Africa Cup Of Nations 2021 (AFCON 2021) is said to be the 33rd edition of the continent’s biggest competition which is scheduled to take place in Cameroon from Jan 9 to Feb 2022.
With the competition starting in 1957, the competitions had been won by 14 different teams, with Egypt being the best team winning the competition seven-time, followed by Cameroon, Ghana, and Nigeria have had the greatest share in the competition.
The competition over the years had produced great players in world football like Weah, Eto’o, Drogba, Yaya Toure, Okocha, Kanu, Keita, Kanoute to mention a few, with this year not devoiding of star players.
The 2021 edition not left out of the show, players from different leagues of the world who had dominated and in impressive forms are inclusive in this year edition, players like Salah, Mane, Haller, Sarr, Iheanacho, Keita, Benrahma, Mendy, Aubameyang, Hakimi and others are stars to see in the competition.
The competition had officially been scheduled for 2021 but was later rescheduled by the CAF for 2022 due to the Covid19 outbreak in 2020.
Forsige sport takes a deep insight analysis on who takes the all in this year’s edition, with countries full of stars ready to steal the show in Cameroon.
Top Teams To Watch In AFCON 2021
Egypt: Is the most successful team in the tournament, Egypt will be looking to continue their form as the highest holder of the trophy, which they have 7times, they will be looking to clinch their 8th trophy in Cameroon. Egypt will be banking on the impressive form of their star forward Mohammed Salah to help them clinch the title.
Senegal: They are another team to watch out for in this year’s edition, with no title to their name yet, Senegal will look to keep up their run of forms at Cameroon having being the runner-up in the 32nd edition which they lose to Algeria in 2019.
Senegal will be hoping for the continuous form of Liverpool forward Mane, Chelsea goalkeeper Eduardo Mane and Napoli defender Koulibaly for their first title.
Algeria: The defending champion will be hoping to retain their title this year, an early goal lead was what was needed by Algeria to win their second title against Senegal.
Riyad Mahrez will be looking for his second title with Algeria and also to be among the best player to trade the competition.
Nigeria: The Super Eagles of Nigeria is among the teams to watch out for in the competition. They were the third runner-up in 2019, and also have the highest record of third position (8) in the tournament. Having their prolific strikers of Victor Osimhen and Odion Ighalo missing out of the squad, they will be banking on players like Ndidi, Iheanacho, and Iwobi to win them their 4th trophy.
Ghana: The Black Stars will be dreaming of their 5th title to bring them close to the host Cameroon as part of the successful team in the competition. Having been unable to seal victory in five finals, they will be hoping to break the jinns this year.
Cameroon: The Indomitable Lions will be seeking to win the title which they hosted. Their last title victory was in 2017 against The Pharaoh of Egypt team which gave them their 5th title, victory this year will put them a trophy behind leader Egypt in their title cabinet.
The Indomitable Lions will see their new Football Federation President (Samuel Eto’o) and their home fans as inspiration to win them the title.
Ivory Coast: With the recent introduction of Sebastian Haller who has had the most of 2021 at Ajax under his feet, and likewise his impressive form in the Champion leagues will be a great boost for the Elephant who last won the title in 2015.
With Haller leading the front supported by Zaha and Pepe, the Elephant reek of stars for the tournament, and are seen as a contender for the continental trophy.
Morocco: With Hakim Ziyech out of the squad, Morocco will be looking up to Hakimi and their forwards to bring them the trophy which they last won in 1976.
Tunisia: Another team seen as a contender for the trophy is Tunisia. The team had been impressive in recent years against teams in the world and Africa at large. With their last victory in the competition coming up in 2004, they will be hoping to repeat the feat again in Cameroon.
Gabon: Despite the controversy circling the future of Aubameyang over his form at Arsenal, the Gabonese will be hoping for a turn-around in their striker form to bring them their first ever trophy.
With other teams going into the competition as contenders, they will be hoping to provide a shock at the tournament despite not reeling many stars, but they still hope to change the tide to their advantage.
Teams like Mali, Guinea, Gambia, Zimbabwe, Ethiopia, Cape Verde will be hoping to see their stars shine in this year tournament.
