Only less than a month remains until the 34th edition of the Africa Cup of Nations kicks off in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, on January 13.
The Teranga Lions of Senegal are the odds-on favourites to retain the AfCON title. However, they will face stiff competition from the likes of Morocco, Algeria, Egypt, Nigeria, Cameroon, and Ivory Coast.
Also, there are a number of teams flying under the radar that have the potential to upset the favourites and win the 2023 African Cup of Nations title.
BolaNews presents the list of dark horses for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations tournament, slated for next month.
MALI
The Eagles proved formidable during AFCON qualification, securing 15 points out of a possible 18 in Group G. Mali will be out to win their first ever AFCON title, which they came closest to attaining in 2012 and 2013 when they attained back-to-back bronze.
SOUTH AFRICA
Having not won the AfCON since 1996, the Bafana Bafana are now showing signs of returning to their peak. Hugo Broos’ side went 12 games unbeaten before suffering a shock defeat to Rwanda in the FIFA World Cup qualifiers last month.
ZAMBIA
The Chipolopolo brought an end to their eight-year drought at the AFCON by finishing at the summit of Group H of the qualifiers. The 2023 AFCON hosts, Ivory Coast, fell victim to the Copper Bullets’ clinic in June, succumbing to a 3-0 defeat in their visit to Zambia.
AfCON defenders will have to be worried about Zambia’s relentless front three of Patson Daka, Fashion Sakala, and Lameck Banda.
DR. CONGO
Pitted against two previous AfCON winners in Morocco and Zambia, the Leopards will need to take their A-game to Ivory Coast. However, DR. Congo is the most decorated nation in Group F, having won the AFCON in 1968 and 1974, defeating Zambia in the latter’s final.
READ ALSO: Regragui makes AfCON title claim ahead of clash with Zambia.
BURKINA FASO
The Stallions have come close to winning the AfCON in the last decade, finishing 2nd, 3rd, and 4th in 2013, 2017, and 2021, respectively. They will be looking forward to making the final in Abidjan, a city that produced one of their country’s most iconic players, Aristide Bancé.
