This is an automated archive made by the Lemmit Bot.
The original was posted on /r/soccer by /u/mikears3349 on 2024-01-10 15:48:53.
Group D
Match Schedule:
15 January 20:00 GMT : Algeria - Angola (Stade de la Paix, Bouaké)
16 January 14:00 GMT : Burkina Faso - Mauritania (Stade de la Paix, Bouaké)
20 January 14:00 GMT : Algeria - Burkina Faso (Stade de la Paix, Bouaké)
20 January 27:00 GMT : Mauritania - Angola (Stade de la Paix, Bouaké)
23 January 17:00 GMT : Angola - Burkina Faso (Stade de la Paix, Bouaké)
23 January 17:00 GMT : Mauritania - Angola (Stade Charles Konan Banny, Yamoussoukro)
Algeria
Credit to u/oussa
Nickname: Les Fennecs (The Fennec foxes)
Association: Fédération Algérienne de Football, FAF
Best AFCON finish: Winners (1990, 2019)
Most caps: Lakhdar Belloumi (100)
Most goals:Islam Slimani (44)
Captain: Riyad Mahrez
Coach: Djamel Belmadi
FIFA rank: 30
This AFCON represents a crossroads for the Algerian national team, on its way to build back up from painfully failing to qualify for the 2022 World Cup heading to 2026. It contains important elements that won the 2019 edition, as well as a new generation of players that is supposed to replace the old guard. Even so, there is still a reliance on the aging core that won in 2019. The Algerian federation has attracted new talent from the Europe based diaspora to relieve the 2019 core, but these players still need some time to perform fully.
Qualification was fairly smooth with five wins and a draw, but that hides the problems of a team that has gotten used to out-talent its opponents, instead of outplaying them. The on-field play has been lackluster to say the least, with manager Belmadi facing increasing criticism. Even though he signed on until the 2026 World Cup, another early exit could spell the end to his lead of the national team.
Predicted starting eleven (4-3-3):
Mandrea - Ait Nouri, Bensebaini, Mandi, Atal - Bennacer, Zerrouki, Chaibi - Belaili, Bounedjah, Mahrez
Players to watch
Mohamed Amoura (23 years old, Forward, Union Saint Gilloise)
Mohamed Amoura is halfway through what can be considered as his breakthrough season. Following 2 years at Lugano in Switzerland, he made the transfer to Union Saint Gilloise in Belgium and has hit the ground running. Scoring 13 goals in the League so far, and attracting attention in the Europa League. Without doubt our most in form player at the moment. The only problem is that he will miss the opening game against Angola due to suspension.
Youcef Belaili (31 years old, Forward, MC Alger)
Which is where Youcef Belaili comes in. The enigmatic winger, blessed with a lot of talent but also with a lot of demons, has returned to the Algerian Ligue 1 to regain his place in the squad. Belaili’s inclusion in the squad is controversial. Many feel that a player of his talent should have done way more with his ability, instead of being back in Algeria at 31 years already. The man who had his career derailed by a doping ban and lack of discipline faces his final chance at redemption this year, where he can probably count on a starting spot for the first match.
Fares Chaibi (21 years old, midfielder, Eintracht Frankfurt)
Fares Chaibi is one of the more promising youngsters in the team. The Frankfurt midfielder has shown great things last season at Toulouse where he helped his team win the Coupe de France, eventually earning him a move to the Bundesliga. This year he has been playing well in a young Frankfurt side, in both the Bundesliga and the Conference league. Based on the last games with Algeria I can see him getting a spot in the starting eleven in midfield. His creativity and goal scoring from midfield could help the team break down opposing defenses.
Predicted finish
I don’t think we have what it takes to win the tournament. This team is in the middle of a rebuild and currently doesn’t look like it has the cohesion, style and grit needed to get far in the tournament, much less win it. Too vulnerable in defense and too stale in attack. I expect a round of 16 exit.
Burkina Faso
Nickname: Les Étalons (The Stallions)
Association: Fédération Burkinabé de Football, FBF
Best AFCON finish: Runners-up (2012)
Most caps: Charles Kaboré (102)
Most goals: Moumouni Dagano (34)
Captain: Bertrand Traoré
Coach: Hubert Velud
FIFA rank: 57
The perennial dark horses of African football, Burkina Faso have been underestimated to the peril of many in the past. While inconsistent under former Sudan coach Hubert Velud, and lacking depth in some areas, the Burkinabé still possess some of the top African talents, and as shown in the previous AFCON, can go toe to toe with any team on the continent. After playing away from home for 2 years due to the national stadium not meeting CAF regulations, Les Étalons will be able to count on the support of their millions-strong diaspora in Ivory Coast for the tournament, and will quietly fancy their chances of finally winning it all.
Predicted starting 11 (4-3-3):
Hervé Koffi - Issa Kaboré, Issoufou Dayo, Edmond Tapsoba, Abdoul Guiebre - Ismahila Ouédraogo , Gustavo Sangaré, Ibrahim Blati Touré - Bertrand Traoré, Mohamed Konaté, Dango Ouattara
Players to watch
Bertrand Traoré (28, forward)
The recent history of Burkinabe football has been defined by a family of Traorés: Alain the diminutive number 10, Bertrand the tricky winger, and Lassina the physical striker. With Alain’s time with the national team having past and Lassina struggling with injury, Bertrand will shoulder much of the attacking responsibility in Ivory Coast. This season has been difficult for the Burkina Faso captain due to his own fitness struggles, but he was able to return for the opening World Cup qualifiers, and on his day he is a true difference maker with a wand of a left foot.
Edmond Tapsoba (24, defender)
Born in the capital Ouagadougou, Tapsoba began playing on the streets of the capital before being noticed by prolific academy Salitas. After time in the Burkinabe top flight and Portuguese second division side Leixoes, he was discovered by Vitória Guimarães, quickly making an impression in the Portuguese topflight before being snapped up by Bayer Leverkusen. The centre-back has gone from strength to strength with the German side, becoming a true star for club and country. Tapsoba even takes penalties at times for the national team, and will form a strong defensive partnership with experienced Morocco-based Issoufou Dayo.
Ibrahim Blati Toure (29, midfielder)
Born in the northern Ivorian city of Bouaké where Group D will be based, Blati Touré was one of the revelations of the previous AFCON, winning man of the match 3 times during Burkina’s run to the semifinals, being named in the team of the tournament, and being on the extended shortlist for CAF Men’s Player of the Year. An excellent defensive midfielder with an eye for a long-range pass, Blati Touré had a journeyman career through Spain, France, and Finland, before his AFCON heroics earned him a contract with Egypt nouveau-riche Pyramids FC. Expect the midfielder to be key to Les Étalons’ hopes once again.
Predicted finish
Burkina Faso will be essentially playing at home the whole tournament, and if Bertrand Traore and Dango Ouattara can overcome their fitness issues Les Étalons will be a serious dark horse once again. If they can top the group I believe they can defeat the 3rd place team in the Round of 16 and whoever knocks out Nigeria in the quarterfinal, meaning a 3rd semifinal in 4 tournaments for Burkina Faso.
Mauritania
Nickname: Al-Murabitun (الْمُرَابِطُون)
Association: Fédération de Football de la République Islamique de la Mauritanie, FFRIM
Best AFCON finish: Group stage (2019, 2021, 2023)
Most caps: Souleymane Diallo (76)
Most goals: Bessam (13)
Captain: Aly Abeid
Coach: Amir Abdou
FIFA rank: 105
Mauritania are another ‘minnow’ that have recently risen to prominence, qualifying for their third straight AFCON by controversially finishing second behind DR Congo in their group (losing first place due to fielding an ineligible player). The Mauritanian federation have put their FIFA delegated money to good use by building training centers and pitches across the country, and the work started by experienced French coach Corentin Martins has been continued since 2022 by Comoros hero Amir Abdou, who led the island country’s impressive debut run in the previous AFCON. Mauritania will be a difficult opponent in the group, and will look to finally go one step further and progress to the knockouts.
Predicted starting 11 (4-4-2):
Babacar Niasse - Ibrahima Keita, Mohamed Dellahi Yali, Bakary N’Diaye, Aly Abeid - Hemeya Tanjy , El-Hadji Ba, Guessouma Fofana, Aboubakary Koita - Souleymane Anne, Aboubakar Kamara
Players to watch:
Aboubakar Kamara (28, striker)
Fulham’s former “AK-47,” Kamara has been key for Mauritania since he declared in 2021, scoring 7 goals in 18 matches. Now in Abu Dhabi with Al-Jazira the physical striker has struggled greatly for gametime this season, but he was included in Mauritania’s final squad for the tournament and will likely have an important role to play for his country.
Aboubakary Koita (25, winger)
Perhaps Mauritania’s star player, Koita was born in Senegal to a Mauritanian father and a Senegalese mother, and grew up in Belgium.
He has been one of the most impactful attackers in the Belgian top flight this season, and declared for Mauritania in October of this year after being ignored by Senega…
Content cut off. Read original on old.reddit.com/…/africa_cup_of_nations_2023_previ…