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CAN: favorites, outsiders, teams to follow … Focus on the 33rd edition! – Soccer

The 33rd edition of the Africa Cup of Nations opens its doors on Sunday (5 p.m.) Yaound, Cameroon. Who are the favorites, the underdogs and the teams to follow for this competition awaited by fans of African football?

Can Algeria achieve the double?

Postponed by a year, the 33rd edition of the Africa Cup of Nations will take place in Cameroon from January 9 to February 6. Despite the pressure from certain European clubs, the most prestigious of African competitions, back in winter due to the 2022 World Cup, has been maintained to the delight of football lovers. Who will succeed Algeria, winner in 2019 in Egypt? Overview of the forces present.

Favorites

Algeria

It is THE absolute favorite of this competition. Holder of the title, Algeria has not been defeated since its coronation in Egypt in 2019. To find the trace of a setback, we must go back to October 16, 2018 against Benin (1-0). A delirious series of 34 games that the Fennecs intend to continue in Cameroon. For this, the Khadra will be able to rely on a very solid group with the usual executives like Riyad Mahrez, Youcef Belaili, Ismal Bennacer and Islam Slimani. Djamel Belmadi has also decided to call up many players who shone in the Arab Cup won by the Maghreb nation in Qatar last month. Talent on all lines, a united and playful selection, despite a target in the back for more than two years, the double African champion will be very difficult to get out. So, Algeria, never two without three?

Sngal

Always placed, never victorious. Of all the teams present at CAN, Senegal has probably the most impressive group: Douard Mendy, Kalidou Koulibaly, Idrissa Gueye, Sadio Man … The Lions of Tranga have the weapons to do great harm. But unlike the strongholds of the continent, a line is still missing from the palm trees of the 2002 World Cup quarter-finalist. A complex which blocks the Aliou Ciss gang, slows down in its conquest of the Grail in the final of the last edition by Algeria (0-1). Will this campaign be the right one? There are many reasons to believe in it. But for that to happen, it will be necessary to assume its status and break a glass ceiling which is beginning to weigh seriously. If this golden generation wants to leave an indelible mark, it is probably now or never.

Cameroon

The word complex, Cameroon does not know. If qualitatively, the Fennecs and the Lions of La Tranga seem superior, the Indomitable Lions have always known how to transcend themselves despite generations that are sometimes less brilliant. The coronation in Gabon in 2017, unexpected, is also the perfect example. The five-time CAN winner will have a lot to prove at home. Under pressure for years after having ceded the 2019 edition in Egypt, the Cameroonians will seek to show that they are ready outside but especially on the ground. In the wake of Andr Onana, Andr-Franck Zambo Anguissa, Karl Toko Ekambi or ric-Maxim Choupo Moting, the selection led by Antonio Conceio will aim for a great first: winning the CAN in Cameroon. And return a length of the Egyptian ogre to the palmars.

Les outsiders

Morocco

The pressure, Vahid Halilhodzic is not afraid. And yet, the Franco-Bosnian coach will have to rise to the occasion with Morocco. Because by defeating Hakim Ziyech, Youns Belhanda or Adel Taarabt, the national selector made very strong choices. Adept at the notion of a group, the former Paris Saint-Germain coach has a firm belief in his players to get a first coronation since 1976. He can count on a steel defense with only one goal conceded in 10 games played. in 2021. Two and a half years after the surprising exit from the road against Benin, in the round of 16, Morocco has a great opportunity to restore its image and shake up the hierarchy. To Achraf Hakimi, Azzedine Ounahi, Sofiane Boufal or Youssef En Nesyri to do the work to get back to the roof of the continent, 46 years later.

egypt

A CAN would not be an CAN without Egypt. So yes, the Mohamed Abou Trika gang, which terrorized the continent with three consecutive coronations between 2006 and 2010, has retired, but the Pharaohs still have arguments to make since they can count on the best current African player, namely Mohamed Salah. The Liverpool winger, who remains on a lost final against Cameroon (1-2) in 2017 and a pitiful round of 16 at home in 2019, dreams of carrying his country on his shoulders. A task that promises to be complicated, however, since apart from Mohamed Elneny and Mahmoud Hassan Trezeguet, Carlos Queiroz’s group seems to be behind the favorites. But with a Salah on fire, the feat is not to drive away the palmars with a possible 8th continental title.

Tunisia

As much to say it right away: playing Tunisia is never a part of pleasure. Nicknamed Africa’s Italy, the Maghreb formation is very often difficult to beat. If at the level of individual quality, it presents a deficit compared to the favorite teams, the collective quality, especially defensive, has never left the Eagles of Carthage. Winners in 2004, the Tunisians reached the quarter-finals five times since 2006 and even failed fourth place in 2019 following an incredible semi-final against Senegal. Led by Wahbi Khazri, who will be keen to forget his difficult situation with the Greens, Tunisia will once again have a say in securing a second title in the event. It should not be underestimated.

Mali

Mali and CAN, it has always been a complicated story. A final in 1972, a third place in 2012 and 2013 but also a fourth place in 2002 and 2004, the results seem rather positive. But there were many disappointments and first round eliminations. Could this 12th participation be the right one? The Eagles would be wrong not to believe it, they who managed to qualify for the play-offs of the next World Cup without conceding a single goal in 6 games during the second round of the playoffs. With a young but above all very playful group, in which there are three high-level midfielders such as Amadou Hadara, Diadi Samasskou or Yves Bissouma, Mohamed Magassouba’s Mali can hurt a lot. In any case, we will have to follow this team very closely …

The teams follow

Ivory Coast

You must always beware of a wounded animal. And the elephant has a few bruises. Perhaps a little too much for the fans. Deprived of the next World Cup, the Ivory Coast has never been as strong as when it is not expected. The winner of the 2015 edition, released by Algeria in 2019, will have heart to comfort himself by going to seek a third coronation from his executioner of the last qualifiers for the 2022 World Cup. Ms. without Seko Fofana, monstrous Lens, Patrice Beaumelle will be able to s ‘lean on a quality group in which we find IbrahimSangar, Franck Kessi, Wilfried Zaha, Nicolas Pp and Sbastien Haller, the current top scorer in the Champions League. A team, which on paper, is enough to scare some selections …

Nigeria

Winner in 1980, 1994 and 2013, finalist in 1984, 1988 and 1990, third in 1976, 1978, 1992, 2002, 2004, 2006, 2010 and 2019, Nigeria is a regular on the CAN podium with a magnificent 14 out of 18. But will the Super Eagles be able to seek their fourth canvas in 2021? It sounds difficult … but not impossible. The most populous country in Africa has all the same put concrete in the wheels by sacking its selector, Gernot Rhor, a few weeks ago, but also by sending the convocations of Odion Ighalo and Emmanuel Dennis too late then. that Victor Osimhen is forfeited. It will be Wilfred Ndidi, Ahmed Musa, Samuel Chukwueze, Moses Simon, Alex Iwobi and Kelechi Iheanacho to ensure without these three big absentees.

Burkina Faso

Burkina Faso has become a country that has relied on the African scene for a decade. Surprising finalists in 2013, third in 2017, the heels were able to straighten the bar after missing the 2019 edition. Close to achieving the feat in the World Cup qualifiers by hanging Algeria twice (1-1, 2-2), the former Haute-Volta could be the hair itchy in Cameroon under the leadership of Kamou Malo. With Edmond Tapsoba, Abdoul Tapsoba, Issa Kabor but also and above all Bertrand Traor, the Burkinabs will be keen to erase the disappointment for a qualification in Qatar. They will also be able to send an entry signal during the opening match scheduled for this Sunday against the host country.

CAN 2021 groups

Group A: Cameroon, Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, Cape Verde
Group B: Sngal, Zimbabwe, Guinea, Malawi
Group C: Morocco, Ghana, Comoros, Gabon
Group D: Nigria, gypte, Sudan, Guinea-Bissau
Group E: Algeria, Sierra Leone, Equatorial Guinea, Ivory Coast
Group F: Tunisia, Mali, Mauritania, Gambia

CAN winners since 1957

The CAN palmars since 2000

+ Find the full CAN palmars on Maxifoot
+ Find the full CAN 2021 calendar on Maxifoot

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