With the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations set to begin and dozens of Ligue 1 players selected to represent their countries in Côte d’Ivoire, we start previewing the groups in the tournament. Today’s feature focuses on Group F.
Morocco
The Atlas Lions are favorites to win AFCON this year, particularly after securing fourth place at the 2022 FIFA World Cup. They will leverage their recent success as motivation to end the country’s AFCON drought. Morocco, striving to claim their second AFCON trophy, last won the tournament in 1976. Despite coming close in 2004, they narrowly missed out as they lost to host side Tunisia.
Heading into the 2023 edition, Manager Walid Regragui guides a skilled squad featuring players such as Achraf Hakimi from Paris Saint-Germain, along with Azzedine Ounahi and Amine Harit from Olympique de Marseille. Could this be the year they clinch their long-awaited second AFCON trophy?
ARE YOU KIDDING ME, ACHRAF HAKIMI?! 🇲🇦☄️ pic.twitter.com/wFxDYc5lUj
— Ligue 1 English (@Ligue1_ENG) September 24, 2023
DR Congo
The DR Congo have taken part in 19 editions of the AFCON, solidifying its position as one of Africa’s most successful teams. They have won AFCON twice, claiming victory in 1968 as Congo-Kinshasa and in 1974 as Zaire. However, despite their continued participation in the tournament since their two title wins, success has eluded DR Congo in the last forty years.
Their best results since 1974 include securing third place in 1998 and 2015. In this 2023 edition, the Leopards will rely on the defensive skills of various Ligue 1 players to disrupt the opposition, including Montpellier Hérault's Dimitry Bertaud, FC Lorient's Gedeon Kalulu, and Olympique de Marseille's Chancel Mbemba.
Chancel Mbemba - 𝗜𝗡𝗗𝗜𝗦𝗣𝗘𝗡𝗦𝗔𝗕𝗟𝗘 🔩✨
— Olympique de Marseille 🇬🇧 🇺🇸 (@OM_English) June 19, 2023
45 games played 💪
207 balls recovered ⚔️
48 interceptions 🫡
7 goals ⚽️
⚪️🔵 pic.twitter.com/whGd4ICWpi
Tanzania
Tanzania is entering its third Africa Cup of Nations tournament in its history. The team previously participated in the 1980 and 2019 tournaments, failing to advance beyond the group stage. While Morocco is favored to lead the group, can Tanzania secure the second spot?
Zambia
The Copper Bullets will make their first AFCON appearance since 2015. Zambia did not qualify for the tournament’s 2017, 2019, and 2021 editions. However, they have achieved success in previous AFCON events, securing a shock victory in 2012 after defeating Côte d’Ivoire. Additionally, Zambia finished as runners-up in 1994 and 1974 and claimed third place in 1982, 1990, and 1996.
