Who will lift the 2023 African Cup of Nations?
The 2023 African Cup of Nations kicked off on January 13 in Ivory Coast. The 34th edition of the biennial African association football tournament is organized by Confederation of African Football. It features 24 teams. Senegal are the defending champions having taken the cup in 2021.
Although not as popular as the Premier League in Uganda, Afcon is seen by many youth in Uganda as another exciting football gala where they hope to see their premier league stars shine. Youth Blitz sounded out some of them for their prediction on who will lift the trophy come February 11 at the Alassane Ouattara Stadium, Abidjan.
Ronald Kawalya, 33, teacher
Ivory Coast being the hosts stand a good chance of taking the trophy. Although this team is not as strong as the one of the Didier Drogba and Yaya Toure, stars like Nicolas Pepe who used to play for Arsenal and Hassane Kamara who plays for Udinese. I think they will win it
Simon Peter Ejakait, 27, carpenter
I put my money on Cameroon to take it. I know they are in a tough group which has Senegal, the defending champions but somehow Cameroon knows how to win tournaments. I don’t know many of their players apart from Manchester United’s goalkeeper Andre Onana but I know they play well as a team.
Nulu Nabawanga, 31, businesswoman
I will give it to Ghana even if they are in a difficult group that has Egypt. Ghana has a number of good players like Mohammed Kudus of West Ham and Jordan Ayew of Crystal Palace. There is also Antoine Semenyo of Bournemouth. So they have what it takes to win the trophy.
Serin Nagujja, 28, journalist
Mohammed Salah’s Egypt will be crowned champions. They were unlucky to lose to Senegal in the finals on penalties at the last edition but I think no team plays better football than Egypt. They play like European nations and have that crisp passing game.
Fred Masiko, 31, videohall operator
I think Morocco will take this one. In my view they are the most in form African country. Remember they reached the semis of the World Cup in Qatar and most of their key players like Hakim Ziyech and Amrabat are there. I fancy them to win this one hands down.
Mustapha Kalyango, 24, bodaboda rider
You can’t rule out Nigeria who I think have the best striker in Africa if not the world, Napoli’s Victor Osimhen and Leicester’s Kelechi Iheanacho. Overall, I think they are a very solid team that will give anybody a run for their money on their day.
Irene Tumwesige, 26, market vendor
Senegal the defending champions will retain the trophy. They have Sadio Mane and Ismailia Sarr upfront, two of the deadliest strikers in the world. They are have the bulk of their team that won in 2021 meaning there is still some cohesion. They are a tough team to beat
