AFCON 2023: Profile of all 24 participating teams
The 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) is just two days away from commencing in Ivory Coast. This year’s edition will be the 34th since the inception of the continent’s flagship tournament in 1957.
The tournament in Ivory Coast will also be the third with 24 teams following the expansion in the 2019 edition.
Senegal are the defending champions having beaten Egypt on penalties to clinch the trophy for the very first time in Cameroon.
Here is a brief profile of all participating teams in the 2023 AFCON:
Algeria
Appearances: 20Best result: Winners (1990, 2019)Coach: Djamel Belmadi (Algeria)Player to watch: Riyad Mahrez
Drawn in Group A with Equatorial Guinea, Guinea Bissau and Nigeria.
Squad:
Goalkeepers: Yahia Fofana (Angers), Charles Folly (ASEC Abidjan), Badra Ali Sangare (Sekhukhune United)
Defenders: Serge Aurier (Nottingham Forest), Willy Boly (Nottingham Forest), Chester Diallo (Hajduk Split), Ousmane Diomande (Sporting Lisbon), Ghislain Konan (Al Feyha), Odilon Kossonou (Bayer Leverkusen), Evan Ndicka (AS Roma), Wilfried Singo (AS Monaco)
Midfielders: Lazare Amani (Union Saint Gilloise), Idrissa Doumbia (Al Ahli), Seko Fofana (Al Nassr), Max-Alain Gradel (Gaziantep), Franck Kessie (Al Ahli), Ibrahim Sangare (Nottingham Forest), Jean Michael Seri (Hull City)
Forwards: Simon Adingra (Brighton & Hove Albion), Jonathan Bamba (Celta Vigo), Jeremie Boga (Nice), Oumar Diakite (Stade Reims), Sebastien Haller (Borussia Dortmund), Karim Konate (Salzburg), Christian Kouame (Fiorentina), Jean-Philippe Krasso (Red Star Belgrade), Nicolas Pepe (Trapzonspor)
Angola
Appearances: 8Best result: Quarterfinals (2008, 2010)Coach: Pedro Goncalves (Portugal)Player to watch: Show
Drawn in Group D with Algeria, Burkina Faso and Mauritania.
Squad:
Goalkeepers: Antonio Dominique (Etoile Carouge), Kadu (Oliveira Hospital), Neblu (Premiero Agosto)
Defenders: Eddie Afonso (Petro Atletico), Loide Augusto (Alanyaspor), Jonathan Buatu (Valenciennes), Tó Carneiro (Petro Atletico), Núrio Fortuna, (Gent), Kialonda Gaspar (Estrela Amadora), Kinito (Petro Atletico)
Midfielders: Beni (Casa Pia), Estrela (Erzurumspor), Fredy (Eyupspor), Keliano Manuel (Estrela Amadora), Bruno Paz (Konyaspor), Show (Maccabi Haifa)
Forwards: Jeremie Bela (Clermont, Foot), Gelson Dala (Al Wakrah), Gilberto (Petro Atletico), Zito Luvumbo (Cagliari), Mabululu (Al Ittihad), Milson (Maccabi Tel Aviv), Zine (AEK Athens).
Burkina Faso
Appearances: 13Best result: Runners-up (2013)Coach: Hubert Velud (France)Player to watch: Edmond Tapsoba
Drawn in Group D with Algeria, Angola and Mauritania.
Squad:
Goalkeepers: Herve Koffi (Charleroi), Hilel Konate (Chateauroux), Kilian Nikiema (ADO Den Haag), Sebastien Tou (Sabadell)
Defenders: Issoufou Dayo (Renaissance Berkane), Nasser Djiga (Red Star Belgrade), Abdoul Razack Guiebre (Modena), Issa Kabore (Luton Town), Adamo Nagalo (Nordsjaelland), Valentin Nouma (FC St Eloi Lupopo), Edmond Tapsoba (Bayer Leverkusen), Steeve Yago (Aris Limassol)
Midfielders: Sacha Banse (Valenciennes), Adama Guira (Racing Rioja), Stephane Aziz Ky (Young Africans), Ismahila Ouedraogo (Panserraikos), Dramane Salou (Urartu), Gustavo Sangare (Quevilly-Rouen Metropole), Blati Toure (Pyramids)
Forwards: Cedric Badolo (Sheriff Tiraspol), Hassan Bande (HJK Helsinki), Mamady Bangre (Toulouse), Mohamed Konate (Akhmat Grozny), Djibril Ouattara (Renaissance Berkane), Dango Ouattara (Bournemouth), Abdoul Tapsoba (Amiens), Bertrand Traore (Aston Villa).
Cameroon
Appearances: 20Best result: Winners (1984, 1988, 2000, 2002, 2017)Coach: Rigobert Song (Cameroon)Player to watch: Vincent Aboubakar
Drawn in Group C with Gambia, Guinea and Senegal.
Squad
Goalkeepers: Devis Epassy (Abha Club), Simon Ngapandouetnbu (Olympique de Marseille), Andre Onana (Manchester United), Fabrice Ondoa (Nimes)
Defenders: Malcom Bokele (Girondins Bordeaux), Jean-Charles Castelletto (Nantes), Oumar Gonzalez (Al Raed), Harold Moukoudi (AEK Athens), Tolo Nouhou (Seattle Sounders), Junior Tchamadeu (Stoke City), Enzo Tchato (Montpellier), Christopher Wooh (Stade Rennais), Darling Yongwa (Lorient)
Midfielders: Wilfried Nathan Doualla (Victoria United), Ben Elliott (Reading), Olivier Kemen (Kayserispor), Yvan Neyou (Leganes), Nicolas Moumi Ngamaleu (Dynamo Moscow), Olivier Ntcham (Samsunspor), Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa (Napoli)
Forwards: Vincent Aboubakar (Besiktas), Leonel Ateba (Dynamo Douala), Frank Magri (Toulouse), Faris Pemi Moumbagna (Bodo/Glimt), Clinton Njie (Sivasspor), Georges-Kevin Nkoudou (Damac), Karl Toko Ekambi (Abha Club)
Cape Verde
Appearances: 4Best result: Quarterfinals (2013)Coach: Bubista (Cape Verde)Player to watch: Ryan Mendes
Drawn in Group B with Egypt, Ghana and Mozambique.
Squad
Goalkeepers: Marcio Rosa (Anadia), Dylan Silva (Sintrense), Vozinha (Trencin)
Defenders: Joao Correia (Chaves), Logan Costa (Toulouse), Diney (Al Bataeh), Roberto Lopes (Shamrock Rovers), Steven Moreira (Columbus Crew), Stopira (Boavista da Praia), Dylan Tavares (Bastia)
Midfielders: Patrick Andrade (Qarabag), Cuca (Uniao Leiria), Deroy Duarte (Fortuna Sittard), Laros Duarte (FC Groningen), Joao Paulo (Sheriff Tiraspol), Kevin Pina (FK Krasnodar), Jamiro Monteiro (San Jose Earthquakes), Kenny Rocha (AEZ Zakakiou)
Forwards: Bebe (Rayo Vallecano), Djaniny (Al Fateh), Ryan Mendes (Karagumruk), Garry Rodrigues (Ankaragucu), Jovane (Salernitana), Willy Semedo (Omonia Nicosia), Bryan Teixeira (Sturm Graz), Helio Varela (Portimonense).
Cote d’Ivoire
Appearances: 25Best result: Winners (1992, 2015)Coach: Jean-Louis Gasset (France)Player to watch: Sebastien Haller
Drawn in Group A with Equatorial Guinea, Guinea Bissau and Nigeria.
Squad:
Goalkeepers: Yahia Fofana (Angers), Charles Folly (ASEC Abidjan), Badra Ali Sangare (Sekhukhune United)
Defenders: Serge Aurier (Nottingham Forest), Willy Boly (Nottingham Forest), Chester Diallo (Hajduk Split), Ousmane Diomande (Sporting Lisbon), Ghislain Konan (Al Feyha), Odilon Kossonou (Bayer Leverkusen), Evan Ndicka (AS Roma), Wilfried Singo (AS Monaco)
Midfielders: Lazare Amani (Union Saint Gilloise), Idrissa Doumbia (Al Ahli), Seko Fofana (Al Nassr), Max-Alain Gradel (Gaziantep), Franck Kessie (Al Ahli), Ibrahim Sangare (Nottingham Forest), Jean Michael Seri (Hull City)
Forwards: Simon Adingra (Brighton & Hove Albion), Jonathan Bamba (Celta Vigo), Jeremie Boga (Nice), Oumar Diakite (Stade Reims), Sebastien Haller (Borussia Dortmund), Karim Konate (Salzburg), Christian Kouame (Fiorentina), Jean-Philippe Krasso (Red Star Belgrade), Nicolas Pepe (Trapzonspor)
DR Congo
Appearances: 19Best result: Winners (1968, 1974)Coach: Sebastian Desabre (France)Player to watch: Cedric Bakambu
Drawn in Group F with Morocco, Tanzania and Zambia.
Squad:
Goalkeepers: Dimitri Bertaud (Montpellier), Lionel Mpasi (Rodez), Baggio Siadi (TP Mazembe)
Defenders: Dylan Batubinsika (St Etienne), Brian Bayeye (Ascoli), Rocky Bushiri (Hibernians), Henock Inonga (Simba, Tanzania), Gedeon Kalulu (Lorient), Joris Kayembe (Racing Genk), Arthur Masuaku (Besiktas), Chancel Mbemba (Marseille)
Midfielders: Theo Bongonda (Spartak Moscow), Grady Diangana (West Bromwich Albion), Gael Kakuta (Amiens), Edo Kayembe (Watford), Samuel Moutousamy (Nantes), Charles Pickel (Cremonese), Aaron Tshibola (Al Hatta)
Forwards: Simon Banza (Sporting Braga), Cedric Bakambu (Galatasaray), Meschack Elia (Young Boys Berne), Silas Katompa (VfB Stuttgart), Fiston Mayele (Pyramids), Yoane Wissa (Brentford).
Egypt
Appearances: 26Best result: Winners (1957, 1959, 1986, 1998, 2006, 2008, 2010)Coach: Rui Vitoria (Portugal)Player to watch: Mohamed Salah
Drawn in Group B with the Cape Verde Islands, Ghana and Mozambique.
Squad:
Goalkeepers: Mohamed Abou Gabal (National Bank), Ahmed El Shennawy (Pyramids), Mohamed El Shennawy (Al Ahly), Mohamed Sobhi (Zamalek)
Defenders: Mohamed Abdelmoneim (Al Ahly), Ahmed Fatouh (Zamalek), Ali Gabr, Osama Galal, Mohamed Hamdy (all Pyramids), Mohamed Hany (Al Ahly), Ahmed Hegazi (Al Ittihad), Yasser Ibrahim (Al Ahly), Omar Kamal (Future), Ahmed Samy (Pyramids)
Midfielders: Emam Ashour, Marwan Attia (both Al Ahly), Mohamed Elneny (Arsenal), Hamdi Fathi (Pyramids), Mahmoud Hamada (Al Ahly), Mohanad Lashin (Pyramids), Ahmed Zizo (Zamalek)
Forwards: Mostafa Fathi (Pyramids), Mahmoud Kahraba (Al Ahly), Ahmed Hassan Kouka (Pendikspor), Omar Marmoush (Eintracht Frankfurt), Mostafa Mohamed (Nantes), Mohamed Salah (Liverpool), Mahmoud Trezeguet (Trabzonspor).
Equatorial Guinea
Appearances: 4Best result: Semifinals (2015)Coach: Juan Micha (Equatorial Guinea)Player to watch: Saul Coco
Drawn in Group A with Guinea Bissau, Ivory Coast and Nigeria.
Squad:
Goalkeepers: Aitor Embela (CD Soneja), Manuel Sapunga (Polokwane City), Jesus Owono (Deportivo Alaves)
Defenders: Carlos Akapo (San Jose Earthquakes), Marvin Anieboh (CD Illescas), Hugo Buyla (Sampdoria), Saul Coco (Las Palmas), Jose Elo (Merida), Basilio Ndong (Universitatea Craiova), Charles Ondo (Huddersfield Town), Esteban Orozco (Arges), Nestor Senra (Real Aviles Industrial)
Midfielders: Luis Asue (Sporting Braga), Alex Balboa (Huesca), Federico Bikoro (Club Africain), Jannick Buyla (Logrones), Santiago Eneme (MFK Vyskov), Pablo Ganet (Alcoyano), Jose Machin (Monza), Josete Miranda (Niki Volou), Federico Nguema (CSF Balti), Iban Salvador (Miedz Legnica)
Forwards: Noe Ela (Numancia), Jose Nabil (Cano Sport), Emilio Nsue (Inter City), Salomon Obama (Santa Coloma), Oscar Siafa (Alessandria).
Gambia
Appearances: 2Best result: Quarterfinals (2021)Coach: Tom Saintfiet (Belgium)Player to watch: Yankuba Minteh
Drawn in Group C with Cameroon, Guinea and Senegal.
Squad:
Goalkeepers: Baboucarr Gaye (Lokomotiv Sofia), Modou Jobe (Musanze), Lamin Sarr (Eskilsminne)
Defenders: Omar Colley (Besiktas), James Gomez (Sparta Prague), Saidy Janko (Young Boys Berne), Pa Dawda Ngum (Ariana), Jacob Mendy (Wrexham), Bubacarr Sanneh (Zvijerda), Muhammed Sanneh (Banik Ostrava), Noah Sonko-Sundberg (Ludogorets Razgrad), Ibou Touray (Stockport County)
Midfielders: Sanyang Abdoulie (Grenoble), Ebou Adams (Cardiff City), Hamza Barry (Vejle), Yusupha Bobb (Kawkab Marrakech), Ebrima Darboe (LASK Linz), Ablie Jallow (Metz), Sulayman Marreh (Gent), Alasana Manneh (Odense)
Forwards: Muhammed Badamosi (Al Hazem), Musa Barrow (Al Tawoon), Assan Ceesay (Damac), Ebrima Colley (Young Boys Berne), Alieu Fadera (Racing Genk), Yankuba Minteh (Feyenoord Rotterdam), Ali Sowe (Ankaragucu).
Ghana
Appearances: 23Best result: Winners (1963, 1965, 1978, 1982)Coach: Chris Hughton (Ireland)Player to watch: Mohammed Kudus
Drawn in Group B with Egypt, Cape Verde and Mozambique.
Squad:
Goalkeepers: Lawrence Ati-Zigi (St Gallen), Richard Ofori (Orlando Pirates), Joe Wollacott (Hibernian)
Defenders: Daniel Amartey (Leicester City), Alexander Djiku (Fenerbahce), Abdul Fatawu Hamid (Medeama), Gideon Mensah (AJ Auxerre), Denis Odoi (Club Brugge), Nicholas Opoku (Amiens), Mohammed Salisu (AS Monaco), Kingsley Schindler (Samsunspor), Alidu Seidu (Clermont Foot)
Midfielders: Majeed Ashimeru (Anderlecht), Osman Bukari (Red Star Belgrade, Serbia), Baba Iddrisu (Almeria), Ransford Koningsdorffer (Hamburg SV), Mohammed Kudus (West Ham United), Richmond Lamptey (Asante Kotoko), Elisha Owusu (AJ Auxerre), Joseph Paintsil (Racing Genk), Salis Abdul Samed (Racing Lens)
Forwards: Andre Ayew (Le Havre), Jordan Ayew (Crystal Palace), Ernest Nuamah (Olympique Lyonnais), Antoine Semenyo (Bournemouth), Jonathan Sowah (Medeama), Inaki Williams (Athletic Bilbao).
Guinea
Appearances: 14Best result: Runners-up (1976)Coach: Kaba Diawara (Guinea)Player to watch: Serhou Guirassy
Drawn in Group C with Cameroon, Gambia and Senegal
Squad
Goalkeepers: Moussa Camara (Horoya), Aly Keita (Ostersund), Ibrahim Kone (Hibernians)
Defenders: Mohamed Ali Camara (Young Boys Berne), Antoine Conte (Botev Plovdiv), Mouctar Diakhaby (Valencia), Ibrahim Diakite (Stade Reims), Julian Jeanvier (Kayserispor), Saidou Sow (Racing Strasbourg), Issiaga Sylla (Montpellier), Sekou Oumar Sylla (Cambuur Leeuwarden)
Midfielders: Aguibou Camara (Atromitos), Karim Cisse (Saint-Etienne), Seydouba Cisse (Leganes), Amadou Diawara (Anderlecht), Naby Keita (Werder Bremen), Mory Konate (KV Mechelen), Ilaix Moriba (RB Leipzig), Abdoulaye Toure (Le Havre),
Forwards: Mohamed Bayo (Le Havre), Facinet Conte (Bastia), Morgan Guilavogui (Racing Lens), Serhou Guirassy (VfB Stuttgart), Francois Kamano (Abha), Jose Martinez Kante (Urawa Red Diamonds).
Guinea-Bissau
Appearances: 4Best result: Group stageCoach: Baciro Cande (Guinea-Bissau)Player to watch: Mama Balde
Drawn in Group A with Equatorial Guinea, Ivory Coast and Nigeria.
Squad:
Goalkeepers: Ouparine Djoco (Royal Francs Borains), Fernando Embadje (Alcanenense), Jonas Mendes (Kalamata)
Defenders: Fali Cande (Metz), Marcelo Djalo (Palencia), Jefferson Encada (Pharco), Edgar Ie (Basaksehir), Houboulang Mendes (Almeria), Nanu (Samsunspor), Nito (Maritimo), Opa Sangante (Dunkerque)
Midfielders: Janio Bikel (Gaziantep), Morreto Cassama (Omonia Nicosia), Dalcio (Apoel Nicosia), Carlos Mane (Kayserispor), Sori Mane (Academico Viseu), Carlos Mendes (Bolton Wanderers), Mauro Rodrigues (Yverdon Sport), Alfa Semedo (Al Tai)
Forwards: Mama Balde (Olympique Lyonnais), Franculino (Midtjylland), Zinho Gano (Zulte Waregem), Famana Quizera (Academico Viseu), Marciano Sanca (Almeria), Ze Turbo (FC Pari Nizhniy Novgorod)
Mali
Appearances: 18Best result: Winners (2012)Coach: Eric Chelle (Mali)Player to watch: Yves Bissouma
Drawn in Group E with Namibia, South Africa and Tunisia
Squad
Goalkeepers: Aboubacar Doumbia (Afrique Football Elite), Djigui Diarra (Young Africans), Ismael Diawara (Malmo)
Defenders: Amadou Dante (Sturm Graz), Moussa Diarra (Toulouse), Mamadou Fofana (Amiens), Boubacar Kiki Kouyate (Montpellier), Sikou Niakate (Sporting Braga), Falaye Sacko (Montpellier), Hamari Traore (Real Sociedad)
Midfielders: Yves Bissouma (Tottenham Hotspur), Mohamed Camara (Monaco), Lassana Coulibaly (Salernitana), Aliou Dieng (Al Ahly), Kamory Doumbia (Stade Brest), Amadou Haidara (RB Leipzig), Diadie Samassekou (Hoffenheim), Adama ‘Noss’ Traore (Hull City), Boubacar Traore (Wolverhampton Wanderers)
Forwards: Fousseni Diabate (Lausanne Sport), Nene Dorgeles (Salzburg), Serine Doucoure (Lorient), Moussa Doumbia (Al Adala), Sekou Koita (Salzburg), Youssoufa Nikaite (Bani Yas), Lassine Sinayoko (AJ Auxerre), Ibrahima Sissoko (Saint Etienne).
Mauritania
Appearances: 2Best result: Group stageCoach: Amir Abdou (Comoros)Player to watch: Aboubakary Koita
Drawn in Group D with Algeria, Angola and Burkina Faso.
Squad:
Goalkeepers: Namori Diaw (Tevragh Zeina), Babacar Niasse (En Avant Guingamp), Mbacké N’Diaye (Nouakchott Kings)
Defenders: Aly Abeid (UTA Arad), Lamine Ba (NK Varazdin), Khadim Diaw (Al Hilal), Nouh Mohamed El Abd (FC Nouadhibou), El Hassen Houeibib (Al Zawraa), Ibrahima Keita (TP Mazembe), Bakary Ndiaye (Al Quwa Al Jawiya), Mohamed Dellah Yali (Al Hedod)
Midfielders: El Hadji Ba, Mouhsine Bodda (both FC Nouadhibou), Bakari Camara (Villefranche-Beaujolais), Sidi Ahmed Mohamed El Abd (Nouakchott Kings), Guessouma Fofana (Doxa Katokopias), Omare Gassama (Chateauroux), Yassin El Welly (US Monastir), Oumar Ngom (Pau)
Forwards: Souleymane Anne (KMSK Deinze), Pape Ibnou Ba (Concarneau), Amar Sidi Bouna (FC Nouadhibou), Souleymane Doukara (Magusa Turk Gucu), Aboubakar Kamara (Al Jazira), Aboubakaray Koita (St Truiden), Hemeya Tanji (Ai Ittihad Tripoli), Idrissa Thiam (Al Mesaimeer).
Morocco
Appearances: 20Best result: Winners (1976)Coach: Waldo Regragui (Morocco)Player to watch: Hakim Ziyech
Drawn in Group F with the Democratic Republic of Congo, Tanzania and Zambia
Squad:
Goalkeepers: El Mehdi Benabid (Royal Armed Forces), Yassine Bounou (Al Hilal), Munir El Kajoui (Al Wehda),
Defenders: Yunis Abdelhamid (Stade Reims), Abdelkabir Abqar (Deportivo Alaves), Nayef Aguerd (West Ham United), Yahya Attiat-Allah (Wydad Casablanca), Mohamed Chibi (Pyramids), Achraf Hakimi (Paris St Germain), Noussair Mazraoui (Bayern Munich), Chadi Riad (Real Betis), Romain Saiss (Al Shabab)
Midfielders: Selim Amallah (Valencia), Sofyan Amrabat (Manchester United), Oussama El Azzouzi (Bologna), Bilal El Khannouss (Racing Genk), Azzedine Ounahi (Olympique de Marseille), Amir Richardson (Stade Reims)
Forwards: Amine Adli (Bayer Leverkusen), Sofiane Boufal (Al Rayyan), Ayoub El Kaabi (Olympiakos), Youssef En-Nesyri (Sevilla), Abdessamad Ezzalzouli (Real Betis), Amine Harit (Olympique de Marseille), Ismael Saibari (PSV Eindhoven), Tarik Tissoudali (Gent), Hakim Ziyech (Galatasaray).
Mozambique
Appearances: 4Best result: Group stageCoach: Chiquinho Conde (Mozambique)Player to watch: Reinildo
Drawn in Group B with the Cape Verde Islands, Egypt and Ghana.
Squad:
Goalkeepers: Ernan (UD Songo), Fazito (Ferroviario Nampula), Ivane (Associacao Black Bulls)
Defenders: Edmilson (Kaizer Chiefs), Infren (UD Songo), Bruno Langa (Chaves), Domingos Macandza (Costa do Sol), David Malembana (Noah), Mexer (Bandirmaspor), Nene (Associacao Black Bulls), Reinildo (Atletico Madrid)
Midfielders: Alfons Amade (KV Oostende), Amadou (Ferroviario Beira), Clesio Bauque (Honka), Geny Catamo (Sporting Lisbon), Dominguez (UD Songo), Guima (Chaves), Joao (Ferroviario Beira), Gildo Lourenco (Sporting Covilha), Shaquille (Ferroviario Maputo), Witi (Nacional)
Forwards: Lau King (Sagrada Esperanca), Stanley Ratifo (CFR Pforzheim)
Namibia
Appearances: 3Best result: Group stageCoach: Collin Benjamin (Namibia)Player to watch: Peter Shalulile
Drawn in Group E with Mali, South Africa and Tunisia.
Squad:
Goalkeepers: Loydt Kazapua (Chippa United), Edward Maova (University of Pretoria), Kamainjanda Ndisiro (African Stars)
Defenders: Kennedy Amutenya (Gaborone United), Ananias Gebhardt (Baroka), Charles Hambira (African Stars), Riaan Hanamub (AmaZulu), Denzil Haoseb (Khomas Nampol), Lubeni Haukongo (Cape Town Spurs), Ivan Kamberipa (Orapa United), Ryan Nyambe (Derby County), Aprocius Petrus (Liria Prizren)
Midfielders: Uetuuru Kambato (African Stars), Ngero Katua (UNAM), Marcel Papama, Wendell Rudath (both Jwaneng Galaxy), Petrus Shitembi (Kuching City), Prins Tjiueza (Liria Prizren)
Forwards: Deon Hotto (Orlando Pirates), Absalom Iimbondi (Khomas Nampol), Joslin Kamatuka (Maritzburg United), Bethuel Muzeu (Black Leopards), Peter Shalulile (Mamelodi Sundowns).
Nigeria
Appearances: 20Best result: Winners (1980, 1994, 2013)Coach: Jose Peseiro (Portugal)Player to watch: Victor Osimhen
Drawn in Group A with Equatorial Guinea, Guinea Bissau and Ivory Coast.
Squad:
Goalkeepers: Stanley Nwabili (Chippa United), Olorunleke Ojo (Enyimba), Francis Uzoho (Omonia Nicosia)
Defenders: Ola Aina (Nottingham Forest), Semi Ajayi (West Bromwich Albion), Chidozie Awaziem (Boavista), Calvin Bassey (Fulham), Kenneth Omeruo (Leganes), Bruno Onyemaechi (Boavista), Bright Osayi-Samuel (Fenerbahce), Zaidu Sanusi (FC Porto), William Troost Ekong (PAOK Salonika)
Midfielders: Joe Aribo (Southampton), Alex Iwobi (Fulham), Raphael Onyedika (Club Brugge), Frank Onyeka (Brentford), Alhassan Yusuf (Royal Antwerp)
Forwards: Terem Moffi (Nice), Samuel Chukwueze (AC Milan), Kelechi Iheanacho (Leicester City), Ademola Lookman (Atalanta), Ahmed Musa (Sivasspor), Victor Osimhen (Napoli), Moses Simon (Nantes), Sadiq Umar (Real Sociedad)
Senegal
Appearances: 17Best result: Winners (2021)Coach: Aliou Cisse (Senegal)Player to watch: Sadio Mane
Drawn in Group C with Cameroon, Gambia and Guinea.
Senegal win 2021 Africa Cup of Nations
Squad
Goalkeepers: Mory Diaw (Clermont Foot), Seny Dieng (Middlesbrough), Edouard Mendy (Al Ahli Jeddah)
Defenders: Fode Ballo-Toure (Fulham), Abdou Diallo (Al Arabi), Ismail Jakobs (Monaco), Kalidou Koulibaly (Al Hilal), Formose Mendy (Lorient), Abdoulaye Ndiaye (Troyes), Moussa Niakhate (Nottingham Forest), Youssouf Sabaly (Real Betis), Abdoulaye Seck (Maccabi Haifa)
Midfielders: Krepin Diatta (Monaco), Idrissa Gana Gueye (Everton), Pape Gueye (Olympique de Marseille), Cheikhou Kouyate (Nottingham Forest), Nampalys Mendy (Racing Lens), Iliman Ndiaye (Olympique de Marseille), Pape Matar Sarr (Tottenham Hotspur)
Forwards: Lamine Camara (Metz), Pathe Ciss (Rayo Vallecano), Boulaye Dia (Salernitana), Habib Diallo (Al Shabab), Nicolas Jackson (Chelsea), Sadio Mane (Al Nassr), Ismailia Sarr (Olympique de Marseille), Abdallah Sima (Rangers).
South Africa
Appearances: 11Best result: Winners (1996)Coach: Hugo Broos (Belgium)Player to watch: Percy Tau
Drawn in Group E with Mali, Namibia and Tunisia
Squad:
Goalkeepers: Ricardo Goss (SuperSport United), Veli Mothwa (AmaZulu), Ronwen Williams (Mamelodi Sundowns)
Defenders: Grant Kekana, Terrence Mashego (both Mamelodi Sundowns), Nyiko Mobbie (Sekhukhune United), Aubrey Modiba, Khuliso Mudau, Mothobi Mvala (all Mamelodi Sundowns), Nkosinathi Sibisi (Orlando Pirates), Siyanda Xulu (SuperSport United)
Midfielders: Jayden Adams (Stellenbosch), Teboho Mokoena (Mamelodi Sundowns), Thabang Monare (Orlando Pirates), Sphephelo Sithole (Tondela), Themba Zwane (Mamelodi Sundowns)
Forwards: Oswin Appollis (Polokwane City), Zakhele Lepasa, Evidence Makgopa (both Orlando Pirates), Thapelo Maseko (Mamelodi Sundowns), Mihlali Mayambela (Aris Limassol), Thapelo Morena (Mamelodi Sundowns), Percy Tau (Al Ahly).
Tanzania
Appearances: 3Best result: Group stageCoach: Adel Amrouche (Belgium)Player to watch: Mbwana Samatta
Drawn in Group F with the Democratic Republic of Congo, Morocco and Zambia.
Squad:
Goalkeepers: Beno Kakolanya (Singida Fountain Gate), Kwesi Kawawa (Karlslund), Aishi Manula (Simba)
Defenders: Abdi Banda (Richards Bay), Ibrahim Hamad (Young Africans), Mohamed Hussein (Simba), Dickson Job (Young Africans), Haji Mnoga (Aldershot Town), Lusajo Mwaikenda (Azam), Bakari Mwamnyeto (Young Africans), Novatus Miroshi (Shakhtar Donetsk), Miano van den Bos (Villena), Abdulmalik Zakaria (Namungo)
Midfielders: Morice Abraham (Spartak Subotica), Tarryn Allarakhia (Wealdstone), Sospeter Bajana (Azam), Kibu Denis (Simba), Himid Mao (Tala’ea El Geish), Mohammed Sagaf (Boreham Wood), Feisal Salum (Azam), Mudathiri Yahya (Young Africans), Mzamiru Yassin (Simba)
Forwards: Cyprian Kachwele (Vancouver Whitecaps), Charles M’mombwa (Macarthur), Simon Msuva (JS Kabylie), Mbwana Samatta (PAOK Salonika), Ben Starkie (Ikestown Town).
Tunisia
Appearances: 21Best result: Winners (2004)Coach: Jalel Kadri (Tunisia)Player to watch: Ellyes Skhiri
Drawn in Group E with Mali, Namibia and South Africa.
Squad:
Goalkeepers: Bechir Ben Said (US Monastir), Aymen Dhamen (Al Hazem), Mouez Hassen (Club Africain)
Defenders: Ali Abdi (Caen), Alaa Ghram (CS Sfaxien), Oussam Haddadi (Greuther Furth), Hamza Jelassi (Etoile Sahel), Wajdi Kechrida (Atromitos), Ali Maaloul (Al Ahly), Yassine Meriah (Esperance), Montassir Talbi (Lorient), Yan Valery (Angers)
Midfielders: Mohamed Ali Ben Romdhane (Ferencvaros), Anis Ben Slimane (Sheffield United), Aissa Laidouni (Union Berlin), Hadj Mahmoud (Lugano), Hamza Rafia (Lecce), Ellyes Skhiri (Eintracht Frankfurt), Bassem Srarfi (Club Africain), Houssem Tka (Esperance),
Forwards: Elias Achouri (FC Copenhagen), Seifeddine Jaziri (Zamalek), Haythem Jouini (Stade Tunisien), Taha Yassine Khenissi (Kuwait SC), Sayfallah Ltaief (Winterthur), Youssef Msakni (Al Arabi), Naim Sliti (Al Ahli).
Zambia
Appearances: 18Best result: Winners (2012)Coach: Avram Grant (Israel)Player to watch: Patson Daka
Drawn in Group F with the Democratic Republic of Congo, Morocco and Tanzania.
Squad:
Goalkeepers: Lawrence Mulenga (Power Dynamos), Francis Mwansa (Green Buffaloes), Toaster Nsabata (Zesco United)
Defenders: Dominic Chanda (Power Dynamos), Benedict Chepeshi (Red Arrows), Roderick Kabwe (Zakho), Gift Mphande (Hapoel Rishon Lezion), Frankie Musonda (Ayr United), Tandi Mwape (TP Mazembe), Zephaniah Phiri (Prison Leopards), Stoppila Sunzu (Jinan Xingzhou)
Midfielders: Emmanuel Banda (HNK Rijeka), Rally Bwalya (Sekhukhune United), Miguel Chaiwa (Young Boys Berne), Clatous Chama (Simba), Edward Chilufya (Hacken), Kings Kangwa (Red Star Belgrade), Kelvin Kampamba(Zesco United), Kelvin Kapumbu (Zanaco), Golden Mafwenta (MFK Vyskov), Frederick Mulambia (Power Dynamos), Lubambo Musonda (Silkeborg), Benson Sakala (Mlada Boleslav)
Forwards: Lameck Banda (Lecce), Patson Daka (Leicester City), Kennedy Musonda (Young Africans), Fashion Sakala (Al Fayha).
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