AFCON Reigning Champions Senagal set play off Cote D'Ivoire

AFCON Reigning Champions Senagal set play off Cote D'Ivoire 

By Nancy Atim 

African Cup of Nations (AFCON) reigning champions Senegal face a stern test of character as the tournament kicks off in a few days’ time in Cote D’Ivoire.

The Lions of Terenga come to the championship with huge expectations as they target a successful title defence.

Led by former international Aliou Cisse, Senegal has an array of stars led by Sadio Mane of Saudi Arabian side Al Nassr Sports Club.

Other key players include goalkeeper Edouard Mendy, Fode Ballo Toure, Moussa Niakhate, Idrissa Gueye, Krepin Diatta, Illiman Ndiaye, Nicolas Jackson, and Ismaila Sarr, among others.

Senegal is pooled in group C alongside three other Western African countries Cameroon, Guinea and Gambia.

In group A, hosts Cote D’Ivoire will face off with Nigeria, Equatorial Guinea and Guinea-Bissau.

Record champions Egypt will square up against Ghana, Cape Verde and Mozambique in group B.

Algeria, Burkina Faso, Mauritania and Angola are in group D.

Group E has Tunisia, Mali, South Africa and Namibia.

Another pre-tournament favourite Morocco is pooled in group F alongside Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Zambia and CECAFA region’s only representatives, Tanzania.

The tournament will officially kick off on 13th January and close on 11th February 2024.