AFCON 2023: Who joins Senegal on plane to Ivory Coast

Senegal captain Kalidou Koulibaly kisses the AFCON trophy before leading celebrations after winning the 2021 edition held in Cameroon | Photo Credit: Courtesy

FOOTBALL AFCON 2023: Who joins Senegal on plane to Ivory Coast

Shafic Kiyaga 13:06 - 13.09.2023

The confirmed lineup of qualified teams is nothing short of impressive, featuring defending champions Senegal, who will be favourites to defend their crown.

Cameroon and Namibia have successfully secured their places, completing the roster of 24 qualified teams for the Africa Cup of Nations [AFCON 2023] in Ivory Coast next year.

The two nations were the last to confirm their AFCON 2023 qualification, bringing an end to a series of qualifiers that saw all 54 African nations battle for their coveted spots in the showpiece.

Five-time AFCON champions, Cameroon, delivered a commanding performance by defeating Burundi 3-0 in a decisive match held in Garoua.

The goals that sealed their victory came courtesy of Bryan Mbuemo, Christopher Wooh, and Vincent Aboubakar.

Cameroon players celebrate their qualification to the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations [AFCON 2023]
Cameroon players celebrate their qualification to the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations | CAF

With this triumph, the Indomitable Lions not only secured their own place in the tournament but also clinched the top spot in Group C.

Namibia, on the other hand, finished as the runner-up in Group C, guaranteeing them a place in the continental showpiece set to unfold in January-February 2024.

The confirmed lineup of qualified teams is nothing short of impressive, featuring defending champions Senegal, who will be favourites to defend their crown.

Sadio Mane in action for Senegal during the AFCON 2023 qualifiers
Sadio Mane in action for Senegal

Record African champions Egypt will also be gunning for a record extending eighth AFCON crown, and first since 2010 – victory which confirmed a three peat of continental titles.

The Paharoah will be competing at their 27th AFCON edition and will look to better their runners up finish in Cameroon 2021.

FIFA World Cup semi-finalist Morocco will be another favourite in West Africa. The Atlas Lions have won the tournament only once in 1976.

AFCON 2023
Morocco players celebrate a goal at the 2022 FIFA World Cup, Qatar | Photo Credit: IMAGO [NurPhoto]

They have not reached the semi-finals of the tournament in 20 years since finishing runners up in 2004.

Tunisia, African champions in 2004, and semi-finalists in 2019 will also be chasing their second continental crown.

Incredibly, they have qualified for every AFCON tournament since 1994, and have reached the last eight of each tournament since 2015.

Three time winners Nigeria will also be among the hot favourites in Ivory Coast as they aim to reclaim glory they last achieved in 2013.

Victor Osimhen and Taiwo Awoniyi of Nigeria battle Sao Tome defenders during the 2023 African Cup Of Nations Qualifiers (AFCON 2023) match between Nigeria Vs Sao Tome And Principe at Godswill Akpabio International Stadium
Victor Osimhen and Taiwo Awoniyi of Nigeria battle Sao Tome defenders during the 2023 African Cup Of Nations Qualifiers (AFCON) match between Nigeria Vs Sao Tome And Principe at Godswill Akpabio International Stadium

Neighbours Ghana will hope they can get the monkey off their back and finally have their hands on the trophy which has eluded them since 1982.

They have finished as runners up on five occasions, the most of any nation in history, including a run of semi-final disappointments between 2008 and 2017. They did not progress past the group stages in 2021 though.

Tanzania will be the only East African nation at the 2023 AFCON finals, achieving their third qualification in history at the expense of neighbours Uganda.

Tanzania Taifa Stars celebrate their victory over Uganda in the 2023 AFCON qualifiers [AFCON 2023] at the Suez Canal Stadium in Egypt | photo credit: TFF
Tanzania Taifa Stars celebrate their victory over Uganda in the 2023 AFCON qualifiers at the Suez Canal Stadium in Egypt | photo credit: TFF

Unlike the previous edition, there will be no debutants in the tournament, as Gambia will be making their second appearance at the AFCON.

However, the potential for surprises looms large, as underdog teams like Cape Verde, Guinea-Bissau, and Equatorial Guinea seek to make their mark against the big names at AFCON 2023.

Below are countries that have qualified for AFCON 2023 in alphabetical order: 
Algeria, Angola, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Cote d'Ivoire (Hosts), DR Congo, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Mali, Mauritania, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, Senegal (Defending Champions), South Africa, Tanzania, Tunisia, Zambia

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