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AFCON 2023: Group F Preview

In the last instalment of the Sports Gazette’s group previews of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, our focus will be on Group F. DR Congo, Morocco, Tanzania, and Zambia face off in a highly competitive group that promises a surprise or two.

Of the four teams in Group F, only Morocco qualified for the previous AFCON, with DR Congo, Tanzania, and Zambia all finishing in third place in their AFCON 2021 qualification groups. Morocco were eventually knocked out by Egypt in the quarter finals of the 2021 edition.

Morocco

Group prediction: 1st

There will be no surprises here. Along with being a tournament favourite, Morocco’s performances at the 2022 FIFA World Cup have shown them to be one of the strongest national teams in the world. They reached the semi-finals of the FIFA World Cup 2022, losing out 2-0 to France. This marked the furthest any African side has ever gone in a World Cup, and was celebrated by not only Moroccans, but Africa as a whole. They also topped their AFCON 2023 qualifying group, but did seem to struggle more than expected losing one of their four matches to South Africa.

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Morocco’s Achraf Hakimi in their qualifying game against South Africa 

Morocco will be strong this AFCON no doubt, but the Atlas Lions haven’t won the tournament since their only victory in 1976, only finishing runners-up once in that time in 2004.

With arguably their best squad to date, this Moroccan side boasts accomplished players like Yassine Bounou, Achraf Hakimi, and Hakim Ziyech, all aiming to secure trophies and solidify their claim as the preeminent African team. Moroccan head coach Walid Regragui has said he wants his team to break “the curse of the African Cup” as he named his 27-man squad for the tournament.

Zambia

Group prediction: 2nd

Zambia are a relatively accomplished side when it comes to AFCON and African football generally. They won the tournament in 2012, beating this years hosts Ivory Coast 8-7 on penalties. They finished runners-up and third place a few times before that, and won the 2023 COSAFA Cup, an annual tournament played between teams in Southern Africa. They also finished top of their AFCON 2023 qualifying group, edging out Ivory Coast on goal difference. They are not to be underestimated.

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Zambia’s starting eleven against Ivory Coast in AFCON 2023 qualifier 

Zambia’s squad isn’t filled with superstar players like Morocco, however their ability to bring the best out of what they’ve got is why they are second in this group preview. Coached by Avram Grant, former Chelsea and West Ham manager, the Chipolopolo (Copper Bullets) will be looking to use his experience, and the experience of standout players such as Patson Daka, to take them as far as possible into the tournament.

They also have a few emerging talents in their ranks including winger Lameck Banda who has impressed for Lecce this season in Serie A, he will definitely be one to watch this AFCON.

DR Congo

Group prediction: 3rd

The Democratic Republic of the Congo, formerly known as Zaire, is also a historically significant team in African football terms. They have been AFCON champions twice, in 1968 and 1974, and traditionally make it far in the competition. However since finishing third in 1998 and 2015, there has been limited success for Les Léopards. 

Despite this, not all hope is lost. A promising qualification campaign combined with a number of Congolese players in good form will have Les Léopards’ fans feeling optimistic.

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DR Congo squad in a penalty shoutout in AFCON 2019

Expectations rest on players like Cédric Bakambu, Grady Diangana, Chancel Mbemba, and Yoane Wissa, among others, to replicate their club-level performances when representing their national team.

On paper DR Congo have some great players to choose from, making it a challenging decision to place them either second or third in the group preview. Ultimately, the decision hinges on slightly weaker recent form in comparison to Zambia, and Les Léopards’ inability over the past two decades to fully capitalise on their high-caliber players.

Tanzania 

Group prediction: 4th

Unlike the rest of the teams in the group, Tanzania have had very little success on the international or continental stage. They qualified for AFCON for the first time in 39 years in 2019, but lost all three of their group games. Their biggest success was a third place finish at the 2017 COSAFA Cup.

Of course nothing is certain in AFCON, and the Taifa Stars will be relying on their senior goal scorers – Simon Msuva and former Aston Villa striker, Mbwana Samatta to provide them with crucial goals, although it will be tough in such a competitive group. Nevertheless, Msuva and Samatta have scored 43 goals between them for the Tanzanian national team

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Mbwana Samatta facing off against Algeria is AFCON 2019

Tanzania will be hoping for an upset this AFCON, and were mildly impressive in their qualification group managing to hold Algeria to a 0-0 draw, contributing to their second place finish in the qualification group.

Starting on January 13, 2024, the tournament kicks off with the hosts, Ivory Coast, facing Guinea-Bissau. We trust that you have found our group previews for this edition of the Africa Cup of Nations enjoyable and informative.

Author

  • Max Flanagan

    21 year old Sports journalist, born and raised in London, predominantly a football writer but is known to dip his toes into the worlds of Tennis and Formula 1. Lifelong Chelsea fan, constantly reminiscing over life before Boehly.

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