The Africa Cup of Nations 2023 – Bafana Bafana’s Prospects, African Stars to Watch, Broadcasting & More
Since its propitious launch in 1957, the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) has expanded immensely, showcasing various football cultures from all across the African continent. Following months of great anticipation, marred by various obstacles, the 34th edition of the football spectacle is finally set to kick off on Saturday, January 13 at the Olympic Stadium of Ebimpé in Côte d’Ivoire (Ivory Coast). The continental showpiece which was meant to take place in 2023 was postponed due to adverse summer weather concerns in the host nation. Despite the delay, the tournament has retained its original name, the ‘Total Energies Africa Cup of Nations 2023’ for sponsorship purposes.
With 24 nations set to compete for bragging rights, football enthusiasts are in for a treat as media giant MultiChoice announced that it would be broadcasting all the live action on its sports imprint, SuperSport on DSTV. The broadcaster made a U-turn following social media backlash from its subscribers after announcing failure to secure rights to air the tournament earlier this month. Furthermore, hope was restored for South African football fanatics who do not have access to DSTV when national broadcaster, the SABC announced that it would be showcasing all the action across its channels, both on television and digitally.
Bafana Bafana’s Prospects
Ranked 12th on the continent, Bafana Bafana will be looking to emerge victorious and restore the nation’s hope in local football. Making up for missing the Cameroonian edition of the Africa Cup of Nations in 2022, Bafana Bafana secured their spot in the tournament following a 2-1 victory over Liberia. The side was subsequently placed in Group E of the tournament where they will face Tunisia, Mali, and fellow southern Africans, Namibia.
After winning the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in their debut campaign in 1996 under late legendary coach, Clive Barker, Bafana Bafana’s subsequent nine campaigns have failed to repeat the feat and attain continental glory. With a tendency to exit the tournament in the quarter-finals, Hugo Broos’ side will be all out to break that jinx and meet the huge expectations they carry on their shoulders for not only their country but arguably the ‘best representative’ out of southern Africa.
Since qualifying for AFCON, Bafana Bafana has been plagued by injuries and underwhelming performances in their preliminary World Cup Qualifiers, as well as friendlies against Swaziland and Lesotho. Recently, Coach Hugo Broos shared unwelcome news regarding Mothobi Mvala, Ronwen Williams, and Themba Zwane’s fitness woes ahead of the tournament’s kickoff. This comes after Burnley FC striker Lyle Foster withdrew from the squad due to mental health issues.
However, not all hope is lost considering that the squad comprises some of local football’s most talented athletes such as Percy Tau and Tebogo Mokoena. Moreover, the side will be led by experienced Belgian football manager Hugo Broos who is acclaimed for being the man on the bench when Cameroon claimed their fifth AFCON crown in 2019. With that said, teams squaring up against Bafana Bafana should expect to face a highly tactical side under the expert tutelage of the coach.
Favourites & Dark Horses
In its 37 editions, 15 different nations have lifted the AFCON trophy, affirming its competitive nature as well as the ever-evolving standard of football in the African diaspora. Since its debut, virtually every continental powerhouse has lifted the trophy at least once, including smaller countries such as Zambia who were the victors in 2012.
However, AFCON has favoured big teams in recent years, namely Algeria and Senegal. Despite this indisputable fact, history has shown that anything can happen during the tournament.
Senegal is, of course, are expected to shine considering that they are the defending champions. Moreover, the team has ample experience and is a team that is used to going far in competitions and doing what is necessary to get through the rounds.
Morocco will want to prove that their incredible run during the 2022 FIFA World Cup — in which they finished fourth — was not a lucky one.
Cameroon who were the hosts of the previous edition of the tournament will be looking to make up for not taking advantage of home soil by claiming victory in this campaign.
Egypt can count on a solid group of players from Al Ahly and Zamalek, two of the biggest clubs on the continent, and will try to bring Mohamed Salah his first AFCON.
Algeria, winners of AFCON 2019, will try to make up for their surprise exit in the first round in Cameroon 2021.
Nigeria, who have not won in 11 years, also have a good shot. Led by recently-crowned African Footballer of the Year, Victor Osimhen, the Super Eagles are blessed with a tremendous attack — Boniface, Lookman, Chukweze, and Iheanacho — however, it might not be enough in such a dense tournament.
Côte d’Ivoire will be expected to take full advantage of home soil and stun visitors. There are various disparities between nations on the continent, mainly climate, quality of the infrastructure, and quality of the pitch. Therefore, as much as playing on home soil is no longer a guarantee of success, Ivory Coast will be expected to impress.
The tournament’s dark horses include Ghana, Mali, Guinea, Burkina Faso, Tunisia, and of course host nation Ivory Coast.
African Stars to Watch
Percy Tau
Al Ahly star Percy Tau will lead the South African attack in the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations. The reigning Interclub Player of the Year winner will be key to an underdog Bafana side making a splash and possibly causing a few upsets along the way. Sleek, skillful, and pacy with a touch for unusual goals, Tau is one of the players to watch out for in Cote D’Ivoire.
The former Brighton forward had an outstanding 2023 at club level and will be hoping to make Mzansi proud by performing well at a national level. Among his trophy haul for the past year were the Egyptian Premier League and CAF Champions League. Moreover, Tau and Al Ahly also managed to clinch a bronze medal at the FIFA Club World Cup.
Victor Osimhen
Leading Nigeria’s charges for a first AFCON title since 2013 is current African Footballer of the Year Victor Osimhen. The 24-year-old was key to Napoli’s Serie A triumph last season with 26 goals, and is widely regarded as one of the best strikers in the world. He already has 20 goals in just 27 appearances for his country and looks a shoo-in to eventually eclipse Rashidi Yekini’s record of 37 goals for the Super Eagles.
Mohamed Salah
Liverpool striker Mohamed Salah who came close to AFCON victory in both 2017 and 2022, will be out for revenge when Egypt aims to win a record-extending eighth title and their first since 2010. The forward has twice been on the losing side in finals. Most painfully of all, he had to watch on in the penalty shoot-out defeat to Senegal two years ago when then-Liverpool teammate Sadio Mane converted the winning spot-kick before Salah had the chance to take Egypt’s fifth. Salah will be eager to avoid a repeat, and his current form for Liverpool suggests the 31-year-old is intent on adding to his impressive collection of accolades.
Sadio Mane
Al Nassr FC striker Sadio Mane was named Man of the Competition two years ago having gone from ‘zero to hero’ in the final against Egypt. He saw his first-half penalty saved by Gabaski but made amends by scoring the winning spot-kick in the shoot-out and leading Senegal to their first AFCON triumph. After a short spell at Bayern Munich, the forward joined Saudi club Al-Nassr and has already found the net 12 times.
Riyad Mahrez
Like his fellow English Premier League winner Mane, Riyad Mahrez headed for the Saudi Pro League in the summer. Mahrez captained Algeria when they tasted AFCON glory in 2019. The winger scored once in their flawless group campaign and then again in the round of 16, before his stunning free-kick in the fifth minute of stoppage time sealed victory against Nigeria in the semi-finals.
Mahrez continues to captain Algeria and, after adding a handful of trophies to his collection with Manchester City, is now playing for Al-Ahli alongside the likes of former Liverpool striker Roberto Firmino and Ivorian Franck Kessie.
Achraf Hakimi
Paris Saint Germain (PSG) right-back Achraf Hakimi was key to Morocco becoming the first African nation to reach the semi-finals of the World Cup in Qatar in 2022. It was a monumental feat and Hakimi had his moment in the sun when scoring a Panenka penalty in the round-of-16 shootout win against 2010 champions Spain. Now their task will be translating that success back onto the continental stage with Morocco’s sole AFCON triumph coming in 1976.
With all the participating nations hoping to emerge victorious and lift the trophy, the Africa Cup of Nations is guaranteed to be a phenomenal showpiece. The winners of the spectacular tournament will be crowned on February 13, after the final of what is expected to be an astounding football tournament.