January 07, (THEWILL) – As the countdown to the kickoff of the 2024 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Ivory Coast approaches, fervent anticipation is sweeping across Nigeria and the football-passionate continent. This prestigious continental tournament holds a special place in African sporting folklore since its inception in 1957.
What began as a modest competition with only three participating countries, Egypt, Sudan and Ethiopia, has blossomed into the flagship football event in Africa featuring 24 national teams vying for supreme glory in this edition.
Over the past six decades, AFCON has showcased legendary talents, with the likes of Rashidi Yekini, Kanu Nwankwo, Abedi Pele, Didier Drogba and Jay-Jay Okocha supplying teaming fans with exciting displays, while creating unforgettable moments like the late Stephen Keshi lifting the trophy as coach in 2013 after previously winning it as a player in 1994 and Benni McCarthy’s fairy tale late winner for South Africa against DR Congo in the semi-finals in 1998.
Beyond just a sporting event, the African Cup of Nations holds deep cultural and socio-political importance as a festival that bolsters national identity and social cohesion. Etched in public memory are heartwarming scenes of victorious Senegal Lions getting a hero’s reception on their return after breaking their decades-long title hoodoo in 2021. The outpouring of national pride and unity bore testament to AFCON’s status as an event that transcends football.
Internationally too, European scouts eagerly tune in to AFCON games to discover raw talents like Nigerian prodigy Victor Osimhen who illuminated the Super Eagles’ campaign in 2019 before subsequently exploding onto the scene and moving from Belgian side Sporting Charleroi to Lille before the sensational scenes that have marked his presence in Napoli. His eye-catching performances at AFCON fast-tracked his journey into one of the hottest striking properties in world football today.
For the 2024 edition, Côte d’Ivoire will play the gracious host to Africa’s footballing elite. The two-time champions, who defeated Ghana twice to lift the trophy in 1992 and 2015, are registered with FIFA under the nickname The Elephants. The Ivorians will bank on a partisan and fervent crowd and stars like Saudi Pro League’s Al-Ahli midfielder Franck Kessié, Nottingham Forest’s defenders Serge Aurier and Willy Boly to mount a strong title bid in their home turf, with strikers Borussia Dortmund’s Sébastien Haller and Brighton and Hove Albion’s Simon Adingra leading the charge. They have invested substantively in upgrading stadium infrastructure and transport connectivity ahead of hosting their second AFCON.
The tournament commencing on January 13 features a group stage of six Groups, with the top two teams advancing to a knockout round leading up to the glittering final on February 11. Matches promise pulsating drama fuelled by high stakes, national pride and skillful play. Based on recent form and squad quality, five-time winners Cameroon, defending champions Senegal, Algeria and AFCON perennials Egypt along with Nigeria’s Super Eagles are strong contenders to lift the trophy, to reach their fourth title.
Cameroon are spearheaded by Besiktas goal runner Vincent Aboubakar while defensively marshalled by Manchester United’s Andre Onana. However, the dip in form for Onana with his highly publicised move to Old Trafford especially after a disastrous group stage display of the Red Devils in the UEFA Champions League leaves much to be desired.
The 2019 AFCON champions Algeria boast a game-winner in Riyad Mahrez flanked by an organised squad, but may perhaps lack of squad depth to pose sustained risks to competing teams in the competition. Yet, against other Group D opponents, Angola, Burkina Faso and Mauritania, their chances of progress beyond the group stage are high.
Mohamed Salah’s Egypt are forever seeking glory with the Liverpool marksman as their definitive trump card. Yet, over-dependence on him has stymied past campaigns. Nantes’ Mostafa Mohamed, Arsenal’s Mohamed Elneny, and Trabzonspor’s Trézéguet all have their work cut out for them in linking up with Salah to boost the chances of Africa’s most successful men’s national team at the continental tournament. Sadio Mane’s Senegal also boasts a star-studded squad on paper with goalkeeper Edouard Mendy, Kalidou Koulibaly, Idrissa Gueye, Cheikhou Kouyaté, Nampalys Mendy, Pape Gueye, Pape Matar Sarr and Chelsea’s Nicolas Jackson all of the highest players. Yet, recent defensive fragility may make their title defense arduous.
Meanwhile, Nigeria’s young brigade is prepared to dazzle with the likes of Victor Osimhen and refreshingly blooming Wilfred Ndidi catching the eye. There are the likes of Ola Aina and Calvin Bassey, who have been impressive for Nottingham Forest and Fulham in defense, and Alhassan Yusuf, who came into the squad to replace the injured Wilfred Ndidi. In the final third, the attacking accompaniment of Osimhen is packed with talents. The inclusions of Moses Simon, Samuel Chukwueze, Ademola Lookman and Umar Sadiq mean Nigeria have what it takes and the ability of the technical crew to make these talents work as a unit is going to be the determining factor.
To raise the stakes, CAF has announced a lucrative 40% increase in prize money for the 2024 tournament. The worthy eventual champions will now pocket a cool $7 million while the losing finalists get $2.75 million. This monetary incentive is bound to trigger even greater intensity on the pitch. As Africa’s football fans count down days filled with buoyant hopes and soaring expectations, AFCON 2024 promises to deliver spectacle and drama in spades.
Right from the group stage, the competition promises some mouthwatering clashes between African heavyweights itching for continental glory. In Group A, for instance, fans are looking forward to the clash between Ivory Coast and Nigeria on Thursday, January 18. This high-octane clash pits the West African arch-rivals against each other and promises fireworks. The Super Eagles will bank on the mercurial talents of Osimhen, Iwobi and Boniface to pierce the Ivorian defense likely marshalled by captain Serge Aurier while Kessie’s powerful midfield presence combined with Jean Thierry’s skills, could pose problems for Nigeria. With regional pride and crucial points at stake, fans can expect a thriller.
In Group B, when Egypt takes on Ghana on Thursday, January 18 fireworks are again expected. It is primed to be a classic clash between two AFCON aristocrats that boast of eight titles between them. This promises to be a tactical chess match rather than a free-flowing goal-fest. While Ghana’s Arsenal man Thomas Partey is absent due to injury problems, the West African side is still loaded with talents enough to face the test against Egypt’s marksman Salah and the slick attack of the north African squad. With the Pharaohs aiming to assert dominance early, the Ghanaians must neutralise Salah’s threat to harbour ambitions of qualifying from this formidable group.
Another interesting group game is the Group C matchup between Senegal and Cameroon on Friday, January 19. Arguably the marquee tie of AFCON 2024 with two tournament favourites poised for an early showdown. The Lions of Teranga led by the mercurial Mane take on the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon and the venerable Aboubakar. This heavyweight bout oozing with skill, power and speed promises to dazzle fans with a taste of quintessential African flair. With shaky rear guards on both sides, fans may be in for a goals galore in this epic clash.
In Group D, Algeria will lock horns with Burkina Faso on Saturday, January 20. The 2019 champions face a tricky early test against Burkina Faso’s tenacious Stallions, potentially tricky opponents boasting the considerable talents of Aston Villa’s Bertrand Traore and Bournemouth’s goal poacher Dango Ouattara. All eyes will be on Al-Ahli’s Algerian wizard Mahrez as he pulls the strings and aims to stake Algeria’s authority early in their attempt to reclaim the summit of African football.
Beyond the pulsating group stage clashes, the knockout rounds promise even more dramatic high-stakes action with clear favourites yet vulnerability to upsets. Moments of individual brilliance, contentious refereeing decisions or strokes of luck could determine eventual passage to the next rounds.
With the tournament now just days away, fervent anticipation continues mounting steadily across Nigeria and the African continent. There was cause for apprehension last week when Africa’s biggest pay-TV broadcaster DStv revealed that they failed to get broadcast rights to show live AFCON matches. Fortunately, StarTimes, a digital terrestrial and satellite TV service provider across 30 African countries, announced that it had acquired the broadcast rights. They will reportedly broadcast all the matches live on their sports channels. This announcement comes as a relief to football fans across Africa who were concerned about not being able to watch the tournament.
The implication is that StarTimes’ coverage is expected to lead to a surge in new subscribers signing up with StarTimes, especially in nations whose teams have qualified for the tournament and who are invested in seeing African football shine on the most elite platform of the sport on the continent.
Some TV rights for AFCON 2023 are also held by a Togo-based broadcaster called New World TV. MultiChoice, the parent company of DStv, also mentioned that certain sub-Saharan Free-to-Air channels may have access to the games, subject to negotiations. Additionally, Qatar’s beIN Sports holds some of the broadcast rights.
The impending football carnival promises all the drama, emotions and richness which make the beautiful game Africa’s beating heart. Beyond the dazzling skills, stunning strikes, tactical battles and improbable upsets on the pitch, it symbolises a unifying social and cultural festival. From Cairo to Cape Town, AFCON intensifies bonds of friendship and continental solidarity among Africans.
As the continent’s billion-strong community tunes in for the football spectacle, the kaleidoscope of alluring sights and sounds will highlight Africa’s vibrant sporting spirit – the infectious joy of celebrating goals and the riot of colour in packed stadiums.
About the Author
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
