AFCON Preview: Two Past Winners, Two Outsiders, Group D Is Surely Where To Keep Your Focus

The AFCON kicks off in Morocco this Sunday with Group D definitely one of the most anticipated groups of the tournament.

A group boasting two past winners and equally two strong outsiders who’re known to be giant killers on the continent.

Senegal won the AFCON as recently as 2021 when they hosted and won on home soil, the first ever in the history of the West African Nation. It was the perfect trophy for the golden generation of Senegalese stars led by the legendary Aliou Cisse. Despite changing coaches, the Teranga Lions have equally been dominant under the guidance of Pape Thiaw who saw them through a ruthless qualification series. They come into this edition as one of the favourties and are expected to prove why they’re the second highest ranked team in Africa behind only the hosts. Sadio Mane and Imsaila Sarr are expected to provide the firepower upfront while Kalidou Koulibaly and Edouard Mendy keep things tight at the back.

DR Congo are the most successful team in this group with two AFCON titles to their name. Their history in the competition is well documented and they’re one of the most formidable teams on the African continent today. Buoyed by the leadership of coach Sebastien Desabre and a handful of their diaspora stars, The Leopards are on course to prove a point in this year’s tournament having last won the title in 1974. It is going to be a direct clash for top spot against the Teranga Lions and it will be a titanic clash when both teams face off in their second group game. Fiston Mayele is the reigning African footballer of the year based in Africa and is expected to carry the goalscoring responsibilities for Desabre’s side while Chancel Mbemba, Aaron Wan Bissaka and Arthur Masuaku take care of business at the back.

Benin Republic have been redefined under the guidance of Gernot Rohr, a manager who has already achieved a podium finish with the Super Eagles of Nigeria. The Squirrels themselves have reached the quarter finals once in their four previous appearances. In 2019, they defeated powerhouse Morocco by penalties before losing to this year’s group opponents Senegal in the quarter finals. They made history as the first ever team to reach the last eight of the tournament without winning a game in regulation time. They’re still in search of their first ever win in the tournament (barring shootouts) and this year is the best time to pick their first three points. Steve Mounie is the inspirational captain of the team and will be supported by emerging talent Olaitan Junior.

Botswana are no doubt the least rated of the teams in this group. Their second ever appearance following a group stage elimination in 2012. They eliminated World Cup bound Cape Verde on their way to qualifying for this tournament and will be poised to earn their first ever point, or better still, three points of the tournament. South African manager Morena Ramoreboli will lead his team as they go in search of national pride in Morocco.

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Fixtures

Tuesday, December 23

Group D: Senegal vs Botswana, kick-off 5pm – Ibn Batouta Stadium, Tangier

Group D: DR Congo vs Benin, kick-off 7.30pm – Al Barid Stadium, Rabat

Saturday, December 27

Group D: Senegal vs DR Congo, kick-off 5pm – Ibn Batouta Stadium, Tangier

Group D: Benin vs Botswana, kick-off 7.30pm – Prince Moulay Abdellah Olympic Annex Stadium, Rabat

Tuesday, December 30

Group D: Benin vs Senegal, kick-off 7.30pm – Ibn Batouta Stadium, Tangier

Group D: Botswana vs DR Congo, kick-off 7.30pm – Al Barid Stadium, Rabat

Verdict

Senegal should finish top of the group with maximum points. It will be a fight to finish for second spot between Benin Republic and DR Congo with Botswana expected to finish bottom of the group.

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