EX TV GH People Matter
By: Nutifafa Bequine
The 33rd edition of Africa Cup of Nations is just some few a hours from now and it will gather African football stars, for pride and bragging right.
Before the tournament kicks off, here are some of the stars to watch out for, in Africa’s biggest football tournament.
1. Mohamed Salah Hamed Mahrous Ghaly: He is widely known as Mo Salah among football lovers. Mo Salah is being considered as the world best player at the moment considering his impressive form. He plays as a forward in the English Premier League for Liverpool. The 30 year-old Egyptian will captain the descendants of Pharaoh in this year’s AFCON tournament.
2. Thomas Teye Partey: Partey is a Ghanaian professional player who plays his club football in the English Premier League for Arsenal. He is the most expensive Ghanaian player, after his €50m transfer from Athletic Madrid to Arsenal. He has played twice at the AFCON. With the presence of Andre Ayew, Partey will be the deputy captain to provide leadership to his team mates at this year’s tournament.
3. Riyad Karim Mahrez: Mahrez is Algerian professional player who ply his trade at Manchester City. The Algerian is in a fine form netting 18 goals this season. As captain, he lead his side to lift the Africa Cup of Nations 2019 and will captain his nation to defend the trophy.
4. Sadio Mané: Mané is a Senegalese player and plays as winger for the Liverpool. Mané and his national team finished second at the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations and was adjudged the African footballer of The Year 2020. He’s scored over 100 goals since joining Liverpool and he is looking forward to replicate his fine form Senegal at this year’s AFCON. He will captain the Senegal team in the tournament.
5. Kelechi Promise Ịheanachọ: Iheanacho is a Nigerian who plays his club football for Leicester City in the English Premier League. The 25 year striker was part of the Nigeria’s u-17 FIFA World Cup™ winning team in 2013 where he won the golden ball award for his significant role. He will add to the score of stars that will be gathering to compete.
6. Pierre-Emerick Emiliano François Aubameyang: Aubameyang is a Gabon national team striker and also plays for London side, Arsenal. He is known for his goal scoring prowess, talent and pace. He has played four Africa Cup of Nations already and won the African Footballer of The Year in 2016. Aubameyang is the all time leading goal scorer for Gabon, and will captain his team mates in this year’s AFCON.
7. Sebastien Haller: Haller is the sensational Ivory Coast forward. He plays his club football with Ajax in Netherlands. He is in top scoring form this season. The Ajax star became the first player to score ten goals in six consecutive UEFA Champions League matches. The 27 year-old switched allegiance from France to Ivory Coast after featuring for the French national youths teams. He is expected to boost the attack of the Ivorians in this AFCON tournament.
8. Pierre Kunde Malong: Kunde is a Cameroon national footballer and plays as centre midfielder for Olympiacos in the Greek super league. He is known for his midfield prowess and a promising talent. He has featured in 24 national matches and scored one goal. He will be part of the hosting squad for Cameroon.
9. Achraf Hakimi: Hakimi is a Paris Saint-Germain and Morocco right-wing-back. He is currently being considered as one of the best right backs in the world. He can play at left back as well and score goals when he gets the opportunity. He will be a key player in the defensive set-up of the Moroccan team at this year’s event.
10. Moussa Djenepo: Is a Malian professional footballer and plays as winger for Southampton in the English premier league. The winger featured in 22 matches for the national team and scored 3 goals.
This year’s Africa Cup of Nations kicks off on Sunday, 9 January, 2022 and the first match features the host, Cameroon versus Bukina Faso.
Find below the Groups and full fixtures for the tournament:
Fixtures: Africa Cup Of Nations (AFCON)
(Group A) 👇🏽
9 January: Cameroon vs Burkina Faso
9 January: Ethiopia vs Cape Verde
13 January: Cameroon vs Ethiopia
13 January: Cape Verde vs Burkina Faso
17 January: Cape Verde vs Cameroon17 January: Burkina Faso vs Ethiopia
(Group B) 👇🏽
10 January: Senegal vs Zimbabwe
10 January: Guinea vs Malawi
14 January: Senegal vs Guinea
14 January: Malawi vs Zimbabwe
18 January: Malawi vs Senegal
18 January: Zimbabwe vs Guinea
(Group C) 👇🏽
10 January: Morocco vs Ghana
10 January: Comoros vs Gabon
14 January: Morocco vs Comoros
14 January: Gabon vs Ghana
18 January: Gabon vs Morocco
18 January: Ghana vs Comoros
(Group D) 👇🏽
11 January: Nigeria vs Egypt
11 January: Sudan vs Guinea-Bissau
15 January: Nigeria vs Sudan
15 January: Guinea-Bissau vs Egypt
19 January: Guinea-Bissau vs Nigeria
19 January: Egypt vs Sudan
(Group E) 👇🏽
11 January: Algeria vs Sierra Leone
11 January: Equatorial Guinea vs Ivory Coast
15 January: Ivory Coast vs Sierra Leone
15 January: Algeria vs Equatorial Guinea
19 January: Ivory Coast vs Algeria
19 January: Sierra Leone vs Equatorial Guinea
(Group F) 👇🏽
12 January: Tunisia vs Mali
12 January: Mauritania vs Gambia
16 January: Gambia vs Mali
16 January: Tunisia vs Mauritania
20 January: Gambia vs Tunisia
20 January: Mali vs Mauritania
