The 34th Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) is set to begin on January 13 in Ivory Coast where Senegal will look to defend the prestigious title after winning it by beating Cameroon in 2022.
The African Cup was shifted from 2023 to 2024 due to the unstoppable rainy season in West Africa.
All 24 teams announced their squads and will compete across 52 matches throughout the tournament which will be held across five cities: Abidjan, Yamoussoukro, Bouaké, San-Pedro and Korhogo.
Predictions:
As per Opta, defending champions Senegal remained favourites for the elusive title with a 12.8% chance of winning the trophy again.
Ivory Coast came at the second position with 12.1% chance of winning their first AFCON title since 2015 and third overall in their history.
Morocco came third with 11.1% chances, which was no surprise to anyone as they surprised the world at the FIFA World Cup 2022 by becoming the first African team to play the mega event’s semi-final.
Algeria were fourth favourites with a 9.7% chance of glory, while Egypt (8.5%), Nigeria (8.1%), Cameroon (7.4%), Tunisia (6.3%) and Ghana (5.3%) were the other teams with hopes rated above 5%.
AFCON Squads
Angola
Goalkeepers: Antonio Dominique, Kadu, Neblu
Defenders: Eddie Afonso, To Carneiro, Kinito, Loide Augusto, Jonathan Buatu, Nurio Fortuna, Kialonda Gaspar
Midfielders: Beni, Estrela, Fredy, Keliano Manuel, Bruno Paz, Show
Forwards: Jeremie Bela, Gelson Dala, Zito Luvumbo, Mabululu, Felicio Milson, Zine, M'bala Nzola
Burkina Faso
Goalkeepers: Herve Koffi, Hillel Konate, Kilian Nikiema, Sebastien Tou
Defenders: Issa Kabore, Steeve Yago, Issoufou Dayo, Nasser Djiga, Edmond Tapsoba, Adamo Nagalo, Abdoul Guiebre, Valentin Nouma
Midfielders: Blati Toure, Adama Guira, Dramane Salou, Ismahila Ouedraogo, Sacha Banse, Gustavo Sangare, Stephane Aziz Ki
Forwards: Bertrand Traore, Dango Ouattara, Mamady Alex Bangre, Djibril Ouattara, Hassane Bande, Mohamed Konate, Abdoul Tapsoba, Cedric Badolo
Cameroon
Goalkeepers: Andre Onana, Fabrice Ondoa, Devis Epassy, Simon Ngapandouetnbu
Defenders: Christopher Wooh, Junior Tchamadeu, Nouhou Tolo, Darlin Yongwa, Oumar Gonzalez, Harold Moukoudi, Jean Charles Castelletto, Malcom Bokele, Enzo Tchato
Midfielders: Olivier Ntcham, Yvan Neyou, Doualla Wilfried Nathan, Ben Njongoue Elliott, Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa, Olivier Kemen, Leonel Ateba
Forwards: Vincent Aboubakar, Francois Regis Mughe, Georges-Kevin Nkoudou, Clinton Njie, Karl Toko Ekambi, Faris Moumbagna, Frank Magri
Cape Verde
Goalkeepers: Vozinha, Marcio Rosa, Dylan Silva
Defenders: Stopira, Roberto 'Pico' Lopes, Diney, Dylan Tavares, Logan Costa, Joao Correia, Steven Moreira
Midfielders: Jamiro Monteiro, Kenny Rocha, Patrick Andrade, Joao Paulo Fernandes, Deroy Duarte, Cuca, Kevin Pina, Laros Duarte
Forwards: Ryan Mendes, Garry Rodrigues, Djaniny, Willy Semedo, Bebe, Jovane Cabral, Helio Varela, Bryan Teixeira
DR Congo
Goalkeepers: Dimitry Bertaud, Lionel Mpasi, Baggio Siadi
Defenders: Dylan Batubinsika, Brian Bayeye, Rocky Bushiri, Henock Inonga, Gedeon Kalulu, Joris Kayembe, Arthur Masuaku, Chancel Mbemba
Midfielders: Theo Bongonda, Grady Diangana, Gael Kakuta, Edo Kayembe, Samuel Moutoussamy, Charles Pickel, Aaron Tshibola
Forwards: Simon Banza, Cedric Bakambu, Meschack Elia, Silas, Fiston Mayele, Yoane Wissa
Egypt
Goalkeepers: Mohamed El Shenawy, Ahmed El Shenawy, Gabaski, Mohamed Sobhi
Defenders: Ahmed Hegazy, Mohamed Abdelmonem, Mohamed Hany, Ali Gabr, Osama Galal, Ahmed Samy, Mohamed Hamdy, Omar Kamal, Ahmed Fatouh
Midfielders: Hamdi Fathi, Mohamed Elneny, Marwan Attia, Emam Ashour, Ahmed Nabil Koka, Zizo, Mahmoud Hamada
Forwards: Mohamed Salah, Mostafa Fathi, Trezeguet, Omar Marmoush, Mostafa Mohamed, Kahraba, Ahmed Hassan
Equatorial Guinea
Goalkeepers: Jesus Owono, Manuel Sapunga, Aitor Embela
Defenders: Basilio Ndong, Carlos Akapo, Hugo Buyla, Charles Ondo, Saul Coco, Marvin Anieboh, Nestor Senra, Jose Elo, Esteban Orozco
Midfielders: Yannick Buyla, Luis Nlavo, Alex Balboa, Federico Bikoro, Iban Salvador, Jose Machin, Santiago Eneme, Josete Miranda, Pablo Ganet, Federico Nguema
Forwards: Noe Ela, Jose Nabil, Emilio Nsue, Salomon Obama, Oscar Siafa
Ghana
Goalkeepers: Lawrence Ati-Zigi, Richard Ofori, Joe Wollacott
Defenders: Daniel Amartey, Alexander Djiku, Abdul Fatawu Hamidu, Gideon Mensah, Denis Odoi, Nicholas Opoku, Mohammed Salisu, Kingsley Schindler, Alidu Seidu
Midfielders: Majeed Ashimeru, Osman Bukari, Baba Iddrisu, Mubarak Wakaso, Thomas Partey, Emmanuel Sowah, Kamal Sowah, Mohammed Kudus
Forwards: Jordan Ayew, Caleb Ekuban, Andre Ayew, Kwame Poku, Kelvin Yeboah, Richmond Boakye-Yiadom, Benjamin Tetteh
Guinea
Goalkeepers: Moussa Camara, Aly Keita, Sekouba Camara
Defenders: Simon Falette, Fode Camara, Julian Jeanvier, Issiaga Sylla, Ousmane Kante, Mohamed Lamine Kaba, Ibrahima Sory Conte
Midfielders: Mady Camara, Ibrahima Sory Doumbouya, Kamso Mara, Morlaye Sylla, Amadou Diawara, Abdoulaye Paye Camara
Forwards: Jose Kante, Demba Camara, Naby Keita, Mohamed Bayo, Mohamed Yattara, Alhassane Sylla, Fodé Koita
Ivory Coast
Goalkeepers: Sylvain Gbohouo, Eliezer Ira Tape, Ali Badra Sangare, Djigui Diarra
Defenders: Serge Aurier, Wilfried Kanon, Eric Bailly, Mamadou Bagayoko, Ismael Diallo, Souleyman Doumbia, Odilon Kossounou, Kouadio-Yves Dabila, Nicolas Tie
Midfielders: Jean-Daniel Akpa Akpro, Ibrahim Sangare, Franck Kessie, Jean-Michaël Seri, Habib Maiga, Eboue Kouassi
Forwards: Max-Alain Gradel, Nicolas Pepe, Wilfried Zaha, Christian Kouame, Sebastien Haller, Youssouf Dao, Lago Junior
Mali
Goalkeepers: Djigui Diarra, Ibrahim Mounkoro, Mamadou Samassa
Defenders: Falaye Sacko, Fode Konate, Charles Traore, Molla Wague, Hamari Traore, Issiaga Sylla, Ousseynou Cisse, Siaka Bagayoko, Cheick Fantamady Diarra
Midfielders: Lassana Coulibaly, Yves Bissouma, Cheick Doucoure, Amadou Haidara, Ibrahima Sangare, Mamadou Samake
Forwards: Moussa Doumbia, Moussa Djenepo, El Bilal Toure, Adama Traore, Sekou Koita, Kalifa Coulibaly, Fousseiny Tangara
Morocco
Goalkeepers: Yassine Bounou, Munir Mohand Mohamedi, Yassine El Kharroubi
Defenders: Achraf Hakimi, Nayef Aguerd, Hamza Mendyl, Jawad El Yamiq, Abdelhamid Sabiri, Zouhair Feddal, Issam Chebake, Soufiane Chakla
Midfielders: Hakim Ziyech, Nordin Amrabat, Sofiane Boufal, Karim El Ahmadi, Youssef En-Nesyri, Sofyan Amrabat, Anass Bach, Oussama Tannane, Drissi El Haddad, Zakaria Aboukhlal
Forwards: Achraf Dari, Youssef El Arabi, Youssef En-Nesyri, Soufiane Rahimi, Khalid Boutaib, Mehdi Bourabia
Nigeria
Goalkeepers: Francis Uzoho, Maduka Okoye, Tobias Lawal, John Noble
Defenders: Chidozie Awaziem, Ola Aina, Jamilu Collins, Kenneth Omeruo, Leon Balogun, William Troost-Ekong, Valentine Ozornwafor, Kevin Akpoguma, Kingsley Michael, Zaidu Sanusi
Midfielders: Wilfred Ndidi, Oghenekaro Etebo, Joe Aribo, Alex Iwobi, Kelechi Nwakali, Innocent Bonke, Abraham Marcus
Forwards: Ahmed Musa, Victor Osimhen, Samuel Chukwueze, Emmanuel Dennis, Henry Onyekuru, Moses Simon, Sadiq Umar, Paul Onuachu
Senegal
Goalkeepers: Edouard Mendy, Alfred Gomis, Pape Ndiaye
Defenders: Kalidou Koulibaly, Saliou Ciss, Zargo Toure, Racine Coly, Youssouf Sabaly, Moussa Wague, Abdou Diallo, Pape Abdou Cisse, Waly Diouf
Midfielders: Idrissa Gueye, Cheikhou Kouyate, Pape Matar Sarr, Alfred Ndiaye, Ibrahima Mbaye, Salif Sane, Sidy Sarr, Cheikh N'Doye
Forwards: Sadio Mane, Ismaila Sarr, Keita Balde, Boulaye Dia, Famara Diedhiou, Mbaye Diagne, Habib Diallo
South Africa
Goalkeepers: Ronwen Williams, Veli Mothwa, Ricardo Goss
Defenders: Thibang Phete, Thulani Hlatshwayo, Thendo Mukumela, Reeve Frosler, Rushine de Reuck, Sibusiso Mabiliso, Innocent Maela, Nyiko Mobbie
Midfielders: Teboho Mokoena, Mothobi Mvala, Ethan Brooks, Sipho Mbule, Kgaogelo Sekgota, Njabulo Blom, Sipho Mbule, Keagan Dolly, Goodman Mosele
Forwards: Percy Tau, Bongokuhle Hlongwane, Evidence Makgopa, Vincent Pule, Luther Singh, Thabiso Kutumela, Lyle Foster
Tunisia
Goalkeepers: Farouk Ben Mustapha, Mouez Hassen, Atef Dkhili
Defenders: Dylan Bronn, Yassine Meriah, Wajdi Kechrida, Montassar Talbi, Nassim Hnid, Ali Maaloul, Mohamed Drager, Ayman Ben Mohamed, Rami Bedoui
Midfielders: Ellyes Skhiri, Ferjani Sassi, Seifeddine Jaziri, Aymen Mohamed, Anis Ben Slimane, Mohamed Larbi, Saif-Eddine Khaoui, Bassem Srarfi
Forwards: Wahbi Khazri, Naim Sliti, Seif Tka, Firas Chaouat, Saifeddine Alami, Yassine Khenissi, Hamza Rafia, Anis El Badri
Tournament's schedule:
Saturday, January 13
Ivory Coast vs Guinea Bissau
Sunday, January 14
Nigeria vs Equatorial Guinea
Egypt vs Mozambique
Ghana vs Cape Verde
Monday, January 15
Senegal vs Gambia
Cameroon vs Guinea
Algeria vs Angola
Tuesday, January 16
Burkina Faso vs Mauritania
Tunisia vs Namibia
Mali vs South Africa
Wednesday, January 17
Morocco vs Tanzania
DR Congo vs Zambia
Thursday, January 18
Equatorial Guinea vs Guinea-Bissau
Ivory Coast vs Nigeria
Egypt vs Ghana
Friday, January 19
Cape Verde vs Mozambique
Senegal vs Cameroon
Guinea vs Gambia
Saturday, January 20
Algeria vs Burkina Faso
Mauritania vs Angola
Tunisia vs Mali
Sunday, January 21
Morocco vs DR Congo
Zambia vs Tanzania
South Africa vs Namibia
Monday, January 22
Equatorial Guinea vs Ivory Coast
Guinea-Bissau vs Nigeria
Cape Verde vs Egypt
Mozambique vs Ghana
Tuesday, January 23
Gambia vs Cameroon
Guinea vs Senegal
Angola vs Burkina Faso
Mauritania vs Algeria
Wednesday, January 24
Namibia vs Mali
South Africa vs Tunisia
Tanzania vs DR Congo
Zambia vs Morocco
Saturday, January 27
Group D Winner vs 3rd Place Group B/E/F (R1)
Group A Second Place vs Group C Second Place (R2)
Sunday, January 28
Group A Winner vs 3rd Place Group C/D/E (R3)
Group B Second Place vs Group F Second Place (R4)
Monday, January 29
Group B Winner vs 3rd Place Group A/C/D (R5)
Group C Winner vs Group 3rd Place A/B/F (R6)
Tuesday, January 30
Group E Winner vs Group D Second Place (R7)
Group F Winner vs Group E Second Place (R8)
Quarter-Finals: Feb. 2-3, 2024
Friday, February 2
Winner R2 vs Winner R1 (QF1
Winner R4 vs Winner R3 (QF2)
Saturday, February 3
Winner R7 vs Winner R6 (QF3)
Winner R5 vs Winner R8 (QF4)
Wednesday, February 7
Winner QF1 vs Winner QF4 (SF1)
Winner QF 3 vs Winner QF2 (SF2)
Saturday, February 10
Loser SF1 vs Loser SF2 [Third place]
Sunday, February 11
Winner SF1 vs Winner SF2