Our preview of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations finishes up with a preview of Group F which is headlined by the nation who made waves with a fourth place finish at the 2022 FIFA World Cup, the Atlas Lions of Morocco. The North African nation are heavy favorites to win the group but have a history of struggling to meet expectations at the AFCON and will face the strong attacks of DR Congo and Zambia as well as a sturdy Tanzania side who are strong in defense. Read all about the important players for each team and our evaluations below:
Morocco
Resumé
FIFA Ranking: 13
CAF Ranking: 1
Nickname: The Atlas Lions
Previous Appearances: 18
Best Finish: Champions (1976)
Manager
Walid Regragui
Since his appointment as head coach of top Moroccan club Wydad AC in August 2021 it has been a spectacular two-and-a-half years for the 48-year-old. Regragui won the 2021-22 CAF Champions League and a league title in Morocco’s top division Botola Pro with Wydad, an accomplishment that led to his assignment with The Atlas Lions and eventually an outstanding run to the semifinals of the 2022 FIFA World Cup. The French-Moroccan tactician represented Morocco at two editions of the Africa Cup of Nations during his playing career and now the next challenge is to guide his country to its first continental title since 1976. Morocco has a history of failing to meet expectations at the AFCON but momentum is certainly on their side even if the pressure will be very high for Regragui and his charges.
2023 AFCON Squad
Key Players
Hakim Ziyech
Club: Galatasaray (TUR)
Position: Attacking Midfield/Winger
There was plenty to prove for the Dutch born playmaker ahead of the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar after a frustrating spell with London club Chelsea FC but Ziyech was excellent and restored his reputation. Now on loan at Turkish club Galatasaray from Chelsea, the 30-year-old’s club career continues to be a bit chaotic with an up-and-down 2023-24 campaign and rumors that his loan may be terminated. However the AFCON will be another opportunity to find potential suitors and his left foot always produces magic with the Atlas Lions.
Achraf Hakimi
Club: Paris-Saint Germain
Position: Full Back
A genuinely two-footed full back who can operate on either flank, the PSG player is certainly among the best wide defenders in the world and he proved hit with emphasis at the 2022 FIFA World Cup. Still only 25-years-old, Hakimi thrived at Borussia Dortmund and Inter Milan and continues to be among the best players for the French champions after finishing his youth career with Real Madrid. The elite attacking presence makes Morocco a perpetual threat on the flanks and his pace allows him to keep up with any opposition attacker when fulfilling his defensive duties.
Sofyan Amrabat
Club: Manchester United (ENG)
Position: Defensive Midfield
While the 2022 FIFA World Cup helped teammate Ziyech escape English football, Amrabat’s excellent performances saw him move the other way on loan to Manchester United from Italian Serie A club Fiorentina. A deep-lying midfielder who focuses on disrupting opposition attacks while moving the ball quickly to the playmakers on his team, Amrabat’s time in England has been up and down this season but he always produces his best work with The Atlas Lions where he thrives at the base of the Moroccan midfield behind two central creative players.
Other Players to Watch
Nayef Aguerd- Injury disrupted his start to life in the English Premier League following a lucrative transfer to West Ham United but the skilled central defender came back strong and is adjusting well in London. Aguerd forms a strong partnership in the heart of the defense with Morocco captain Romain Saïss that combines the captain’s toughness and leadership with Aguerd’s technical ability and anticipation. With Aguerd and Saïss in front of Africa’s best goalkeeper at the moment Yassine Bounou, Morocco appears to have the strongest defense ahead of the AFCON finals in Ivory Coast.
Yassine Bounou- Africa’s current best goalkeeper, Bounou earned his big money move to the Saudi Pro League with league leaders Al-Hilal thanks to strong performances at the 2022 FIFA World Cup. The 32-year-old is worthy of being in the “Key Players” section above but it truly says a lot about the quality in the Morocco side that he is not there. The Moroccan defense is a wall that is sturdy and Bounou plays a significant role with his excellent reflexes and composure.
Youssef En-Nesyri- If there is any sort of weakness in the Morocco team it is at the striker position but the options for The Atlas Lions remain quite strong there. En-Nesyri has top level athleticism and leaping ability to meet crosses and give defenders trouble but the Sevilla FC player is held back by his inconsistent finishing and composure when competing at the highest level.
Evaluation
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DR Congo
Resumé
FIFA Ranking: 67
CAF Ranking: 13
Nickname: Les Léopards (The Leopards)
Previous Appearances: 19
Best Finish: Champions (1968, 1974)
Manager
Sébastien Desabre
The French coach has spent well over ten years in Africa since his first assignment on the continent began in 2010 with Ivorian super club ASEC Mimosas. The 47-year-old has since built up an excellent reputation and did brilliantly to guide Uganda to the country’s first appearance in the Africa Cup of Nations knockout stages in over forty years when they reached the Round of 16 in 2019. Taking over The Leopards in the midst of a disastrous beginning to qualifying for the upcoming competition, the impact of Desabre was instant both on the pitch and off it. The Congolese team is showing signs of performing to its maximum potential and the Frenchman is a coach known for earning the respect of his players, also bringing in talented dual national players to add to the quality of the team.
2023 AFCON Squad
Key Players
Yoane Wissa
Club- Brentford (ENG)
Position- Winger/Forward
A 27-year-old winger and forward born in France, Wissa made his debut for DR Congo in 2020 and a couple of years passed before he became an essential player for The Leopards. During those two years Wissa found success with current club Brentford in the English Premier League where he developed a reputation for his ability to thrive in multiple attacking positions. There is no shortage of talented forwards and attackers on the wing in the Congolese team but Wissa’s quality stands out and he contributes plenty to his team even during the times when he is not scoring or assisting goals.
Chancel Mbemba
Club: Olympique Marseille (FRA)
Position: Defender
The defender from Kinshasa is enjoying the best form of his club career with French Ligue 1 side Olympique Marseille where he won the 2022-23 Prix Marc-Vivien Foé as the best African player in the top division of French football. Mbemba can mark attackers who possess both speed and strong physicality and also enjoys having the ball at his feet when progressing forward and beginning attacks. After some moments of inconsistency during his time at English Premier League club Newcastle United and top Portuguese side FC Porto, Mbemba’s confidence is at its highest and the captain will be the anchor in a Congolese team that is looking to surprise with a deep run.
Charles Pickel
Club: Cremonese (ITA)
Position: Central Midfield
An example of the dual national players coach Desabre continues to recruit for The Leopards, the Swiss born defensive midfielder instantly became a regular in the eleven since his first call in September 2023. A former FC Basel youth player who moved to the second tier of France to gain regular football with Grenoble Foot 38, Pickel joined Italian club Cremonese ahead of the 2022-23 season where he suffered relegation to the second tier Serie B. His high activity in the midfield to win balls and make tackles are characteristics that Desabre clearly enjoys and why Pickel instantly became top choice as one of the two deep-lying midfielders in the system of Desabre.
Other Players to Watch
Cédric Bakambu- The Congolese captain can be quite an enigma when he plays for The Leopards. There are moments when his brilliance is apparent such as at the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations when he scored three goals in four matches and then there are the moments when he loses his composure like when he collected two yellow cards within ten minutes at Mauritania in qualifying for the upcoming edition. At 32-years-old there are signs of decline but Bakambu gives his all when engaged and the big occasion in Ivory Coast will bring out his best effort.
Théo Bongonda- The Belgian-born winger was welcomed with open arms by Congolese supporters after deciding to play for The Leopards in 2022 having previously represented his country of birth at the youth national team level. Now based in Russian club football, Bongonda prefers to operate on the right wing where he can cut inside on his favored left foot. The 28-year-old is equally comfortable scoring or creating for his teammates and adds to a talented group of wingers for DR Congo.
Samuel Moutoussamy- The native of Paris adds plenty of technical ability and two-way contributions to the Congolese midfield since deciding to represent DR Congo in 2019. With the recent addition of defensive midfielder Charles Pickel, the 27-year-old Nantes player can now focus more of his energy on providing the link from midfield to attack which makes The Leopards significantly more dangerous and versatile regarding their style of play.
Evaluation
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Zambia
Resumé
FIFA Ranking: 84
CAF Ranking: 17
Nickname: Chipolopolo (The Copper Bullets)
Previous Appearances: 17
Best Finish: Champions (2012)
Manager
Avram Grant
The Israeli coach best known for his four-year spell as a manager in the English Premier League with Chelsea, Portsmouth and West Ham United between 2007 and 2011 is making his second foray into African football. Three years in charge of Ghana resulted in a runner-up finish at the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations before he left following a fourth place finish at the 2017 edition. The highlight of Grant’s time with Zambia so far was an excellent 3-0 victory over 2023 AFCON hosts Ivory Coast in qualifying but Zambian supporters are expecting big things from Chipolopolo and it remains to be seen how the team will perform when they clash with Africa’s top national teams. The results have been mixed in friendly matches building up to the finals but it appears that Grant is making progress when it comes to finding the best formula to maximize Zambia’s talented attack and a run to the quarterfinals or even beyond is a possibility if Chipolopolo can remain solid on the defensive end.
2023 AFCON Squad
Key Players
Patson Daka
Club: Leicester City (ENG)
Position: Striker
The Chipolopolo attack features a strong group of players who can operate out wide or centrally but the Leicester City striker’s place at the top of the formation is written in permanent ink. Daka finished tied for second place among all scorers in qualifying with five goals from six matches and scored three goals over two matches to begin Zambia’s 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign in November. A clinical finisher who is also in prime form at the moment in the second tier of English football, the 25-year-old former Red Bull Salzburg star is more than ready to challenge for top scorer in Ivory Coast.
Kings Kangwa
Club: Red Star Belgrade (SRB)
Position: Central Midfield
The unfortunate forced retirement of Enock Mwepu due to health issues took away Zambia’s midfield general but the circumstances opened up an opportunity that Kangwa has snatched with both hands. A central midfielder who loves to get forward and attempt defense splitting passes or shots from long distance, Kangwa can also make a difference with his ability to score from set pieces. Playing time has been more difficult to come by at top Serbian club Red Star Belgrade this season but Kangwa and Emmanuel Banda form a strong duo in the center of the Zambian midfield.
Stoppila Sunzu
Club: Jinan Xingzhou (CHN)
Position: Central Defense
It appeared that the defensive hero from Zambia’s magical 2012 Africa Cup of Nations conquest ended his national team career on a bad note following a 5-0 defeat to Algeria in a November 2019 qualifying defeat for the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations. However the Zambian defense continued to leak goals and Grant called the 34-year-old central defender into the fold to bring valued leadership and experience. Sunzu’s first match in his unlikely return was a 3-0 clean sheet against Ivory Coast in qualifying for the upcoming tournament and even though he is playing in the second division of Chinese football, the hope is that he can add a winning mentality.
Other Players to Watch
Lubambo Musonda- The Zambia captain is a player who paid his dues to reach that status, spending nearly ten years in lesser known European football leagues since making his name with Lusaka club Power Dynamos. The 28-year-old is a quick left winger who adds to a strong Zambian attack with his dribbling ability and willingness to create chaos for opposition defenses.
Emmanuel Banda- The 26-year-old is enjoying regular playing time in the top division of Croatia after previously playing for Swedish club Djurgårdens. Similarly to Kings Kangwa, Banda is a player to prefers to attack rather than defend with the pace to slip by defenders but also a bit of creativity that can help unlock defenses with his passing. It will be interesting to see how Grant utilizes Banda and Kangwa and it might be necessary to bring a more defensive minded midfielder like Kelvin Kapumbu into the eleven.
Frankie Musonda- Born in England, the 26-year-old struggled to find club stability after graduating from the youth academy of Luton Town until 2020 when he moved to the second tier of Scottish football where he continues to thrive. His regular contributions in Scotland brought him to the attention of the Zambia national team in 2022 when he made his debut, qualifying due to having a Zambian father. The defense has been inconsistent for Zambia and the hope is that Musonda’s rugged defending will combine well with the leadership and experience of Stoppila Sunzu.
Evaluation
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Defense:
Midfield:
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Tanzania
Resumé
FIFA Ranking: 121
CAF Ranking: 32
Nickname: The Taifa Stars
Previous Appearances: 2
Best Finish: Group Stage (1980, 2019)
Manager
Adel Amrouche
An Algerian coach with experience both in Europe as well as his home country and Africa, Amrouche is managing his third East African national team after previous experiences in charge of Kenya and Burundi. Taking charge of the Taifa Stars midway through the qualification campaign, it was a tight race to reach the finals in Ivory Coast but a scoreless draw at already qualified Algeria was just enough to edge Uganda for second place in one of the weakest qualifying groups. With only three goals from their six qualification matches, the immediate issue that jumps out for Tanzania is finding ways to produce goals but Amrouche has a strong defense to count upon. In the end, however, it is a serious uphill battle that the Taifa Stars and Amrouche face to challenge for qualification to the knockout stages which is something Tanzania have never accomplished.
2023 AFCON Squad
Key Players
Mbwana Samatta
Club: PAOK (GRC)
Position: Striker
The striker and captain continues to fly the flag for Tanzania as the most recognized player from the country and one of its few players based in European club football. The 31-year-old former Simba SC and TP Mazembe star has a combination of quickness and strength that allows him to score in a variety of ways and hold the ball up to help his team keep possession. While there are a couple of younger attacking options in the Tanzania team (such as Kibu Denis), Samatta is on another level compared to his national team peers with he and fellow veteran striker Simon Msuva the only players to score in Tanzania’s last AFCON appearance four years ago.
Charles M’Mombwa
Club: Macarthur FC (AUS)
Position: Central Midfield
Born in DR Congo close to the country’s border with Burundi, M’Mombwa moved to Australia as a child where he developed as a footballer and currently plays in the country’s A-League. Recently recruited to play for the country of his mother, the 25-year-old made an instant impact on his national team debut by scoring the only goal in Tanzania’s 1-0 victory over Niger to begin 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying. M’Mombwa is a diminutive and versatile midfielder with quickness on the dribble and the ability to set up his teammates with accurate passes.
Bakari Mwamnyeto
Club: Young Africans (TZA)
Position: Central Defense
A proven leader in the center of defense who is the captain of reigning Tanzanian club champions Young Africans, Mwamnyeto has emerged as an important player for the Taifa Stars over the past four years. The 28-year-old is not the most imposing figure physically but does well to balance his fierce tackling with moments where he smartly decides to maintain good positioning. Defense is the strength for the Taifa Stars and Mwamnyeto is the most consistent member who has proven himself at a high level after helping Young Africans to the final of the 2022-23 CAF Confederation Cup.
Other Players to Watch
Himid Mao Mkami- An uncompromising defensive midfielder, Mkami will have his hands full in Ivory Coast dealing with attacking movements from Tanzania’s opponents. The 31-year-old has spent the last five years in Egyptian club football where he plays with Tala’ea El Gaish in Cairo. The tough tackling midfielder will be an important leader for the Tanzanian team and is an important contributor to a strong defense that must limit the goals for the Taifa Stars to have any hope of progressing beyond the group stage for the first time in their history at the AFCON.
Kibu Denis- A pacey attacker who plays for Tanzanian giants Simba SC, Kibu is a player who has yet to make a significant impact on the biggest stages of African club football and with his national team. The attack is a notable weakness for Tanzania who struggle to find the goal and the 25-year-old must raise his level to help provide support for talisman Mbwana Samatta.
Novatus Miroshi- A standout on the Tanzania team at the 2021 Africa U-20 Cup of Nations, the 21-year-old began his career as a central midfielder but has become a valuable utility player for the Taifa Stars where he has recently featured as a left back or central defender with advanced technical ability. His performances at the U-20 tournament in 2021 led to a move to European club football where after receiving playing time in the Israeli second tier and then the top division of Belgium, he is struggling for time at top Ukraininan club Shakhtar Donetsk.
Evaluation
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Defense:
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