darkelf:


Nigeria should be in tenth place

Egypt or Tunisia in 4th and 5th

Apart from that, nice list

Relax ..This isn't the worst we have had in a build up to an AFCON tournament..
Only on a few occasions have we failed to make it to the semi final.. Nothing like we will struggle to make it to the quarters..

You are talking as if the other teams heading to the tournament are better prepared than us.. Some of then have already been hit by covid, injuries and unavailable of key players...

Icon4s:


It is called Pedigree as a football nation. Same thing that makes a country like Italy win tournaments meanwhile teams like Holland, Belgium and England would be struggling from generation to generation.

On paper and current form teams like Senegal, Mali, Ivory coast, Ghana and Morocco might be ahead of Cameroon but I would rather put my money on Cameroon to win it. Not Just because they are the host but because they have proven from generation to generation that they have that tournament winning mentality. They have that Champions pedigree.

True exactly

That's why countries like Egypt,Cameroon and Nigeria should not be written off

Nigeria have always advance semi final more than any other country in Africa I think

Save for 2008 Nigeria have never leave in the round of 16 for over 30 years now

TheSuperNerd:
Truly they are team to beat. No team in Africa presses like the Algerians and they are targeting a world record in terms of the best unbeaten run for an international football team.

Italy holds the record currenly at 37 matches undefeated before they fell to Spain in the Uefa Nations League semis late last year.

Algeria is on 34 games unbeaten. Who says they won't equal it by the end of the 1st round? Shaa, time will always tell.

the unbeaten run is another reason to stay motivated, any team that will beat them will need to be tactically disciplined

minfelix:


Omeruo was one of those that used his real age at the 2009 U17 world cup, that's why he is still lasting and strong for about 13yrs now in the colors of Nigeria another real small boy spotted at the U17 world cup was chidera Eze, during the 2013 WC, e pain me that boy no translate into super eagles
Omeruo is one quiet personality in the eagles fold otherwise he should be a commanding captain in the eagles of today

Omeruo is the most successful player from that set followed by Onazi. The rest jus waka enter forest

komekn:


How did you come to that conclusion ? past history, quality of players, coaching staff, friendly matches etc

Or emotive preference?

Oga go and relax somewhere

komekn:


How did you come to that conclusion ? past history, quality of players, coaching staff, friendly matches etc

Or emotive preference?

Put on you eyeglasses and comprehension cap.. I already stated the criteria...

komekn:


If I look at the team we have presented over the past two decades,I would say on paper this is the weakest.

means you’ve hardly followed the SE at major tournaments, is 2004 a joke to you? A tournament where we expelled our 2 best strikers (Agali, Aiyegbeni) plus one of the best LB (Celestine) in Africa just few days before our first game and didn’t even replace them

komekn:


If I look at the team we have presented over the past two decades,I would say on paper this is the weakest.

Because there's no Ighalo.. lol..

More than half of the players in the team are playing in Europe top 10 league... Since when have we parade a squad with that kind of quality?
Keshi's 2013 squad had players from the NPFL and obscure European leagues..

TheSuperNerd:
Truly they are team to beat. No team in Africa presses like the Algerians and they are targeting a world record in terms of the best unbeaten run for an international football team.

Italy holds the record currenly at 37 matches undefeated before they fell to Spain in the Uefa Nations League semis late last year.

Algeria is on 34 games unbeaten. Who says they won't equal it by the end of the 1st round? Shaa, time will always tell.

Sierra Leone is a stubborn team oh

Meliforme:
So Ghana lost to Algeria by three goals with no reply from Ghana whatsoever, not even a consolation goal.
Hmmm, this is disturbing.

Algeria have never been difficult for us to beat

The last friendly we played it was a Nil difference and I fear Egypt more than them considering our record playing Egypt

I think Nigeria is among the few countries that can stop Algeria if we get to beat Egypt it means we are ready

Danielnino00:


Because there's no Ighalo.. lol..

More than half of the players in the team are playing in Europe top 10 league... Since when have we parade a squad with that kind of quality?
Keshi's 2013 squad had players from the NPFL and obscure European leagues..

I don't understand his mission here

More than half of the starters the last time were playing in their first AFCON unlike now we have Experienced Aina, Ekong, Awaziem,Chuks,Ndidi etc and the others Nacho have grown in age and abilities only God knows what Komekn is talking about even in 2006 afcon team...the bulk of the players were under 20 silver winning team in Netherlands 2005 and we did well still

jihday:
Cameroon at 4 (host nation) Nigeria then Ivory Coast

I've always had the conviction that a large chunk of Cameroon success at the AFCON comes from Issa Hayatou influence as CAF president... I'd like to give them the benefit of doubt this time around...Being the host nation will give them a bigger advantage, but I'll still rate is and CIV above them...

darkelf:


Nigeria should be in tenth place

Egypt or Tunisia in 4th and 5th

Apart from that, nice list

Bro dis is nations cup not world cup ,even if we av just a day for preparation,we would still b among d favorites...I can't remember d last time we really had a bad tourney at d nations cup..aside under Berti vogts where we were ousted at d quarterfinals... DT match self pain me no b small....with one man down,we couldnt defeat d depleted Ghanaian side...vogts tactics was DT terrible

JohnBullMySon:
Omeruo is the most successful player from that set followed by Onazi. The rest jus waka enter forest

Stanley Okoro, Terry Envoh, Sanni Emmanuel, et al .. That team na scam jare..

Thank God for MRI...

Hoping to see us produce more quality ballers from the u-17 programme...

humility33:


I don't understand his mission here

More than half of the starters the last time were playing in their first AFCON unlike now we have Experienced Aina, Ekong, Awaziem,Chuks,Ndidi etc and the others Nacho have grown in age and abilities only God knows what Komekn is talking about even in 2006 afcon team...the bulk of the players were under 20 silver winning team in Netherlands 2005 and we did well still

Leave that one make e dey yarn dust...
As far as the AFCON is considered, we are a powerhouse... We have played more semi final than any other country! Just a few unlucky events here and there... No country can walk over us at the tournament...
I just wish the AFCON can be a bit more organised so countries can have enough time to prepare . not all this wuruwuru we are seeing all the time ..

Algeria this, Algeria that...I won't be shocked of they fail to reach knockout.

komekn:


How did you come to that conclusion ? past history, quality of players, coaching staff, friendly matches etc

Or emotive preference?

What past history are you talking about ?

I will even put naija 3rd up there

When last did Morocco or Senegal won the afcon ?

mostob:
Algeria this, Algeria that...I won't be shocked of they fail to reach knockout.

This is also very possible and one I would be more than happy to witness but based on current form, we have to just give it to them. They are the team to beat but yes, shockers are very much welcome. Hehehehehe

JohnBullMySon:
So only Omeruo and Musa are still surviving from the 2013 squad

Dem don try oh

My guy what do you mean by dem don try ?

None of omeruo and musa are 30 yet

minfelix:


Omeruo was one of those that used his real age at the 2009 U17 world cup, that's why he is still lasting and strong for about 13yrs now in the colors of Nigeria another real small boy spotted at the U17 world cup was chidera Eze, during the 2013 WC, e pain me that boy no translate into super eagles
Omeruo is one quiet personality in the eagles fold otherwise he should be a commanding captain in the eagles of today

If players wey use real age Na people like osimhen chukwueze you suppose Dey talk

Omeruo is not 28 years,many people know this ,just saying respectfully

Meliforme:
So Ghana lost to Algeria by three goals with no reply from Ghana whatsoever, not even a consolation goal.
Hmmm, this is disturbing.

How is it disturbing ,are you a Ghanaian ?

elyte89:


Bro dis is nations cup not world cup ,even if we av just a day for preparation,we would still b among d favorites...I can't remember d last time we really had a bad tourney at d nations cup..aside under Berti vogts where we were ousted at d quarterfinals... DT match self pain me no b small....with one man down,we couldnt defeat d depleted Ghanaian side...vogts tactics was DT terrible

between Oliseh and Vogts I’m confused who I should rank as our worst coach

jihday:
the mentality is ‘we’ve always done it and we can still do it’. Even in year 2000, nobody gave them any chance in that final plus they struggled through the tournament but on the day of the final they played their best game and should have wrapped it up by halftime.

You get it.

ChrisKels:
Hey guys! Am I the only one who doesn't rate Algeria against other top guns like Senegal, Nigeria, Morocco and Ivory Coast?

You are not the only one o

Apart from SA and Zambia this is one of the most complete Afcon, all past winners present all African giant president and also with the introduction of some newbies giant killers comoros, Sierra Leone, Gambia...let the game begin

andrewbaba44:


My guy what do you mean by dem don try ?

None of omeruo and musa are 30 yet

By Naija standards

Danielnino00:

Stanley Okoro, Terry Envoh, Sanni Emmanuel, et al .. That team na scam jare..

Thank God for MRI...

Hoping to see us produce more quality ballers from the u-17 programme...

lol

JohnBullMySon:
By Naija standards

Now you are talking

ChrisKels:
Hey guys! Am I the only one who doesn't rate Algeria against other top guns like Senegal, Nigeria, Morocco and Ivory Coast?

Mr Francophone is here
How your in-laws from Senegal, Mali, Ivory coast and Morocco?


Well, for me, Algeria would be a team to beat but i don't think their 'favorites' tag is absolute like some members here are putting it. I see teams from West Africa coming out strong in this AFCON.

andrewbaba44:



If players wey use real age Na people like osimhen chukwueze you suppose Dey talk

Omeruo is not 28 years,many people know this ,just saying respectfully

Sir,those who know Osimehn and Chuckwueze very well will argue this with you,just let us respect what is on their passport.

Icon4s:


For booker's that really understand the AFCON and have followed the tournament decade after decade, you cannot rate teams to Win the AFCON based only on FIFA ranking and current form. There are some typical AFCON teams, that no matter the strength of the team they present they are always a force to be reckoned with when it comes to the AFCON. Such teams are Egypt, Cameroon and Nigeria. Little wonder that in the last 30 years they have won the AFCON the most.

And there are some teams that would always be rated high based on FIFA ranking and current form but would end up breaking the hearts of their fans: Senegal, Ghana, Morocco, Ivory coast. Algeria belonged to this group until 2019.

I know a lot of people would not fancy a team like Cameroon but I am tipping them as one of the tip favorites to win it. I also rate Nigeria ahead of Senegal and Ivory coast to win this tournament.

You really cannot discount what home support can do for you in a tournament like this.

In looking at teams I put aside emotive Favouritism and look at matters as objectively as possible.

I will start from one proviso, all Francophone teams have an advantage over all Anglophone teams. Cameroon like other Francophone countries have direct acces to the French League and that means a huge pool of talent.

But if we are to look at what gives you an advantage it's always quality players and to have 3 outstanding players through the spine of the team is a great advantage.

Onana Ajax goalkeeper alongside Mendy are probably the best African goalkeeper in the World. You can guarantee Cameroon defense will be birthed from French league one like Castelleto at Nantes to name a few. They also have Anguissa in Midfield NOBODY in our squad can compare to him Dude is very good. They have Ekambi from Lyon, Choupa Bayern M., Aboubakar and Basagog can't be ignored. In all depu they have strength in depth.

They are top favourites in my opinion to get to the Finals.

The SE played a local team from Cameroon
Coton Sport FC de Garouab we beat them 2-0 that's not an inspiring result whatever way you look at it.

Senegal have Mendy, Koulibally and Mane to name three top class if not world class players in their squad, I am sorry we are not better than them on paper.

Cote d'Ivoire are not very good in the goalkeeping department. We are better. But it ends their, defender are Éric Bailly , Willy Boly (Wolves) they are very good.

Midfield they have Kessie , Akpro, Bogarde to name a few. Upfront the top goal scorer in the Eredivisie Haller, who is flanked by Pepe and Zaha.

And you truly believe that we are better than Senegal and Cote d'Ivoire. On paper we are absolutely not.

However, it's football it's a cup competition anything can happen. I will admit that inexplicably for too many years Cote d'Ivoire have the players but never seem to achieve. Could this be the year they do

Nigeria is not a favourite in my opinion , maybe our never say never " Warri no deh carry last " Spirit may take us past the group stage, but winning it very doubtful.

Nonetheless, I'm screaming for Nigeria to win .