AFCON 2023 Group A guide: Ivory Coast’s quest to host and win, Nigeria’s stars look to shine

Victor Atsu Tamakloe January 10, 2024

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The 2023 African Cup of Nations is nearly upon us and Asaase sports previews all the 6 groups in the tournament.

With Senegal looking to defend their title, the 24-team format means the top two from each group will progress to the knockout stages, with the four best third-placed sides joining them.

We will highlight things to keep an eye on from all the 24 nations competing in Cote d’Ivoire.

So let’s start with Group A, which features the top 25 FIFA-ranked nations in Africa, Cote d’Ivoire, Nigeria, Equatorial Guinea and Guinea-Bissau.

Cote d’Ivoire

The 2015 winners are hosting the tournament for the second time.

The Elephants of Ivory Coast participated in the qualifiers despite the team being guaranteed a spot in the finals, which meant only the best-ranked team within their group apart from Ivory Coast qualified for the finals.

The Ivory Coast matches and results counted in determining the qualification of the other teams from their group.

Manager: Jean-Louis Gasset(France)
Captain: Serge Aurier
Qualifying record:W4, D1,L1,GF9,GA5
2021 AFCON: Round 16
Most caps in squad: Serge Aurier(88)
Average age in squad: 26years.7months
Top scorer in squad: Max Gradel(17)

Key Players

The two-time champions have a star-starded side including; Sebastien Haller (Borussia Dortmund, Germany), Wilfred Zaha(Galatasaray, Turkey), Frank Kessie(Al Ahli, Saudi Arabia), Simon Adingra(Brighton, England), and Serge Aurier(Nottingham Forest).

Nottingham Forest’s midfielder Ibrahim Sangare was the starman in the qualifiers, scoring 6 goals and 1 assist for the 2015 champions.

The hosts have been drawn with three-time winners Nigeria, Guinea Bissau, and Equatorial Guinea, who pulled off a couple of upsets to reach the quarter-finals last time out.

Guinea-Bissau

Guinea-Bissau are aiming to progress from the group stage for the first time, as they make their fourth appearance since 2017.

The Djurtus finished second in their qualifying group behind Nigeria with 13 points, winning 4, drawing 1, and losing 1.

Manager: Baciro Conde(Guinea Bissau)
Captain: Jonas Mendes (Kalamata, Greece).
Qualifying record: W4,D1,L1,GF11,GA5
2021 AFCON: Group stage
Average age of squad:25 years
Top scorer in squad: Zinho Gano(5)
Most caps in squad: Jonas Mendes(56)

Key Players

30-year-old Zinho Gano who plays for Belgian side Zulte Waregem led the charge scoring three goals in the qualifiers.

Olympic Lyon’s Mama Balde also scored one goal for Basiru Cande’s side. Other key players include Siro Mane(Academico Viseu FC, Portugal) and Jonas Mendes-GK, Janio Bikel(Gaziantep FK).

Nigeria

Three-time champions, Nigeria have appeared in the finals of the AFCON on 20 occasions.

The 2013 champions Nigeria exited in the last 16 in Cameroon and there’s more pressure on Jose Peseiro’s team after their poor start to the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.

In the AFCON, qualifiers the Super Eagles were outstanding. They finished as group winners on 15 points losing just one game and the highest goals scored(22) in the qualifiers.

Manager:Jose Peseiro(Portugal)
Captain: Moses Simon(Nantes, France)
Qualifying record:W5,D0,L1,GF22,GA4
2021 AFCON: Round 16
Average age of squad:26years, 5 months
Top scorer in squad: Victor Osimhen(20)
Most caps in squad: Ahmed Musa(108)

Key Players

Africa’s best player Victor Osimhen was the top scorer in the qualifiers with 10 goals. The Super Eagles have a lot of strength in the attack with the likes of Taiwo Awoni(Nottingham Forest, England), Kelechi Iheanacho(Leicester City, England), Ademola Lookman(Atalanta), Samuel Chukweze(AC Milan, Italy).

Nigeria will begin their campaign in Ivory Coast against Equatorial Guinea who placed fourth in 2015.

Equatorial Guinea

Equatorial Guinea are making their fourth appearance at the tournament since 2012.

Joan Micha’s side finished the qualifiers behind Morocco just on an 8-goal difference after both teams recorded 13 points each.

The Elephants scored 9 goals in their 4 wins, 1 draw, and 1 defeat but conceded 7 goals.

Manager:Joan Micha(Equatorial Guinea)
Captain: Emilio Nsue (Inter City, Spain)
Qualifying record:W4, D1,L1,GF9,GA7
2021 AFCON: Quarterfinals
Average age of squad:24years, 7 months
Top scorer in squad:Emilio Nsue(17)
Most caps in squad: Federico Bikoro (46)

Key Players

Federico Bikoro(Club Africain) contributed to 3 goals in the qualifiers with 2 goals and 1 assist. The veteran striker 34-year-old striker Emilio Nsue also scored 2 goals in 6 games for the side. The other players to keep an eye on are Jose Elo(CDA Navalcanero, Spain), Josete Miranda (Niki Volos, Greece), and Charles Ondo (Huddersfield Town, England).