AFCON 2023 Group A Predictions, Preview: Ivory Coast, Nigeria, Equatorial Guinea, and Guinea-Bissau

• The 2023 Africa Cup of Nations will kick off on Saturday in Abidjan, Ivory Coast
• Group A has two former champions, Ivory Coast and Nigeria and two dark horses
• Victor Osimhen and Sebastian Haller are some of the stars to watch in this group

The 2023 Africa Cup of Nations is set to kick off in three days, with the host nation, Ivory Coast, opening Group A with a tricky tie against Guinea-Bissau.

Group A is one of the toughest groups in the competition, with three-time African champions Nigeria being drawn alongside the hosts, Guinea-Bissau, and Equatorial Guinea.

Popular opinion among fans and football pundits is for the Elephants and the Super Eagles to claim the top two qualification tickets.

However, that might not be the case due to the history behind smaller teams causing upsets in the competition. Sports Brief looks at Group A as the biggest football tournament in Africa steadies for kick-off.

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AFCON Group A breakdown

Ivory Coast

The Elephants hope to replicate the likes of Ghana, Nigeria, South Africa, Egypt, Algeria, Tunisia, and Sudan by being the ninth country to host and win the competition.

This is the second time Ivory Coast is hosting the competition and they have won it twice (1992, 2015); a third win on home soil would rectify for their performance in the last edition.

The host nation boasts top talents like Sebastian Haller, Seko Fofana, Nicolas Pepe, and Serge Aurier.

Prediction: Ivory Coast to finish top of the group.

Nigeria

The Super Eagles are considered one of the favourites to win the competition and are often called the giants of Africa, but injuries have left the team somewhat barren.

Nigeria have won the AFCON thrice (1980, 1994, 2013), and a win in Ivory Coast would take their tally to four.

Some players to watch out for the Eagles are Victor Osimhen (the current African Footballer of the Year), Alex Iwobi, Ahmed Musa and Victor Boniface.

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Prediction: Nigeria to finish second behind the host nation.

Equatorial Guinea

The National Thunder are ranked among the dark horses for the competition. They failed to qualify for the semi-finals in the last edition in Cameroon but are fully prepared for this year's tournament.

The Elephants' best run in the tournament was in 2012, when they came fourth. They have stars like Carlos Akapo, Emilio Nsue, and Luis Nlavo to call upon.

Prediction: Equatorial Guinea to finish third.

Guinea-Bissau

After featuring in the last three editions, the Djurtus will be competing in their fourth AFCON this year.

They failed to get past the group stages in all those competitions and are in a tough group this time.

Their hopes rest upon Olympique Lyonnais forward, Mama Balde and Zulte Waregem's Zinho Gano.

Prediction: Guinea-Bissau will finish at the bottom of Group A.

AFCON Group C Preview

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Sports Brief also previously broke down what to expect from AFCON Group C, which includes defending champions Senegal, Cameroon, Guinea, and The Gambia.

The Teranga Lions and the Indomitable Lions will be favourites to win the group. Guinea and the Gambia will be the two teams hoping to progress as the third-best.