It all goes down on Sunday. The Africa Cup of Worldwide locations kicks off in Cameroon with the host nation taking on Burkina Faso. Over the next month 24 teams will tear to fight to attract shut who is the most straightforward on the African continent. Fresh champions Algeria will be taking a survey to defend their crown, they in most cases alongside with Senegal are the 2 teams most liked to utilize the title.
Right here are the absolute general issues to know. The match is being hosted in Cameroon. Technically it’s known as AFCON 2021 on fable of it used to be delayed a yr on fable of of COVID. The match is held in January on fable of of climate prerequisites. There are 24 teams in six teams of four teams each. After the neighborhood stage, the head two teams from each neighborhood and the four perfect ranked third-placed teams will come to the round of 16. For more on the avid gamers who may perchance well perhaps shine in Cameroon, accomplish jog that to substantiate out the 15 avid gamers to conception at AFCON. Now, onto the teams.
AFCON 2021 Groups
- Community A: Cameroon (hosts), Burkina Faso, Cape Verde Islands, Ethiopia
- Community B: Guinea, Malawi, Senegal, Zimbabwe
- Community C: Comoros Island, Gabon, Ghana, Morocco
- Community D: Egypt, Guinea Bissau, Nigeria, Sudan
- Community E: Algeria, Equatorial Guinea, Ivory Fly, Sierra Leone
- Community F: Gambia, Mali, Mauritania, Tunisia
So right here is the excellent breakdown, each neighborhood, all 24 teams, the entire stuff you would perchance well perhaps like to know.
Community A
Burkina Faso: The West Africans characteristic of their 12th Africa Cup of Worldwide locations and would admire to accomplish better than their easiest ever runners-up elevate out the put they misplaced against Nigeria within the 2013 finals. Right here’s a crew that goes by way of u.s.and downs, they overlooked the 2019 edition fully after ending in third in 2017. Burkina Faso also held their ranking within the 2022 World Cup qualifying campaign, ending only two components within the motivate of Algeria of their neighborhood. Right here’s a facet poised to concern some more heralded countries, and discover a pair of outcomes to establish a surprise deep speed collectively.
- AFCON appearances: 12
- AFCON titles: 0
- Nickname(s): Les Étalons (The Stallions)
- Key avid gamers: Edmond Tapsoba and Bertrand Traoré
Cameroon: The hosts will be taking a survey to tell out on dwelling soil. The five time champions would admire to add a sixth championship at dwelling. Cameroon work their socks off, they ranking got the skills to ranking more than one goals they in most cases’re going to also be extremely frustrating; gorgeous seek recordsdata from Ivory Fly. They accomplish now no longer seem like going to the World Cup on fable of of Cameroon.
- AFCON appearances: 19
- AFCON titles: 5
- Nicknames: Les Lions Indomptables (The Indomitable Lions)
- Key avid gamers: André Onana, André-Frank Zambo Anguissa, Karl Toko Ekambi and Vincent Aboubakar.
Cape Verde: Another crew that will be unknown to a host of watchers nonetheless a crew that can and ought to surprise many. They proved complex to play against of their World Cup qualifying campaign. Their only loss came against eventual neighborhood winners Nigeria. Cape Verde also took the lead in that match, shedding on fable of of a freak ranking goal. They are a immediate, relentless crew who utilize no prisoners.
- AFCON appearances: 3
- AFCON titles: 0
- Nicknames: Tubarões Azuis (Blue Sharks), Crioulos (Creoles)
- Key avid gamers: Ryan Mendes, Dylan Tavares, Djaniny
Ethiopia: Ethiopia is motivate! Right here’s their first AFCON look since 2013 and while they didn’t particularly accomplish correctly of their 2022 World Cup qualifying neighborhood, they didn’t embarrass themselves either, beating Zimbabwe and drawing against Ghana. All nonetheless two plays in squad play the Ethiopian Premier League, so now no longer noteworthy is anticipated from Ethiopia nonetheless over again right here is AFCON, utilize somebody lightly at your ranking effort.
- AFCON appearances: 11
- AFCON titles: 1
- Nicknames: Walia Ibex
- Key avid gamers: Shimelis Bekele, Amanuel Gebremichael
Community B
Guinea: Guinea boast some proficient younger midfielders in Amadou Diawara and Ilaix Moriba. As well they ranking Naby Keïta who will preserve issues ticking. They face an intriguing time on this neighborhood on fable of they’re proficient of their ranking gorgeous nonetheless face Senegal and Zimbabwe who’re no pushovers.
- AFCON appearances: 13
- AFCON titles: 0
- Nicknames: Syli Nationale (National Elephants)
- Key avid gamers: Naby Keïta, Amadou Diawara and Ilaix Moriba
Malawi: These are the “minnows” of the neighborhood, now no longer too noteworthy will be expected of Malawi on this match nonetheless right here is soccer and every person is a possibility. Their crew is largely dwelling-primarily based entirely entirely avid gamers with just a few playing their commerce outdoor of the country.
- AFCON appearances: 3
- AFCON titles: 0
- Nicknames: The Flames
- Key avid gamers: Charles Petro
Senegal: Senegal has by no way won an African Cup of Worldwide locations match they in most cases’re going to be hoping that this time round issues will be assorted. Senegal are led by former participant Aliou Cissé and ranking a squad oozing fat of skills. Going by way of their squad is a who’s who of skills. They’ve arguably the most straightforward goalkeeper on the earth, certainly one of many most straightforward heart backs on the earth and certainly one of many most straightforward wide avid gamers on the earth. The sky’s the restrict for Senegal, can they at final establish issues collectively?
- AFCON appearances: 16
- AFCON titles: 0
- Nicknames: Les Lions de la Téranga (The Lions of Teranga)
- Key avid gamers: Édouard Mendy, Kalidou Koulibaly, Idrissa Gueye, Ismaila Sarr, Sadio Mane
Zimbabwe: Zimbabwe didn’t accomplish correctly at all of their World Cup qualifying neighborhood, shedding four matches, drawing two. They’ve left some great names out of the squad, leaving Marvelous Nakamba, Marshall Munetsi, Tawanda Maswanhise at dwelling on account of ruin and Khama Billiat retired from world accountability. Then over again, Zimbabwe may perchance well now no longer even play within the match on fable of of interference. The federal government took over their soccer affiliation and FIFA has strict insurance policies against government interference, and even at this leisurely date, Zambia is on standby gorgeous in case FIFA decides to utilize away Zimbabwe from the match.
- AFCON appearances: 5
- AFCON titles: 0
- Nickname: The Warriors
- Key avid gamers: Recordsdata Musona, Tino Kadewere, Jordan Zemura
Community C
Comoros: Now we ranking historical past! Right here’s Comoros first critical match since becoming a member of FIFA they in most cases’re going to be taking a survey to trigger havoc. They are in a complex neighborhood, facing Gabon, Morocco and Ghana nonetheless to be at AFCON is no small feat. Comoros will conception to accomplish themselves proud of their first AFCON match.
- AFCON appearances: Their first look.
- AFCON titles: 0
- Nicknames: Les Coelacantes (The Coelacanths)
- Key avid gamers: Yacine Bourhane, El Fardou Ben Nabouhane
Gabon: Led by their captain and main goal scorer of all time, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Gabon will be taking a survey to ruffle feathers on this neighborhood. They held their ranking of their World Cup qualifying neighborhood ending within the motivate of neighborhood winners Egypt. Right here’s now no longer a straightforward neighborhood to qualify from nonetheless issues ranking came about within the past.
- AFCON appearances: 8.
- AFCON titles: 0
- Nicknames: Les Panthères (The Panthers), Les Brésiliens (The Brazilians)
- Key avid gamers: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Denis Bouanga, Mario Lemina
Ghana: Four time AFCON champion Ghana are taking a survey to add their fifth title nonetheless they accomplish now no longer ranking any safe since 1982. Their easiest elevate out since then used to be runners up in 2010 and 2015, the skills has been there for the length of the years nonetheless the Murky Stars ranking didn’t reach the heights expected of them. They’re going to be hoping that they’ll at final safe it all this time round.
- AFCON appearances: 23
- AFCON titles: 4
- Nicknames: Murky Stars
- Key avid gamers: Gideon Mensah, Thomas Partey,Kamaldeen Suleman, Andre Ayew, Jordan Ayew
Morocco: With the amount skills that this crew possesses, they ranking got each gorgeous to be up there with the favorites to safe this match. They’ve stars in each put the pitch, nonetheless surprisingly ranking only won one AFCON, scheme motivate in 1976. Coach Vahid Halilhodžić runs ship. he’s had success instituting discipline with Japan, Algeria and now with Morocco, having dropped previously dropped significant avid gamers Hakim Ziyech and Noussair Mazraoui at dwelling. A deep speed is anticipated from the Atlas Lions nonetheless they ranking got disappointed in contemporary AFCON tournaments.
- AFCON appearances: 18
- AFCON titles: 1
- Nickname: The Atlas Lions
- Key avid gamers: Romain Saïss, Achraf Hakimi, Imran Louza, Sofyan Amrabat, Sofiane Boufal, Youssef En-Nesyri
GROUP D
Egypt: The kings of the continent, Egypt boasts seven championships and ought to be taking a survey to add their eighth title. Most of their squad play at dwelling, with some avid gamers playing in a foreign country. They are led by certainly one of, if now no longer the most straightforward participant on the earth, Mo Salah. The captain will be main his facet. Led by the experience of Carlos Quieroz, the Pharaohs will be tactically intelligent and willing to pass. The quiz is, can the supporting solid abet Mo Salah?
- AFCON appearances: 25
- AFCON titles: 7
- Nicknames: The Pharaohs
- Key avid gamers: Mo Salah, Trézéguet, Omar Marmoush
Guinea-Bissau: Right here’s their fourth AFCON look they in most cases’re thrown amongst the wolves, with two match favorites in Egypt and Nigeria. They’ve already confronted Sudan in World Cup qualifiers, successful 4-2 and drawing 0-0, they’re going to hope for more success against Sudan sooner than facing the 2 giants.
- AFCON appearances: 3
- AFCON titles: 0
- Nicknames: Djurtus
- Key avid gamers: Piqueti, Frédéric Mendy, Moreto Cassama
Nigeria: Nigeria are in critically of a golden generation, boasting certainly one of many most potent attacking solutions on the earth. Yes, in your entire world. Nigeria’s midfield is skinny and their protection is nothing to brag about. Then over again, goals safe matches. Nigeria fired manager Gernot Rohr sooner than the match, misplaced Victor Osimhen, Emmanuel Dennis, Leon Balogun and can tear away out some assorted avid gamers. Nigeria then over again composed has ample skills to accomplish up for his or her losses. Nigeria are certainly one of many most important favorites, will they discover every other “golden bronze” or at final spoil by way of and safe their fourth AFCON.
- AFCON appearances: 19
- AFCON titles: 3
- Nickname: Neat Eagles
- Key avid gamers: Wilfred Ndidi, Joe Aribo, Kelechi Iheanacho, Samuel Chukwueze, Chidera Ejuke.
Sudan: Not too noteworthy is well-known about Sudan nonetheless fixed with their appearances at the Arab Cup and their World Cup qualifiers showing, this neighborhood may perchance well perhaps crush them. Firing their manager final month and selecting up 3 components of their World Cup qualifying neighborhood, three attracts and three losses, does now no longer bode correctly. They already confronted Guinea-Bissau, shedding and drawing against them. Playing against the 2 giants and a crew they misplaced to lately does now no longer instill noteworthy self belief.
- AFCON appearances: 9
- AFCON titles: 1
- Nickname: Falcons of Jediane
- Key avid gamers: Mohamed Abdelrahman, Yasin Hamed
Community E
Algeria: The fresh champions are favorites to pass motivate to motivate. They are stable in each put the pitch and are coming fresh off successful the FIFA Arab Cup. Algeria are within the meanwhile on a 34 match successful high-tail, and may perchance well perhaps spoil Italy’s narrative of 37 straight world wins by the time it’s all acknowledged and performed. All the pieces is taking a survey colossal for them, skills in each put, avid gamers who know each assorted correctly, these are the match favorites and for beautiful motive.
- AFCON appearances: 19
- AFCON titles: 2
- Nicknames: The Greens, The Fennec Foxes, The Barren situation Warriors
- Key avid gamers: Raïs M’Bolhi, Ramy Bensebaini, Youcef Atal, Ismaël Bennacer, Saïd Benrahma, Riyad Mahrez
Equatorial Guinea: The Central Africans precipitated a droop of their World Cup 2022 qualifying neighborhood, ending two components within the motivate of winners Tunisia. They won three matches, even beating Tunisia and the proficient Zambia facet. They’re going to be hoping their speed of gorgeous kind continues in AFCON 2021.
- AFCON appearances: 3
- AFCON titles: 0
- Nicknames: Nzalang Nacional (National Express)
- Key avid gamers Emilio Nsu, Carlos Akapo, Federico Bikoro
Ivory Fly: The Ivorians come into Cameroon upset. Their final competitive match used to be in Cameroon, shedding to the host nation 1-0 and thus now no longer qualifying for World Cup 2022. They’re going to be shopping for revenge and prefer to expose that they are certainly one of many most straightforward on the continent. Ivory Fly will be doing every thing they’ll to safe the neighborhood on fable of if they accomplish come 2d, a match with assorted match favorites Senegal will even be a possibility.
- AFCON appearances: 24
- AFCON titles: 2
- Nicknames: Les Éléphants (The Elephants)
- Key avid gamers: Eric Bailly, Serge Aurier, Maxwel Cornet, Franck Kessié, Ibrahim Sangaré, Wilfried Zaha, Jérémie Boga, Sébastien Haller
Sierra Leone: Sierra Leone are motivate, right here is their first look since 1996. They withdrew in 1998, had been disqualified on fable of of a civil war in 2000 and in 2019, FIFA suspended them. Sierra Leone will be led by ageless surprise Kei Kamara, who after a lengthy MLS career is composed playing his commerce in Finland at age 37. They’ve recruited correctly, calling up twin nationals collectively with Steven Caulker.
- AFCON appearances: 3
- AFCON titles: 0
- Nickname: Leone Keys
- Key avid gamers: Steven Caulker, Kei Kamara
GROUP F
Gambia: Their first AFCON, ever. Gambia will be taking a survey to accomplish historical past and shake issues up. They are a facet many won’t know noteworthy about nonetheless right here is the beauty of AFCON, these teams safe your coronary heart and establish deep runs. Gambia are a facet to preserve your study about on.
- AFCON appearances: First look
- AFCON titles: 0
- Nickname: The Scorpions
- Key avid gamers: Omar Colley, Ebrima Darboe, Musa Barrow
Mali: Mali are motivate. There used to be a time Mali had been making big noise on the continent, led by avid gamers comparable to Mahamadou Diarra, Seydou Keita, Mohamed Sissoko and Frederic Kanoute. They hosted AFCON in 2002. Right here’s a crew prosperous in historical past despite by no way having qualified for the World Cup. But this yr issues are assorted. They are within the third round of World Cup qualifiers and are led by a prick of proficient younger avid gamers. Their depth in midfield is certainly one of many most straightforward on the continent with avid gamers comparable to Amadou Haidara, Diadie Samasseko, Yves Bissouma and Moussa Djenepo. Whereas you make a selection to ranking a sleeper discover, guess on Mali.
- AFCON appearances: 12
- AFCON titles: 0
- Nickname: Les Aigles (The Eagles)
- Key avid gamers: Molla Wague, Mamadou Fofana, Hamari Traore, Amadou Haidara, Diadie Samasseko, Yves Bissouma, Moussa Djenepo
Mauritania: Mauritania ranking qualified for motivate to motivate AFCON’s for the critical time of their historical past they in most cases’re going to prefer to accomplish better than their neighborhood stage elevate out in 2019 nonetheless right here’s a complex neighborhood for them. They’re going to be shopping for his or her skilled avid gamers to lead the scheme and hope for a shock or two of their matches.
- AFCON appearances: 2
- AFCON titles: 0
- Nickname: Al-Murabitu (Lions of Chinguetti)
- Key avid gamers: Abdallahi Mahmoud, Aboubakar Kamara
Tunisia: Tunisia are on the upward thrust. They arrive into this match with some thrilling avid gamers and ought to be taking a survey to accomplish every other deep speed. Their energy lies of their skilled defenders they in most cases ranking got creative sparks of their midfield. They completed 4th in AFCON 2019, with a crew who is conscious of every assorted correctly and they’re coming off a FIFA Arab Cup loss and ought to be spurred on by that.
- AFCON appearances: 20
- AFCON titles: 1
- Nickname: Aigles de Carthage (Eagles of Carthage)
- Key avid gamers: Dylan Bronn, Ali Maâloul, Ellyes Skhiri, Hannibal Mejbri, Wahbi Khazri, Youssef Msakni
