Calm before the storm: Accessing the AFCON power rankings as countries prepare to change the narratives in Cameroun

The African Cup of Nations will finally kick off in Cameroun on the ninth of January, after the postponement of the 33rd edition in 2020 due to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Algeria's forward Riyad Mahrez and his teammates celebrate with the trophy after winning the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) Final football match between Senegal and Algeria at the Cairo International Stadium. Image credit: Getty Images

Cameroun, the host nation have made the necessary preparations, according to the President of the country’s Football Association, Samuel Eto'o, who confirmed in a social media post that all is set for kickoff.

“With the final preparations for the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon in motion, it was great to visit Olembé Stadium with CAF president Patrice Motsepe. In this stadium we will kick off with our first match on January ninth, Cameroun vs. Burkina Faso.” He wrote on his Facebook handle.

The move to postpone the competition back in 2020 have seen several players move up the ranks while some others have gone down in the pecking order. It is the same for counties as the quest of some received boosts, while for others, it is blows.

In this narrative, we will be looking at the teams with the better prospects of doing well in the tournament, including those in better position to make history for their respective nations.

The Lions of Teranga of SENEGAL

Senegal will be making their 16th appearance at the AFCON and are yet to win the tittle since making their debut in 1965 - Over the years, they ranked 11th on the most points earned the competition and have finished runners up to the winners, twice.

Senegal players react after losing to Algeria in the final of the 2019 AFCON. Photo Credits: KHALED DESOUKI/Getty Images

However, the West African have massively improved since a successful Word Cup debut in 2002, which saw them reached the quater final stage of the competition after they had reached the final of the African Cup of Nations earlier in the same year.

They also lost in the final of the last edition, in 2019 (a second final loss) and are heavily favourites heading into Cameroun boasting superstars in the likes of Sadio Mané, Edouard Mendy, Kalidou Koulibaly, Idrissa Gana Gueye amongst others.

Chelsea goalkeeper Édouard Mendy is currently one of the best in the world, while Sadio Mané has been one of the players that return Liverpool back to the top. Ismaila Sarr, Cheikhou Kouyaté and Nampalys Mendy are players with wealth of experience in the most prophesied league in the world.

Idrissa Gana Gueye of PSG, Bayern Munich’ Bouna Sarr, Keita Balde of Cagliari and Marseille’s Bamba Dieng are also some of the players, who will be looked up to to help deliver Senegal’s first AFCON title, when the tournament gets underway in Cameroun.

Senegal are unbeaten in their last eight games and coach Aliou Cissé, who was part of the team that finished second in 2002 as managed them to a second place finish in 2019 will be looking to go one better and rewrite history with his country.

The Desert Warriors of ALGERIA

The defending Champions are one of the best teams in the world right now base on form as well as achievement. The Desert Warriors are currently on a 34 games unbeaten run, two away from equalling the all-time record for most international games without a defeat.

Moreso, the North Africans are fresh from winning the FIFA ARAB World Cup in Qatar, an achievement that will boost their confidence as they bid to retain the crown they earned in 2019 in Egypt.

Defending Champions, Algeria are on a 34 games unbeaten run, while they also recently win the FIFA Arab World Cup, making them the team to beat in the AFCON. PHOTO Credits /REUTERS

The two time African Champions are heavy favourites going into the tournament and many will undoubtedly understand they are the team to beat due to their dominance displays in games over the last two years.

Manchester City’s Riyad Mahrez is without a doubt their main man but manager Djamel Belmadi is blessed with other talented players to work around.

Ismael Bennacer, named the best player in the tournament has never slowed down ever since, getting the move to AC Milan and has helped return the Rossonerri back to the Champions League as they finished second in the Serie A last season.

Said Benrahma of West Ham United, Islam Slimani of Olympic Lyon, who has recently become the all-time scorer in the history of the country, Yacine Brahimi and Sofiane Feghouli are players with talent and some with a lot of experience in the competition.

Algeria will be the team to watchout for in Cameroun. They kickstart their campaign on the 11th of January against Sierra Leone and will play Equatorial Guinea and Ivory Coast later in group E.

The Elephants of IVORY COAST

Not much is being said of the two time African Champions when it comes to the teams with better chances of going all the way to lifting the title. Maybe the West African have let themselves down with a disappointing World Cup qualifying campaign where they finished second to Cameroun in the group stages and subsequent elimination in the second round of qualification.

To the disappointment of fans, Patrice Beaumelle has not been able to get the best out of a star-studded side. The Elephants last won the Nations Cup in 2015 and since then have endured difficulties in the tournament.

They were eliminated from the group stages in 2017 and in 2019, they reached the quarter finals before losing to eventual Champions Algeria, on penalties.

Heading into this edition, The Elephants boast arguably the best squad amongst their counterparts. The likes of Wilfred Zaha, Nicolas Pepe, Éric Bailly, Willy Boly, Maxwell Cornet, Frank Kessie and other fantastic players plying their trade in Europe top leagues.

Nicolas Pepe, Wilfred Zaha and other stars will be playing for Ivory Coast in the AFCON. Photo Credits: Getty images/ AFP

Another failure in Cameroun will be unforgiven by the fans of the Elephants, who will surely be dreaming of a good campaign for their side in this tournament due to the level and forms of their players heading into the Nations Cup.

Super Eagles of NIGERIA

The Super Eagles have not been convincing with their preparation for the tournament and that was part reason that saw the country’s football Federation part ways with Franco German tactician, Gernot Rorh and the subsequent appointment of Austin Eguavoen as the interim boss.

Emmanuel Dennis form for Watford has earned him a place in the Nigeria Super Eagles squad and will be one of their star men in the AFCON. (Photo by AFP)

Of late, there have been discussions about appointing a new manager few weeks before the AFCON as maybe the stakeholders are not convinced of Eguavoen. However, after the squad list was released on Saturday, it could be concluded that the former Green Eagles defender will lead the side to Cameroun.

Good news for the country is the return of Napoli striker, Victor Osimhen, who was previously ruled out due to an injury expected to keep him out for three months but the 22year old has made a quick recovery make their squad.

Nigeria dominated their group in the second round of the CAF World Cup qualifiers but it is expected in a group comprising Liberia, Cape Verde and Central African Republic. Their performances however did raised questions as to how they will fare against the other African powerhouses.

Blessed with a lot of fantastic players plying their trade for top European teams. Wilfred Ndidi, Alex Iwobi, Joe Aribo, Emmanuel Dennis, Taiwo Awoniyi and other players are young lads doing quite well in top leagues and the hopes of success in Cameroun is attached to these players.

The likes of Ahmed Musa and Odion Ighalo also add experience into the team. The absence of Watford Midfielder, Oghenekaro Etebo will be felt but coach Austin Eguavoen will be hopeful that Brentford’s Frank Onyeka will do well playing alongside Wilfred Ndidi in the middle of the park, where the country is short of options.

A lot is expected from the three times African Champions after their semi final loss to eventual Champions Algeria in 2019. They area also one of the best West African countries heading for Cameroun.

The Pharaohs of EGYPT

All eyes will be on Mohamed Salah when the record most winners of the AFCON, Egypt, kickoff their campaign in Cameroun in January. The seven times winners of the competition are unbeaten in their last eight games, finishing first in group in the second round of the African World Cup qualifiers.

Much about the Pharaohs in the AFCON will be down to the form of Liverpool’s main man, Mohamed Salah. (Photo Credits: AFP)

Despite holding a proud history in the competition, Egypt failed to qualify for three consecutive editions of the AFCON right after their success in 2010. They were not present in the 2011, 2013 and 2015 editions before returning in 2017 and finishing runners up to Cameroun after a 2-1 loss in the final played in Gabon.

Despite their dominant display in the group stages in the 2019 edition, they suffered a disappointing early elimination in the round of 16 to South Africa and after all these, The Pharaohs will be looking to get ti the main prize in Cameroun.

Apart from the Liverpool man Salah, the Egyptian National Team draws its strength from the home based players and that has helped deliver them titles that makes them the best National Team in the continent and this time, these players will also be needed at their best to fire The Pharaohs to glory in Cameroun.

Ramadan Sobhi, Mohamed Elneny, Omar Marmoush, Marwan Hamdy and Zizo are some of the other outstanding players as far as the National Team is concerned and all and others will be charged with helping the country maintain her reputation in the competition.

The Atlas Lions of MOROCCO

The winners in 1976 are one of the most inform African side and the country will feel they have the right set of players to try and win a second African Cup of Nations title.

The side, led by Bosnian manager Vahid Halilhodžić enjoyed a stellar campaign in the second round of the World Cup qualifiers, where they finished top of their group, winning all the six games while scoring 20 goals and conceding only one.

They also played in the FIFA ARAB World Cup and lost in the quarter finals to eventual Champions Algeria on penalties, after a 2-2 draw at the end of the extra time.

The Atlas Lions are unbeaten in their last 20 games, for games ending in 90 minutes (including games in the FIFA ARAB World Cup). And with players like Achraf Hakimi of PSG, Youssef En-Nesyri and Munir El Haddadi of Sevilla, Sofiane Boufal of Angers and Premier League trio of Romain Saiss, Adam Masina and Imran Louza will be out there in Cameroun to do their country proud.

Morocco were the best team in the second round of the CAF World Cup qualifiers and look in good shape heading into your AFCON.

The omission of Chelsea playmaker, Hakim Ziyech, who has made 40 appearances and scored 17 goals, is a big call from the manager but according to him, Morocco have several other good players to have a good outing in Cameroun without the former Ajax man.

20year old Barcelona’s Abdessamad Ezzalzouli has also been called up as The Atlas Lions look to add to the title they won 45years ago.

Black Stars of GHANA

The Black Stars of Ghana are also one of the top teams in Africa and the 2021 AFCON is another avenue for them to try and remain Africa and the World that they are no pushovers in the game, as they have been starved of success the competition since last winning it in 1982.

The West African country have reached the finals three times after 1982, losing all the three times in 1992, 2010 and 2015. In 2017, they lost to Burkina Faso in the semi finals while in the last edition, it was an early elimination after the group stages as Tunisia, in the round of 16 on penalties got the better of them.

Ghana have always been impressive in the AFCON and the fact that they have not been able to add to their four tires since 1982 is a big anticlimax which they will again look to put behind them in search of gold in Cameroun.

They are one of the teams that will compete in the final round of CAF World Cup qualifiers after topping a group comprising the Bafana Bafana of South Africa. They have just one loss in their last eight competitive games which is a good form heading into a major tournament.

Thomas Partey of Arsenal, the Ayew brothers André and Jordan, Daniel Amartey of Leicester City and others will be flying the flag of Ghana in Cameroun looking to go better than their best since the title drought, which will be becoming the champions.

Eagles of Carthage of Tunisia

Since winning the competition in 2004, Tunisia have so far keep themselves in the midst of the consistent team in the African continental competition, never missed out eversince and reaching the quarter finals six times since then while also making it all the way to a fourth place finish the last time out in 2019.

Currently the fourth best ranked team in Africa, Tunisia are one of the dominant North African teams that draws their strength from the home based players and that saw them to a second place finish in the just concluded FIFA Arab World Cup.

They also finished top of their group in the second round of the CAF World Cup qualifiers picking up 13 out of the possible 18 and coach Mondher Kebaier will be positive ahead of the showdown in Cameroun.

The Eagles of Carthage will come for it all and they are one of the teams to watchout for in the AFCON.

Indomitable Lions of CAMEROUN

2017 winners Cameroun will be counting on their home support to make it two out of three possible titles when the tournament kickoff on their home soil on the 9th of January.

Cameroun players celebrate with the AFCON trophy in 2017 after beating Egypt 2-1 in the final. (Photo Credits: GABRIEL BOUYS)

The Indomitable Lions, on the back of successfully qualifying for the final round of the CAF World Cup qualifiers come into this tournament knowing they have a good reputation, winning five of the seven times they have played in the final.

Cameroun have won each of the AFCON finals they have played and now on home soil, Head Coach, Toni Conceicao and the group will be stronger in belief of their chances in the 33rd edition.

Karl Toko Ekambi, Frank Zambo Anguissa, Erick Maxim Choupo-Moting and Vincent Aboubakar will be the host’s source for inspiration in the tournament while the support of the current President of the Cameroun Football Federation, Samuel Eto'o Fils will also give them needed strength to have a good outing on home soil.

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Of course others are also teams to watchout for in the competition, in the likes of Burkina Faso, first timers, Comoros amongst others as they will also have a point to prove and earn themselves a reputation in the competition and secure a better status in continent in terms of football.

It promises to be an exciting tournament in Cameroun and the matches promises to be fun, mostly when it reaches the later stages and the heavyweights lockhorns with one another.

Author: Kehinde Hassan Afolabi