Super Eagles assistant coach Finidi George believes Senegal will win AFCON; names 5 other contenders 

Super Eagles assistant coach Finidi George has predicted that Senegal will win the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations and also listed Morocco, Nigeria, Ivory Coast, Algeria and Cameroon as the contenders for the crown in the event that the Les Lions de la Teranga fail to lift the trophy on February 11, 2024.

George represented the Super Eagles at four Africa Cup of Nations and one of the highlights of his career apart from being a Champions League winner at Ajax Amsterdam was helping Nigeria to win the 1994 AFCON in Tunisia, where he started all the knockout games. 

He totaled 20 appearances at the Africa Cup of Nations and also won the silver medal in 2000 plus bronze medals in 1992 and 2002.

Senegal are in the Group of Death in a group also consisting of Gambia, Cameroon and Guinea; Algeria will face Burkina Faso, Mauritania and Angola in Group D; Morocco will trade tackles with Democratic Republic of Congo, Zambia and Tanzania in Group F.

Nigeria and Ivory Coast are the frontrunners to qualify from a Group A also containing Guinea-Bissau and Equatorial Guinea. 

George explained why he considers Senegal to be the favourites to win a second Africa Cup of Nations in a row and has labeled Morocco an exceptional team. 

On his favourite team to win the 2023 AFCON, George told FilGoal : "I believe that the Senegal national team will defend its title, and I also nominate Morocco due to its recent performance.

"Each of them is exceptional, but you can never know what may happen in the tournament, but these two teams are exceptional due to what they have shown recently.

"One of them is the defending champion and the other has excelled in the World Cup."

He added: "Nigeria cannot be excluded from the nominations as well. There are also Côte d'Ivoire, Algeria and Cameroon.

"There are many teams that can win the title, but for me, I think that Morocco has a chance and Senegal as well."

Nigeria were forced to a 1-1 draw by Equatorial Guinea in their opening game of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations on Sunday, January 14.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel 

Photo Credit: CAF

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