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The original was posted on /r/soccer by /u/mikears3349 on 2024-01-09 15:48:42.
Group B
Match Schedule:
14 January 17:00 GMT : Egypt - Mozambique (Stade Felix Houphouet Boigny)
14 January 20:00 GMT : Ghana - Cape Verde (Stade Felix Houphouet Boigny)
18 January 20:00 GMT : Egypt - Ghana (Stade Felix Houphouet Boigny)
19 January 14:00 GMT : Cape Verde - Mozambique (Stade Felix Houphouet Boigny)
22 January 20:00 GMT : Mozambique - Ghana (Stade Alassane Ouattara)
22 January 20:00 GMT : Cape Verde - Egypt (Stade Felix Houphouet Boigny)
Egypt:
Credit to u/ComradePoula
Nickname: The Pharaohs
Association: Egyptian Football Association (EFA)
Best AFCON finish: Winners (1957,1959,1986,1998, 2006,2008,2010)
Most caps: Ahmed Hassan (184)
Most goals: Ahmed Hassan (33)
Captain: Mohamed Salah
Coach: Rui Vitória
FIFA rank: 33
The Pharaohs march into this tournament as the runner ups from the last edition, hoping to not only repeat their runs in 2017 and 2022, but to finally break their curse and win their 8th title after a 14 year drought.
While on paper Egypt aren’t the favorites, history has taught us to never count them out in big tournaments. And this year is no different.
The current squad should theoretically be better than last AFCON’s squad. But the public opinion is currently mixed up; with some people predicting an early exit, and others predicting the team to bring it home.
So with that in consideration, let’s look at the starting lineup and what we could expect from them.
Starting lineup
Mohamed El Shenawy - Ahmed Fatouh - Ahmed Hegazi - Mohamed And Almoniem - Omar Kamal - Mohamed El nenny - Marawan Attia - Mohamed Sayed Zizo - Omar Marmoush - Mostafa Mohamed - Mohamed Salah
The only question in the starting lineup is wether Zizo starts or not, but most seem to lean towards him having a starting spot.
Players to watch
Mohamed Salah
Obviously he’s the best player in this team, you didn’t need me to tell you this. But there’s a difference this time around.
So with him now becoming Liverpool’s talisman, it feels like he’s raising everyone’s level instead of playing down to their level.
It’s gonna be an interesting tournament for Salah, who probably believes this is his last chance to finally bring the title home.
Omar Marmoush
Some view him as the heir to Salah’s throne and the next big star in Egyptian football.
Things seem to have finally clicked for Marmoush this season after his move to Eintracht Frankfurt; With 15 goal contributions to his name in 25 matches.
With all eyes on Salah, Marmoush could definitely be the difference maker that Egypt needs to go far in this tournament.
Mohamed Sayed Zizo
If you have never watched Zizo play before, then get ready for a surprise. Zizo is Egypt’s version of Szoboszlai. A dynamic and technical number 8.
Depending on how Egypt lineup, Zizo could potentially be the most important player in the starting lineup. Definitely one to keep an eye on.
Other players to keep an eye on
Mostafa Mohamed, Mohamed El Shenawy and Emam Ashour.
Ghana:
Nickname: The Black Stars
Association: Ghana Football Association (GFA)
Best AFCON Finish: Winners (1963, 1965, 1978, 1982)
Most caps: Andre Ayew (116)
Most goals: Asamoah Gyan (51)
Head coach: Chris Hughton
Captain: Andre ‘Dede’ Ayew
FIFA ranking: 61
It can be argued that the Black Stars have been on a downward spiral ever since their loss on penalties to Ivory Coast in the 2015 AFCON final. However, that spiral has greatly accelerated since the pandemic, and a World Cup qualification over an incompetent Nigeria did nothing but only paper over the cracks. The squad selections for the Black Stars since Kurt Okraku took office as GFA president in 2020 have been very insightful as to the true goals of his presidency, and with Otto Addo preferring to return to his ‘trainer scout’ role at Dortmund following the World Cup, the ‘Black Stars’ have been coached by a Chris Hughton put in office by the government and set up to fail by the GFA. Hughton does not help himself either, his overly cautious player selection and tactics puts him at odds with the media (a big no-no for any Ghanaian coach), places pressure on the players, and allows the likes of Central African Republic and Madagascar to outplay us in our fortress of Kumasi. All of this, in addition to injury concerns regarding several key players means that optimism towards this AFCON in Ghana is extremely low, and the recent controversy over potentially camping in South Africa when Ivory Coast is next door (GFA eventually reverting to Kumasi) further emphasizes the concern over the corruption surrounding the team, and the alienation many fans feel towards the Black Stars as a result.
Predicted starting 11 (4-2-3-1):
Lawrence Ati-Zigi - Alidu Seidu, Daniel Amartey, Alexander Djiku, Gideon Mensah - Baba Iddrisu, Salis Abdul Samed - Inaki Williams, Kudus Mohammed, Jordan Ayew - Antoine Semenyo
Players to watch:
Kudus Mohammed (23, midfielder):
Despite some criticism for some selfish play when in a Black Stars shirt, it is blatantly obvious that the team with and without Kudus is day and night, as the West Ham star has rescued Ghana so many times in his relatively short international career. As he could not participate in the 2021 disaster due to injury this will be Kudus’s first AFCON, and much will depend on Chris Hughton’s ability to get the best out of this precocious talent, something he has struggled with compared to predecessor Otto Addo.
Salis Abdul Samed (23, midfielder):
As Thomas Partey’s fitness issues have restricted him to only 3 appearances with Ghana this year and ruled him out the AFCON, there is a need for another midfielder to step up in his stead. On paper Abdul Samed looks like the ideal candidate, due to his form with impressive French club RC Lens. However Abdul Samed is best as a foil for a more progressive midfielder rather than to be one himself, and this has been blatantly obvious in his performances for the Black Stars this year, performances that he himself has admitted could be much better. As Chris Hughton is likely to stick with his conservative midfield pivots instead of introducing a dynamic player like Majeed Ashimeru, Abdul Samed will need to find the confidence to take a larger role in a Black Stars shirt, like his many predecessors such as Stephen Appiah, Michael Essien and Sulley Muntari.
Inaki Williams (29, winger/striker):
It took 12 appearances for Inaki to score his first goal for the Black Stars: a last minute header in the opening World Cup qualifier against ‘lowly’ Madagascar in Kumasi. Be it the pitches, the tactical setup, or just general pressure, it is obvious Inaki has struggled to replicate his impressive club form for his new national team. With exciting wingers Ernest Nuamah, Osman Bukari, Joseph Paintsil and Fatawu Issahaku all at the door, Jordan Ayew seemingly being a guaranteed starter despite his own issues, and Antoine Semenyo largely looking more impressive upfront, the Inaki experiment may already be on its last legs.
Predicted finish:
Another group stage exit beckons for the Black Stars. It may seem overly pessimistic, but based on our performances over the last year and the fact that Chris Hughton will not last past the tournament, both Cape Verde and Egypt should make light work of us. There is also no guarantee that we will defeat Mozambique in our final game, and if we do so and end up finishing as a best-third place team, a potential clash with Senegal would surely put pay to any hopes of progressing further.
Cabo Verde:
Nickname: Tubarões Azuis (Blue Sharks)
Association: Federação Caboverdiana de Futebol (FCF)
Best AFCON Finish: Quarterfinals (2013)
Most caps: Ryan Mendes (69)
Most goals: Ryan Mendes (15)
Head coach: Bubista
Captain: Vozinha
FIFA ranking: 73
Cape Verde have only qualified for the AFCON 4 times, however in their 3 previous appearances they established themselves as a team not to be underestimated, famously reaching the quarterfinals in their 2013 debut. The island country has a vast diaspora across Europe to draw from, with the midfield and attack in particular being strong. Though the team has been inconsistent under coach Bubista, given the talent in their ranks and the struggles of their opening opponents Ghana, progression from the group stage is more than possible.
Predicted starting 11 (4-3-3):
Vozinha - Steven Moreira, Pico Lopes, Logan Costa, Dylan Tavares - Deroy Duarte,Jamiro Monteiro, João Paulo - Ryan Mendes, Jovane Cabral, Garry Rodrigues
Players to watch
Ryan Mendes (33, winger)
Cape Verde’s talisman, Ryan Mendes has both the most goals and most caps for the national team, and is the sides captain. Capable of playing from both flanks as well as a false 9, the former Lille forward will be key to Cape Verde’s attack.
Roberto “Pico” Lopes (31, defender)
The League of Ireland may not be the pinnacle of club football but Shamrock Rovers defender “Pico” Lopes has established himself as a key player for the Tubarões Azuis, playing every minute of their qualification campaign. Pico was born in Ireland to a Cape Verdean father and a Irish mother, and has come a long way from surprisingly being approached to represent the team via LinkedIn.
Jamiro Monteiro (30, midfielder)
Born in the Netherlands and based in the MLS with San Jose Earthquakes, Monteiro is one of the more…
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