AFCON 2023: Harambee Stars Midfielder Richard Odada Predicts Winner of Tournament

• A week has passed since the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations kicked off in Ivory Coast
• Defending champions, Senegal have proven why many consider them favourites
• Kenya international, Richard Odada has made his prediction for the final winner

The 2023 Africa Cup of Nations is entering a crucial stage. Most teams are trying to secure their spot in the Round of 16 this week.

Harambee Stars midfielder, Richard Odada has named the team he expects to see lift the trophy on February 11 in Ivory Coast.

Many pre-tournament favourites have won the continental title before, but underdogs like Cape Verde and Burkina Faso have shown promising signs early in the tournament.

Speaking exclusively to Sports Brief, Odada, who plays for AaB Fodbold in Denmark's second tier, snubbed previous winners, Nigeria and Morocco when giving his prediction.

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

Football

"Of course, it is Senegal. They have a good team and I think they should be able to retain their title. I know football has a way of surprising people but I am sure they will make the final at least."

The Lions of Teranga won their first-ever AFCON title in 2022 and have shown they can go all the way in Ivory Coast. Aliou Cisse's men have registered two convincing victories so far, per the BBC.

Morocco, a 2022 World Cup semi-finalist, is also a serious contender for the title. Much of their squad from Qatar is intact, and many fans expect them to win it. Nigeria and hosts Ivory Coast are considered contenders.

Meanwhile, per Transfermarkt, Odada has made four appearances for Kenya, who missed out on this year's edition.

Kimanzi predicts 2023 AFCON winner

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

AFCON 2023: Supercomputer predicts country to win tournament in Ivory Coast

Football

Kimanzi, who was part of Kenya's coaching team at the 2019 edition of AFCON, picked the defending champions, Senegal to win it.

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

Pitso Mosimane picks AFCON winner

Meanwhile, as Sports Brief also reported, ex-South Africa coach, Pitso Mosimane recently predicted the winner of the 2023 AFCON in Ivory Coast.

The ex-Mamelodi Sundowns tactician also picked Senegal to retain their title but also mentioned Morocco as a possible tournament winner.

"I [will] still go with Senegal; I know the coach and because I know how tactically disciplined they are," Mosimane remarked.