Next up in our series of group previews from the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations is Group D where Algeria stand out as the heavy favorites to win the group. Riyad Mahrez will lead Les Verts against opponents that include a strong Burkina Faso team who have an excellent recent record in the competition, a well coached Mauritania side and Angola who are attempting to earn a result that is on par with the talent in the Palancas Negras squad. Read more on all the teams and players to watch below:
Algeria
Resumé
FIFA Ranking: 30
CAF Ranking: 4
Nickname: Les Verts (The Greens) or Les Fennecs (The Fennec Foxes)
Previous Appearances: 19
Best Finish: Champions (1990, 2019)
Manager
Djamel Belmadi
The fiery and passionate head coach suffered a couple of blows to his reputation after winning the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations with a disastrous group stage exit at the 2021 edition before failing to qualify for the 2022 FIFA World Cup. However the former midfielder and winner of the Algerian Player of the Year’s reputation remained intact with supporters of Algerian football who admire his combative nature as well as his accomplishment in the previous AFCON conquest which defied expectations. An easy qualification group for the upcoming edition allowed Belmadi to experiment with his squad, integrate newly recruited dual national players and build positive momentum for a competition where Algeria is expected to be a serious contender.
2023 AFCON Squad
Key Players
Riyad Mahrez
Club: Al-Ahli (KSA)
Position: Attacking Midfield/Forward
After falling out of favor despite a reasonably productive season at Manchester City towards the end of the 2022-23 season, Mahrez is playing with freedom at Saudi club Al Ahli and the playmaker is in fine form ahead of the competition. The 32-year-old Algerian captain struggled along with the entire team at the 2021 AFCON in Cameroon but there is more than a sense that Mahrez is eager to recapture the form and prestige that saw him lead The Greens to victory at the 2019 edition. With the addition of dual national midfielders such as Farès Chaïbi and Houssem Aouar there will be more space for Mahrez to operate and utilize his incredible left foot to score and create goals.
Ramy Bensebaini
Club: Borussia Dortmund (GER)
Position: Defender
A versatile defender who is equally comfortable operating at left back or in the center, it appears that the Borussia Dortmund player will be used centrally in Ivory Coast. Bensebaini has very good technique and will be useful to Belmadi as a distributor out of the defense while still having the physicality to battle with the physically imposing strikers that are a characteristic of African football. Moving Bensebaini to the center will make way for Wolverhampton Wanderers left back Rayan Aït-Nouri who offers more attacking capabilities out wide.
Farès Chaïbi
Club: Eintracht Frankfurt (GER)
Position: Attacking Midfield/Winger
The 21-year-old born in France became an important recruit for Belmadi after he committed to play for Les Verts and is making an instant impact upon his arrival. A strong 2022-23 season with French club Toulouse led to a big money move to German Bundesliga side Eintracht Frankfurt where he is continuing to display strong form. The 2021 Africa Cup of Nations exposed the lack of a central attacking midfield force but with the arrival of Chaïbi and fellow dual national Houssem Aouar there is no shortage of options for Belmadi this time around.
Other Players to Watch
Nabil Bentaleb- After nearly four years out of the Algeria team the 29-year-old central midfielder is back following some difficulties in his club career. The midfield was exposed in Algeria’s surprise failure at the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations and the return of Bentaleb gives more support for AC Milan midfielder Ismaël Bennacer. Both are deep-lying midfielders who will provide cover for the defensive line and find the attackers with accurate passing.
Rayan Aït-Nouri- The welcome addition of the left back born in France makes the Algerian defense more secure and allows Ramy Bensebaini to move inside to a central position. Now playing at English Premier League club Wolverhampton Wanderers, Aït-Nouri is a balanced fullback who can support the attack with forward runs and defend against quick wide attackers.
Anthony Mandrea- The decline of long-time regular goalkeeper Raïs M’Bolhi led to an extended battle for the gloves between Mandrea and Moustapha Zeghba but it appears that the shot stopper based in France’s Ligue 2 has earned the nod from Belmadi. M’Bolhi is back in the team following a move to Algerian club champions CR Belouizdad but OGC Nice youth product Mandrea cemented his spot following an excellent performance away from home in a 2-0 victory for Les Verts at Mozambique in 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying.
Evaluation
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Mauritania
Resumé
FIFA Ranking: 105
CAF Ranking: 22
Nickname: Les Mourabitounes
Previous Appearances: 2
Best Finish: Group Stage (2019, 2021)
Manager
Amir Abdou
The architect of a dream run to the Round of 16 for Africa Cup of Nations debutants Comoros in the 2021 edition is back with a new nation whose football he knows very well. Abdou balanced his duties with Comoros with his work in club football with top Mauritanian side FC Nouadhibou and his time in the country’s domestic scene made him a perfect candidate to lead Les Mourabitounes after a second consecutive group stage exit. Mauritanian football has come a long way in recent years and now the goal is to reach the knockout stages for the first time in Africa’s biggest national team competition. Considering they have a navigable draw in the group stage, there is a bit more pressure on the team this time but Abdou can get the best out of the group.
2023 AFCON Squad
Key Players
Aboubakar Kamara
Club- Al Jazira (UAE)
Position- Striker
The powerful French-born striker brought plenty of pedigree to the Mauritanian attack after electing to represent the country in 2021 following spells for clubs like Amiens and Fulham FC. In the seven matches in which Kamara has scored, Mauritania has won six times. Hemeja Tanjy is another talented option up top but has yet to prove himself in a tournament of this stature while new dual national recruit Aboubakary Koita could give Kamara some much needed support after a strong first half of the season with Belgian club Sint-Truiden.
Aboubakary Koita
Club: Sint-Truiden (BEL)
Position: Winger/Forward
Born in Senegal and developed in Belgian football after moving to the country as a child, Koita instantly moved into the eleven of Amir Abdou after deciding to represent Mauritania who he qualifies for through his father. The 25-year-old winger prefers to operate on the left flank and gives Mauritania a much needed boost to the attack with his pace and strong shot. Koita is enjoying the best season of his club career, already scoring eleven goals in the Belgium Pro League halfway through the 2023-24 campaign.
Bodda Mouhsine
Club: FC Nouadhibou (MRT)
Position: Central Midfield
The 26-year-old central midfielder is a regular sight for both the Mauritania national team and the country’s top club, FC Nouadhibou. A player that coach Abdou knows well from his time managing Nouadhibou, Mouhsine is quick and skilled at navigating tight spaces with the ball while fulfilling box-to-box duties and should play an important part after a pre-tournament injury suffered by Abdallahi Mahmoud.
Other Players to Watch
Aly Abeid- Signed by Spanish club Levante as a youth, Abeid is a versatile defender who can operate in on the left flank or centrally. The 26-year-old will exceed the sixty appearance mark for Mauritania since making his debut at the age of 18 and will serve as the captain of Les Mourabitounes. Abeid is enjoying regular playing time at Romanian club UTA Arad and brings tenacity to the Mauritanian defense.
Ibrahima Keita- Full back is a strong position for Mauritania and the TP Mazembe defender impressed after gaining exposure in the African Football League as well as the ongoing CAF Champions League group stage this season. Keita appears likely to start at right back while Al-Hilal Omdurman left back Namori Diaw joins veteran Aly Abeid as the primary options on the left side.
Babacar Mbaye- The towering goalkeeper is now the number one for Mauritania and he will need to be at his best against Africa’s top national sides. Born in Senegal, the ASPIRE Academy graduate gained valuable experience in European club football with Portugal’s Tondela before a move to French Ligue 2 side Guingamp. The issue for Mbaye and Mauritania is that the 27-year-old has yet to make his debut with Guingamp but the domestic-based goalkeepers of Mauritania have historically struggled on the big stage giving Mbaye job security.
Evaluation
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Burkina Faso
Resumé
FIFA Ranking: 57
CAF Ranking: 10
Nickname: Les Étalons (The Stallions)
Previous Appearances: 12
Best Finish: Runner-up (2013)
Manager
Hubert Velud
A well-traveled French coach with over thirty years of experience and league titles with Algerian clubs ES Sétif and USM Alger as well as Congolese giants TP Mazembe, Burkina Faso is the third African national team the 64-year-old has managed. Velud has not been modest about his expectations for The Stallions by declaring his ambition to win the competition in Ivory Coast ten years after their best ever finish as runners-up in 2013. With a high level of quality in the goalkeeping, defensive and attacking departments it would not be a surprise to see Burkina Faso reach the semifinals considering their strong AFCON record and a growing reputation for producing players capable of thriving in European club football.
2023 AFCON Squad
Key Players
Bertrand Traoré
Club: Aston Villa (ENG)
Position: Winger/Forward
Ever since a productive first season in the English Premier League with Aston Villa during the 2020-21 season, the last three seasons have been plagued by injuries and a lack of consistent playing time for the magician from Bobo-Dioulasso. However he continues to display moments of brilliance with The Stallions and there is optimism that Traoré will be able to shake off his latest injury to be the primary playmaker in the Burkinabé attack. The 28-year-old captain is the clear leader and icon of the national team and his left foot is always deadly even if he has barely played forty-five minutes of competitive football this season for his club side.
Edmond Tapsoba
Club: Bayer Leverkusen (GER)
Position: Central Defense
A central defender who continues to produce consistently excellent displays for German club Bayer Leverkusen in his fifth season at the club, it is hard to believe that the Salitas youth product is still only twenty-four years old. Tapsoba is always calm and possesses stellar technique for a defender with the physical capabilities to match up with any type of attacker who comes his way. His partnership with experienced defender Issoufou Dayo is perhaps the best in African football and a major reason why Burkinabé supporters believe their team is capable of competing with Africa’s best.
Dango Ouattara
Club: Bournemouth (ENG)
Position: Winger/Forward
The 21-year-old attacker enjoyed a meteoric rise that took him from Ouagadougou club Majestic FC to French Ligue 1 side Lorient and then finally a €22.5 million transfer to current club AFC Bournemouth in the English Premier League, all within a span of three years. Ouattara was Burkina Faso’s secret weapon during their run to the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations semifinals, scoring the match winner in the quarterfinals against Tunisia and providing the presence needed on the left side to prevent opposing defenses from focusing on right winger Traoré.
Other Players to Watch
Hervé Koffi- Developed at Ivorian club ASEC Mimosas, Koffi is an excellent shot stopper who found a home in Belgium at Charleroi after spending several seasons on loan after struggling for time at French club Lille. If opposing attacks are able to find a way through the formidable central defense partnership, the reflexes of Koffi are yet another challenge that will prove to be difficult.
Ibrahim Blati Touré- After joining Spanish club Rayo Vallecano at the age of 19, the determined central midfielder experienced plenty of instability in his club career throughout nine years in Europe but now is a valuable player for Egyptian big spenders Pyramids FC. In a Burkinabé midfield that is the weakest department of the team, Touré is a crucial connection from defense to attack who is strong on his defensive duties but can initiate attacks as well.
Stephane Aziz Ki- It appeared that the Ivorian-born attacker was destined to have a very brief national team career for Burkina Faso after making his debut in 2017. However a failed venture to European club football allowed him to return to Ivory Coast where he revived his career with successful spells at AFAD Djékanou and then top Ivorian club ASEC Mimosas where his performances in the 2021-22 CAF Confederation Cup drew the attention of Tanzanian giants and current club Young Africans. After helping Yanga to the 2022-23 Confederation Cup final, Aziz Ki is back with The Stallions and is an intriguing weapon for coach Velud with his ability to play either an attacking midfield role or as a forward.
Evaluation
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Angola
Resumé
FIFA Ranking: 117
CAF Ranking: 28
Nickname: Palancas Negras (The Black Sable Antelopes)
Previous Appearances: 8
Best Finish: Quarterfinals (2008, 2010)
Manager
Pedro Gonçalves
The 47-year-old Portuguese coach gradually rose up the ranks from scouting to coaching for fifteen years with the youth academy of Lisbon giants Sporting CP. After beginning his spell in Angola with the youth teams of well known club Primeiro de Agosto, Gonçalves made a major breakthrough by winning the 2018 COSAFA U-17 Challenge Cup with Angola and graduated to the senior national team after further spells with the country’s under-20 and under-23 teams. The Palancas Negras have often underachieved since a surprise FIFA World Cup qualification in 2006 was followed by back-to-back quarterfinal finishes at the Africa Cup of Nations in 2008 and 2010 but Gonçalves knows his team very well from his time coaching in the country, making the current Angola team fully capable of reaching the knockout stages of the AFCON for the first time in thirteen years.
2023 AFCON Squad
Key Players
Gelson Dala
Club: Al-Wakrah (QAT)
Position: Winger/Forward
A player that coach Gonçalves knows well from his time in Angolan club football, the former Primeiro de Agosto starlet led Angola to qualification to the 2016 edition of the African Nations Championship (CHAN), a competition that features national teams composed of players based in each nation’s domestic leagues. A move to Lisbon followed and after failing to breakthrough to the senior team of Sporting CP, the 27-year-old spent time at smaller Portuguese club Rio Ave and is now in his third season at Qatar Stars League club Al-Wakra where he has accumulated an impressive 31 goals over two-and-a-half seasons. A fearless attacker with deadly pace and dribbling ability, the final product continues to improve from Dala and he will be the primary threat in a talented and quick Angolan attack.
Kialonda Gaspar
Club: Estrela Amadora (POR)
Position: Central Defense
A commanding central defender, Gaspar rapidly adjusted to the demands of European football after his impressive performances in the CAF Champions League earned him a transfer from Angolan club Sagrada Esperança to Portuguese second tier side Estrela da Amadora in 2022. The 26-year-old quickly earned the captaincy at Estrela and led his club to third place and promotion to the top division Primeira Liga via a promotion playoff. Angola have only allowed 13 goals in 15 matches when Gaspar plays from the start and he is a player who deserves a closer look from scouts.
Fredy
Club: Eyüpspor (TUR)
Position: Midfield
The 33-year-old born Alfredo Kulembe Ribeiro is a regular contributor captain of the Palancas Negras. A native of Luanda who developed in Portuguese football with Belenenses and represented Portuguese youth national teams, Fredy returned to Angola to win two league titles with Recreativo do Libolo in 2015 and 2016 and has spent the last six seasons in Turkey where he currently plays in the country’s second division. A forward or wide attacker for the majority of his career, the veteran now operates comfortably as a central playmaker or deep-lying midfielder who can create opportunities for Angola’s quick attackers and is a capable set piece taker.
Other Players to Watch
Mabululu- A 34-year-old striker who has spent his entire career in African club football, Mabululu is finally getting an extended opportunity to lead the Angolan attack due to limited options. While Angola is loaded with talented and quick wingers he is a pure poacher who is in excellent form for Egyptian club Al-Ittihad in Alexandria. For a team in demand of a reliable goal scorer Mabululu could be an effective short-term solution.
Manuel Keliano- A talented young deep-lying midfielder who like several Angolan squad members made his name at Primeiro de Agosto before joining Kialonda Gaspar at Estrela Amadora for the 2023-24 season. Keliano will operate in support of playmaker Fredy and could also be used with Maccabi Haifa midfielder Show to bring more defending and ball winning ability.
Zito Luvumbo- One of many talented wingers in the Angolan squad, Zito found it difficult at first to settle in European football after a move to Italian club Cagliari at the age of 18 in 2020. However he continues to improve with the club now playing in Serie A and accordingly his role with Angola is increasing as well. Another dynamic dribbler whose end product can be unreliable at times, Zito could be an impactful substitute if he does not get the nod in the eleven.
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