AFCON 2023: Why Yaya Toure Is Backing South Africa to Win Tournament

• Yaya Toure has given South Africa an outside chance to win the AFCON
• Hugo Broos’ team are seeking to win their second continental title
• South Africa last won the Africa Cup of Nations in 1996 as hosts

South Africans will be pleased to hear former Manchester City midfielder Yaya Toure has backed Bafana Bafana as one of the favourites to win the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.

The former Ivory Coast captain selected Hugo Broos’ team as one of five nations who have a chance of emerging champions of Africa’s most prestigious football competition scheduled for next year.

According to iDiski Times, Toure says South Africa’s impressive results in the qualifiers makes them a serious contender for the title alongside teams like Senegal and Morocco.

“It’s normal to have a preference for your own country. Côte d’Ivoire have a strong team and many talented and experienced players.”

Head Coach Hugo Broos Set to Submit Bafana Bafana's AFCON 2023 Preliminary Squad to CAF amid Player Bonus Stalemate

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“But if I had to pick teams I think are favourites, I’d say Senegal, Morocco, Guinea-Bissau and South Africa. Their record in the qualifiers was impressive.”

Bafana Bafana qualified for the 34th edition of the AFCON with two victories, one draw and one loss to finish second with seven points behind Morocco in Group K.

Percy Tau key to Bafana’s success

Meanwhile, reigning Best African Inter-Club Player at the CAF Awards 2023 Percy Tau will play a key role if South Africa should stand a chance of causing any major upset at the Africa Cup of Nations, Sport News Africa reports.

Tau has been rejuvenated since joining Egyptian giants Al Ahly and recently led the team to the bronze medal at the 2023 FIFA Club World Cup.

The Al Ahly forward is one of South Africa’s attacking weapons and Hugo Broos will surely rely on his experience to lead his team the AFCON trophy.

Foster, Siyabonga in as Broos names South Africa's preliminary AFCON squad

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Bafana star ruled out of AFCON

Earlier, Sports Brief reported South African manager Hugo Broos has been hit with a big blow ahead of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations as Bafana Bafana star has been ruled out of the competition.

The Belgian manager recently released his 50-man preliminary squad ahead of Africa's biggest football competition.

The Bafana Bafana provisional list for AFCON came under criticism from South African fans on social media, and they've lost one of their most reliable player on the list.