AFCON 2023: Legendary African Players Make Bold Predictions on Tournament Winners

• Football legends are making bold predictions for the AFCON 2023
• Senegal, Morocco and Nigeria stand out as favourites to lift the trophy
• Yaya Toure and El Hadji Diouf are among legends who have made predictions

Excitement is building on the Ivory Coast as the Africa Cup of Nations kickoff approaches on Saturday, January 13, 2024.

With the tournament returning to the West African nation after 40 years, leaders are eager to showcase Ivory Coast's progress, hosting 24 teams compared to eight in 1984.

Former African football stars are making bold predictions about the potential winners.

John Mikel Obi, the ex-Chelsea midfielder, confidently tipped Nigeria to secure their fourth AFCON title.

"The tournament is coming home, AFCON 2023 is coming home to Nigeria," Mikel is quoted on Daily Post Nigeria.

Former Cote d’Ivoire captain Yaya Toure expressed a preference for his home country but provided a balanced assessment of the tournament's potential winners. While acknowledging Ivory Coast's strong team and talented players, Toure identified Senegal, Morocco, Guinea-Bissau, and South Africa as his top favourites.

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Meanwhile, a former Ghana star, Mohammed Polo, remains optimistic about the Black Stars' chances, foreseeing them as runners-up in a challenging group alongside Egypt, Cape Verde, and Mozambique.

"I expect Ghana to qualify as runner-up to Egypt in Group Two, but advancement will not be easy in the presence of Cape Verde and Mozambique," says Polo, as quoted on Ghana Soccer Net.

El Hadji Diouf, the former Senegalese football star, named Morocco among his favourites while ranking Senegal and host Côte d'Ivoire as top contenders. Diouf ranked defending champions Senegal as his top favourite, followed by host Côte d'Ivoire and Morocco. He praises the Moroccan team's potential, citing their impressive performance at the World Cup finals in Qatar.

Former Ivory Coast striker Didier Drogba warned his home country while subtly backing them to go all the way. The Chelsea legend stressed the need to focus on strengths and progress.

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Algeria legend Rabah Madjer also named the Super Eagles of Nigeria as one of the ‘giants’ who could lift the trophy. Madjer was a star in the 1980s, featuring for the North Africans as they reached the AFCON final in 1980 and in 1990 when they won the title on home soil.

Francis Kimani’s predictions

Sports Brief reported when Former coach of the Kenyan national team, Francis Kimanzi, made his prediction for the tournament.

Kimanzi said his pick to win the tournament is Senegal.

Kimanzi coached Harambee Stars in 2008 and 2011 before parting ways with the Football Kenya Federation (FKF).