AFCON 2023 Group B Predictions and Preview: Egypt, Ghana, Cape Verde, and Mozambique

• The 34th Africa Cup of Nations kicks off this weekend
• Group B has two former champions, Egypt and Ghana
• Cape Verde and Mozambique are looking to spoil the party

We're just days away from the first 2023 Africa Cup of Nations match.

Fans, analysts and ex-players have been making their predictions from the group stages to the final.

Group B will see giants and former winners Egypt and Ghana lock horns, but Cape Verde and Mozambique will be looking to cause an upset.

The anticipation is that Egypt and Ghana will easily progress through the group stages of the tournament. However, AFCON history has shown that lesser-favoured nations are capable of competing on par with more talented teams.

The tournament often surprises with the resilience and skill displayed by underdog nations against their more fancied counterparts.

Sports Brief looks at Group B as the 34th edition of the tournament edges closer.

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AFCON Group B breakdown

Egypt

No country has won more AFCON titles than the Pharaohs. The North African nation have been somehow consistent throughout its AFCON history. They are the only team to win the AFCON three-peat (2006, 2008, 2010). Still, their last title came in 2010, and they missed the 2012, 2013 and 2015 editions. Led by Mohamed Salah, they lost to Senegal on penalties in the 2021 AFCON final.

This could be Salah's last chance to win AFCON, so many are hoping for an inspired performance. Most of their squad plays in the Egyptian Premier League, arguably the best league in Africa. The likes of Trezeguet and Omar Marmoush complement the Liverpool star. Therefore, they shouldn't have any problem going deep into the tournament.

Prediction: Egypt to finish top of the Group.

Ghana

The Black Stars are a giant in African football. They have won the competition four times and have always produced some of Africa's best players in Africa. However, most of their AFCON titles were won in the 60s, 70s and 80s, so most Ghanaians never saw their team celebrate.

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The title has evaded them for over four decades, and Chris Hughton's side will be hoping for a much better performance in Cote d'Ivoire. They finished bottom of their group in the 2021 edition. In that tournament, their fate was sealed by an embarrassing defeat to minnows Comoros.

This time, they have an in-form Mohammed Kudus, Inaki Willians and an experienced coach in Hughton.

Prediction: Ghana finish second behind Egypt.

Cape Verde

Cape Verde are playing in their 4th Africa Cup of Nations tournament after playing in the 2013, 2015, 2021 editions. They reached the quarter-finals in 2013, and they could be the dark horses in Cote d'Ivoire since most of their players play in Portugal, Spain, Austria, and Italy, per BBC.

They reached the Round of 16 in the last edition, and if I'm Egypt and Ghana, I will be wary of Cape Verde. Fatih Karagumruk's winger Ryan Mendes is a player to keep an eye on in Cape Verde's squad, per CAF. It won't be a surprise if Pedro Leitao Brito's men go through as one of the best third-best-placed teams.

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Prediction: Cape Verde to finish third.

Mozambique

The Southern African nation are taking part in just their fifth AFCON tournament. They played in the 1986, 1996, 1998, and 2010 editions. They failed to get past the group stages in all those tournaments, and they are in a tough group this time.

They will need a special effort to get a spot in the Round of 16. Sporting CP's Geny Catamo will be a player to watch for the Mambas. Atletico Madrid's Reinildo Mandava will also be required to bring experience to the squad.

Prediction: Mozambique to finish bottom of Group B.

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AFCON Group C Preview

Sports Brief recently compiled a list of what to expect from AFCON Group C, which includes Senegal, Cameroon, Guinea and The Gambia.

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Sadio Mane's Senegal and Andre Onana's Cameroon will be favourites to win the group.

Guniea and the Gambia will be the two teams hoping to progress as the third-best team.