biggest impact but Mendes has the most accomplished record.
Vozinha
Club: AS Trenčín (SVK)
Position: Goalkeeper
At 37 years of age, the goalkeeper is set for what will likely be his last Africa Cup of Nations and continues to maintain a high level. The veteran currently based in Slovakian club football has featured in all except one of Cape Verde’s eleven matches in its history at the AFCON and will need to be at his best for a defense that has struggled at times to keep the goals out against stronger opposition.
Other Players to Watch
Garry Rodrigues- One of the most unpredictable attackers in the competition, Rodrigues offers pace and explosiveness on the wing and scored one of the best goals at the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations as Cape Verde advanced to the knockout stages. Consistency is an issue for the 33-year-old but he could make the difference at crucial times either as a starter or as a substitute.
Jamiro Monteiro- After completing his fifth season in the United States’ Major League Soccer, the creative central midfielder is now a free agent after deciding to leave San Jose Earthquakes. Monteiro is strong on set pieces and has the burst of speed that is necessary to escape defenders on the dribble so he can provide passes that penetrate the opposition defense.
Logan Costa- A tall central defender born in France, the 22-year-old will be missed at French Ligue 1 club Toulouse but continues to become an important presence in the Cape Verdean defense since making his national team debut in 2022. The defense performs notably better with Costa in the eleven and he adds much needed youth to a veteran team eager to impress.
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Ghana
Resumé
FIFA Ranking: 61
CAF Ranking: 11
Nickname: The Black Stars
Previous Appearances: 23
Best Finish: Champions (1963, 1965, 1978, 1982)
Manager
Chris Hughton
The English-born former Irish national team player elected to manage the country of his father for a first foray into national team coaching but the ride has been a bit bumpy. Under Hughton, Ghana qualified for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations with a first place finish in their qualifying group but The Black Stars have failed to generate much momentum. A capable defense was highly exposed in friendly matches against the United States and Mexico with six goals conceded. Even more concerning is the attacking record under Hughton with Ghana averaging less than a goal per match under his watch. The confidence is low among Black Stars supporters but expectations remain high as always leaving Hughton and his squad under plenty of pressure.
2023 AFCON Squad
Key Players
Mohammed Kudus
Club: West Ham United (ENG)
Position: Attacking Midfield
After struggling with injuries during his first couple of seasons with Dutch club Ajax, the past two seasons have seen the 23-year-old Right to Dream Academy graduate transform into a true star who is continuing his strong club form since moving to English Premier League side West Ham United. Ghana depends on Kudus to be the playmaker and generate attacks making him the most reliable member of the Black Stars attack. There is the capability for a deep run with Ghana but it all depends on how Kudus performs and he has the ability to establish himself as one of Africa’s best attackers with a strong tournament.
Iñaki Williams
Club: Athletic Bilbao (ESP)
Position: Forward
Big things were expected when the former Spanish international switched allegiances ahead of the 2022 FIFA World Cup but the Ghanaian attack continues to disappoint and Williams has only one goal in fourteen appearances. The performance of Williams will be an important indicator of how far Ghana can progress in Ivory Coast and the 29-year-old must find a way to transfer his strong club form in Spain’s La Liga to his performances with the Black Stars.
Jordan Ayew
Club: Crystal Palace (ENG)
Position: Forward
Now that older brother André is set for a substitute role in the twilight of his career, the attention now focuses on Jordan who continues to play well for English Premier League club Crystal Palace. However his goal scoring record with the Black Stars is erratic and the 32-year-old has not scored a goal in a competitive match for Ghana since qualifying for the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations when he scored a penalty kick in each match against minnows Sao Tome & Principe. Outside of an excellent assist at the 2022 FIFA World Cup, Ayew’s moments of brilliance have been few and far between for Ghana in recent years and there is a lot to prove for Ghana’s underperforming attacking three that includes Ayew as well as Williams.
Other Players to Watch
Salis Abdul Samed- A fierce defensive midfielder who continues to improve his discipline and decrease the amount of yellow cards he collects, Abdul Samed is poised for a crucial role in the Black Stars midfield due to the injury absence of star Thomas Partey. The 23-year-old who established himself at French club Clermont is continuing to make major strides at Lens and it is now time for him to show his full capabilities and ball winning skills for his country.
Ernest Nuamah- The Right to Dream Academy graduate is a rising star who was Ghana’s key player at the 2023 U-23 Africa Cup of Nations in a wide attacking role. The senior attackers in the Black Stars squad may prevent his selection in the starting eleven but the diminutive 20-year-old could be the wildcard that Ghana needs, particularly as a substitute who can torture tired defenders. Nuamah will compete with Joseph Paintsil and Osman Bukari for minutes out wide and all three players have shown signs they can contribute particularly as substitutes.
Alexander Djiku- The French-born defender was an important part of Ghana’s campaign to qualify for the 2022 FIFA World Cup and his return from a recent injury will be welcome for coach Hughton. Ghana does not lack at the central defender position but Djiku has a level of class and composure that makes the Black Stars defense more reliable when he is partnered with Daniel Amartey.
Evaluation
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Mozambique
Resumé
FIFA Ranking: 111
CAF Ranking: 25
Nickname: Os Mambas (The Mambas)
Previous Appearances: 4
Best Finish: Group Stage (1986, 1996, 1998, 2010)
Manager
Chiquinho Conde
The 58-year-old native of Beira enjoyed a long and accomplished career in Portugal and the United States before spending over ten years coaching in Mozambican domestic football. A dramatic victory over Benin at home on the final day of qualifying qualified the Mambas for their first Africa Cup of Nations finals in twelve years, an accomplishment that left Conde in tears at the conclusion of the match. There is nothing to lose in Ivory Coast but don’t count out this team under Conde who knows the domestic-based players well while introducing some talented dual national players who are capable of making big contributions.
2023 AFCON Squad
Key Players
Geny Catamo
Club: Sporting CP (POR)
Position: Winger/Forward
After a couple of seasons on loan, the 22-year-old attacker is continuing to establish himself at top Portuguese club Sporting Lisbon with his abilities and potential well studied on this website. A graduate of the academy at top Mozambican club Black Bulls, Catamo’s rise from the third division of Portuguese football to one of its top clubs leaves him as the star of the Mambas now and for the future.
Ricardo Guimãraes
Club: Chaves (POR)
Position: Central Midfield
Born in Portugal to a Mozambican mother, the midfielder known as “Guima” committed to the Mambas and made his debut in spectacular fashion by scoring one of the goals in the crucial victory over Benin that sealed qualification. The 28-year-old midfielder is well established with Portuguese club Chaves and has plenty of bite in the tackle as well as the technical skill to contribute when making forward runs. Considering his disciplinary record (twenty-one yellow cards and two red cards in the last eighteen months), Guima will need to keep his aggression from negatively impacting the fortunes of Mozambique in Ivory Coast.
Reinildo Mandava
Club: Atlético Madrid (ESP)
Position: Left Back
The left back is playing at the highest level in club football out of any Mozambican, currently turning out for Spanish La Liga club Atletico Madrid. However the 29-year-old has hardly seen the pitch this season, only making his 2023-24 season debut with a substitute appearance at the end of December after a long period out due to injury. Mandava offers plenty going forward and will join veteran central defender Mexer as the most important members of the Mambas defense.
Other Players to Watch
Mexer- The 35-year-old central defender has over thirteen years of experience in European club football since developing at club Desportivo de Maputo in the capital city of Mozambique. Now playing in the second division of Turkish football, the veteran will act as the leader of the Mambas defense in a formidable central defensive partnership with Kaizer Chiefs player Edmilson Dove.
Domingues- In a footballing world that continues to focus more and more on youth, it is refreshing to see a player like the attacking playmaker. At the age of 40 years, Domingues continues to be an important influence in the Mozambique team and is one of ten domestic-based players in the team after spending over fifteen years in South Africa’s top division Premier Soccer League. The UD Songo player will be an important creative force whose set piece deliveries and eye for goal are attributes that the Mozambique team needs.
Witi- The winger has spent his entire senior career on Madeira, the home island of Cristiano Ronaldo, where the 27-year-old has made over 200 appearances for CD Nacional. Currently on seven goals in the second tier of Portuguese football this season, the player born Witiness Chimoio João Quembo can operate on either flank but will likely line up on the left while Geny Catamo plays on the right. Also, watch out for veteran winger Clésio who has proven himself to be an effective substitute.
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