Defenders: Big names and players to watch at AFCON 2023
We’ve made it past January 3rd, which means all AFCON squads are now final. With nine days until kick-off, we’re focusing on defenders in the second installment of this four-part series.
Big names
Kalidou Koulibaly (Senegal)
After a disappointing year-long spell at Chelsea and a move to Al Hilal, it can be easy to forget the pillar of stability Kalidou Koulibaly was at Napoli.
His importance during Senegal’s 2021 AFCON winning run also cannot be overstated. It was not a coincidence that Senegal’s performances improved when captain Koulibaly returned to the squad in their third game after missing the first two due to contracting coronavirus. This is his chance to remind people of his passing ability, instinctive positioning, and indispensable leadership qualities.
Nayef Aguerd (Morocco)
Morocco is not short on elite defenders, but West Ham’s Nayef Aguerd deserves special attention as the backbone of their defense. His performances were vital to Morocco’s group stage success at the 2022 World Cup. After suffering an injury late in their round of 16 game against Spain, his absence for the rest of the tournament left a clear hole in their back line.
Now, at 27, Aguerd is in the prime of his career and his partnership with captain Romain Saïss is a key reason why Morocco are one of the favourites heading into the tournament.
Serge Aurier (Ivory Coast)
After a rough couple of seasons, the Ivory Coast’s Serge Aurier seemed to be back to his best for Nottingham Forest before a calf injury ruled him out for the past month. The sooner The Elephants captain can get back to match fitness, the better.
Head coach, Jean-Louis Gasset, selected quite a few young defenders with limited major tournament experience, so having Aurier’s experience and talent on the pitch is essential. The veteran heads into his sixth major tournament after making his Ivory Coast senior debut over a decade ago.
Players to watch
Calvin Bassey (Nigeria)
Few are doubting the potency of Nigeria’s star-studded attacking lineup as we approach kick-off, but concerns remain about their defensive foundations. Barring their goalkeeping situation, defense is their biggest area of concern. The question is, can Calvin Bassey step up the way he has for Fulham recently?
The 24-year-old centre-back heads to his first major tournament off a man-of-the-match performance against Arsenal in the Premier League. With 15 caps for Nigeria, Bassey has the foundations of his backline partnerships built. Now it’s time to hope that foundation is strong enough and fully bring his domestic form to the international stage.
Issa Kabore (Burkina Faso)
After being named the Best Young Player at AFCON 2021, Issa Kabore is a safe-bet to perform once again for his country. He played every minute of Burkina Faso’s semi-final run, including three assists, which was joint-most at the tournament. Despite only being 22-years-old, he’s already racked up 32 caps for his country.
Kabore, currently on loan from Manchester City at Luton Town, has made 13 league starts this season. The highlight of which may be his assist in Luton’s impressive draw against Liverpool in November. Kabore will be a big miss for Rob Edwards’ improving side, but another star showing at this year’s AFCON might be enough to finally convince Pep Guardiola he’s ready to fight for his place at City next season.
Evan Ndicka (Ivory Coast)
The Ivory Coast’s back line is filled with exciting, new talent like Ousmane Diamonde and Odilon Kossounou, to name a few. But it’s Evan Ndicka that earns the highlight today. After being linked with what seemed like every big-name club, he made the move from Eintracht Frankfurt to Roma this past summer. This was after five successful seasons that included winning the Europa League and racking up 183 appearances for the club – all before the age of 24.
Ndicka only made his national team debut in September, but already looks to be a key part of head coach Jean-Louis Gasset’s plans. When you watch him play, it’s easy to see why. He’s calm, self-assured, and plays well beyond his 24-years.
The internal debate of which defenders to feature certainly wasn’t easy – and it’s unlikely to get easier as we move further up the pitch. The challenges of choosing only six names shows just how competitive this edition of AFCON is shaping up to be. Up next: Midfielders.
Check out the goalkeepers to watch here.
Feature image credit: AFCON 2021 top scorer Vincent Aboubakar, best player Sadio Mané, and best goalkeeper Édouard Mendy | Photo credit: “Trophée CAN (5)” by Jeanpierrekepseu is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.
