AFCON 2023: Group C or The Group of Death?

How many AFCONs do they have?

All-time Top Scorer in AFCON:

Samuel Eto’o with 18 goals in 29 matches, also holding the record for the highest goal-scorer in the history of the African Cup of Nations.
Participated in six editions: 2000, 2002, 2004, 2006, 2008, 2010, making his first AFCON appearance at 19.

Player to watch?

Vincent Aboubakar: The Cameroonian forward is coming off a historic AFCON, breaking records previously thought to be enduring:
- Goals Scored: Roger Milla scored 7 goals in an AFCON edition. Vincent surpassed it by scoring 8 goals, becoming the second-highest scorer for his team in the African Cup of Nations.
- The first Cameroonian in the AFCON to score in more than three consecutive games in the tournament.

How did they perform in the last edition?

In the last AFCON edition (2021), Cameroon topped their group with two wins and a draw, dominating their group without any issues. In the knockout stage, they faced some drama but secured a 2-1 victory against Comoros in the Round of 16. They went on to eliminate Gambia with a 2-0 win in the quarterfinals but were halted in the semifinals after a 0-0 draw against Egypt, losing 3-1 in penalties.

How far have they gone in AFCON?

Guinea hasn't lifted the African Cup of Nations since their debut in the 1970 edition held in Sudan.
They've never reached an AFCON Final; their furthest advancement was achieving the runner-up position in the 1976 AFCON held in Ethiopia.
In 14 AFCON editions, including the upcoming 2023 edition in Ivory Coast, Guinea has been in the group stage six times (1979, 1974, 1980, 1994, 1998, and 2012), reached the Round of 16 twice (2019 and 2021), and made it to the quarterfinals in four editions (2004, 2006, 2008, and 2015).

All-time Top Scorer in AFCON?

The historic top scorer for Guinea in the African Cup of Nations is right winger Pascal Feindouno, with eight goals in 13 matches.
He ranks eighteenth in the all-time goal scorers' list of the AFCON.
Participated in four AFCON editions (2004, 2006, 2008, and 2012).

Player to watch?

Serhou Guirassy: The 27-year-old forward, playing for VfB Stuttgart and the starting forward for Guinea's national team, has had one of the best seasons of his career, scoring 17 goals in 14 Bundesliga matches. Despite only scoring once in the last four games for Guinea, his performance in this crucial tournament will be worth watching.

How did they perform in the last edition?

In the previous AFCON, Guinea was placed in Group B with Senegal, Malawi, and Zimbabwe. They finished second in the group with a total of four points, winning one match, losing one, and drawing one. In the Round of 16, they were eliminated by Gambia in a 1-0 match played at Kouekong Stadium.

How far have they gone in AFCON?

Throughout their history, Gambia has only participated in one AFCON edition, the previous one (Cameron 2021), where surprisingly they reached the Quarterfinals. In Ivory Coast, the Scorpions will aim to go even further.

All-time Top Scorer in AFCON?

Player to watch?

Ablie Jallow: The 25-year-old forward, currently playing for Metz in Ligue 1, is in excellent form. Throughout his national team career, Jallow has scored seven goals in total.

How did they perform in the last edition?

AFCON 2021, held in Cameroon, marked Gambia's debut in the African Cup of Nations. After advancing from the group stage with seven points, the Scorpions faced Guinea in the Round of 16, eliminating them to reach the Quarterfinals. Their journey ended there after being defeated by the host, Cameroon.

How many AFCONs do they have?

The Senegal national team has won one AFCON title, achieved in the previous edition when they faced Egypt in the final of Cameroon 2021.
- Cameroon 2021: Senegal 0-0 (4-2 penalties) Egypt at Paul Biya Stadium in Olembe.
Before this championship, the Lions had reached two finals, the first in 2002, losing to Cameroon, and the second attempt came just before their triumph, losing in the final against Algeria.

All-time Top Scorers in AFCON?

Sadio Mané is Senegal's all-time leading scorer in the AFCON, with eight goals in 18 matches spanning the editions of 2015, 2017, 2019, and 2021.

Player to watch?

Sadio Mané: Undoubtedly the most prestigious and respected player in the team. After shining with Liverpool, winning the Premier League and the Champions League, the 31-year-old attacker is currently teammates with Cristiano Ronaldo at Al Nassr in the Saudi Pro-League. Mané played a crucial role in Senegal's first-ever AFCON victory, scoring three goals.
Currently, Senegal also boasts other great players, including Kalidou Koulibaly, Nicolás Jackson, and Lamine Camara.

How did they perform in the last edition?

The previous AFCON couldn't have ended better for Senegal, as they lifted their first AFCON trophy in Cameroon 2021. They topped their group in Group B; in the Round of 16, they eliminated Cape Verde, followed by a victory against Equatorial Guinea in the Quarterfinals. In the Semifinals, they defeated Burkina Faso and clinched the title by defeating Egypt in penalties (4-2) in the grand final.