Earlier Senegal and Liverpool ahead Alhaji Diouf has neglected Nigeria as a critical contender for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations trophy whereas naming the Lions of Telanga as favorites to win the title in January. PUNCH Sports activities Additional Report.
Senegal, led by Mane, defeated Egypt within the ultimate in Yaoundé final 12 months to win the Africa Cup of Nations for the primary time in 17 makes an attempt.
Three-time Africa Cup of Nations champions Nigeria shall be looking for to repeat as champions in 1980, 1994 and 2013.
The Nigerian Eagles gained the Africa Cup of Nations on dwelling soil in 1980, adopted by Tunisia in 1994 and South Africa in 2013.
Whereas they prevented clashes with North African sides, Jose Peseiro’s facet endured a tough begin to Group A matches towards hosts Ivory Coast, Guinea-Bissau and Equatorial Guinea.
The Eagles will start their bid for a fourth title towards Equatorial Guinea on January 14 earlier than taking over the Elephants at Abidjan’s 60,000-capacity Alassane Ouattara Stadium in probably the most anticipated World Cup group stage occasion one of many competitions.
Ten years on from their final Africa Cup of Nations triumph in South Africa, the Eagles say they’re able to win the Africa Cup of Nations once more in Ivory Coast, adopting the slogan “Let’s do it once more” as their battle cry to win a fourth Africa Cup of Nations early subsequent 12 months. Win the championship.
In the meantime, Diouf, who has made 43 appearances for Senegal, doesn’t imagine Nigeria are among the many favorites to carry the trophy, regardless of their further motivation.
“Senegal is the favorite, however there are outsiders like Morocco and Côte d’Ivoire, and because the recreation goes on some groups will stand out,” Diouf instructed Senegalese outlet African Sports activities Information Document.
“Now it is the administration’s accountability that we gained the Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon and so they did their greatest, however the subsequent Africa Cup of Nations would be the gamers’ accountability. It is their accountability to point out they are not performed but.”
Subsequent 12 months’s African Cup shall be held from January 13 to February 11, 2024.
The host cities are Abidjan, Bouaké, Korhogo, San Pedro and Yamoussoukro.