6 contenders to be AFCON 2022 winners

Despite speculation that the tournament could be postponed for a third time, the next Africa Cup of Nations finally seems set to get under way on January 9. Set to be hosted in Cameroon amid European clubs pushing for the event to be cancelled, the continent’s elite will be facing off for a month of hotly anticipated action. Here are the leading contenders to be crowned winners of AFCON 2022.

 

6 contenders to be AFCON 2022 winners

 

Egypt

The presence of Mohamed Salah – probably the best player in the world on current form – makes Egypt the team to beat at AFCON. Facing Nigeria in their Group D opener will offer a sign of whether Egypt are ready to win what would be their eighth title in the competition.

Salah’s supporting cast includes Arsenal midfielder Mohamed Elneny, but there is no doubt Egypt’s hopes rest firmly on the shoulders of the Liverpool forward. Egypt were disappointing when they hosted the last tournament and will be looking to lift the trophy for the first time since 2010, having been beaten by Cameroon in the 2017 final.

 

Cameroon

Home advantage places Cameroon among the potential winners of AFCON 2022, with coach Antonio Conceicao having initially named a 40-man squad that will later be trimmed down to 28.

Many of the key players from Cameroon’s triumph back in 2017 are still around, with the likes of Vincent Aboubakar and Christian Bassogog expected to play important roles once again. Goalkeeper Andre Onana is one of Africa’s best, the box-to-box energy of Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa makes him one to watch and Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting should provide the goals.

Cameroon have quality throughout their squad and while there is a lot of pressure on the hosts to deliver, an opening match against Burkina Faso should get them off to a winning start.

 

Algeria

Defending champions Algeria cannot be written off, having caused a surprise in Egypt back in 2019 when a second-minute strike from Baghdad Bounedjah was enough to down Senegal.

Manchester City star Riyad Mahrez is ready to light up the tournament once again and Bounedjah, who plays for Al Sadd of Qatar, has 24 goals in 51 international appearances. Ismael Bennacer of AC Milan is another Algerian to look out for during the tournament.

 

Senegal

Salah’s team-mate Sadio Mane will be aiming to make up for the heartbreak of 2019, with Senegal the big hitters in what should be a reasonably simple Group B.

Chelsea goalkeeper Edouard Mendy should get plenty of protection from Napoli defender Kalidou Koulibaly in front of him.

A strong midfield is likely to feature both Idrissa Gueye and Cheikhou Kouyate while there is plenty of pace from Mane and his fellow speedster Ismaila Sarr. The Lions of Teranga have never been winners of AFCON and will be hoping that 2022 is their year.

 

Ghana

Having featured in two of the past six AFCON finals, Ghana will be expected to be among the strongest teams in Cameroon. The Black Stars are always highly watchable and the presence of the Ayew brothers – Jordan and Andre – provides the stardust in attack for Milovan Rajevac’s side.

Arsenal’s midfielder Thomas Partey should be one of the stars of the tournament but Ghana will be without Mohammed Kudus after the Ajax starlet was ruled out due to injury. Rajevac has been handed a further blow with the news that Southampton defender Mohammed Salisu, expected to be a mainstay of their back line, has reportedly rejected a call-up.

 

Ivory Coast

The 2015 winners do not have their strongest ever AFCON squad, but there is enough quality to ensure they will pose a major threat in Cameroon 2022.

Sebastien Haller, who hit 10 goals in the group stage of the Champions League for Ajax this year, should lead the line with support from the likes of Arsenal winger Nicolas Pepe.

Coach  Patrice Beaumelle will look to steer Ivory Coast through Group E, where they will come up against holders Algeria as well as Equatorial Guinea and Sierra Leone.

Maxwel Cornet has been in fine form for Burnley this season and should continue to impress at AFCON, while other Ivory Coast players to look out for include Franck Kessie, who is out of contract at AC Milan next summer and could use the tournament as a chance to shine.

 

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