Group B has two nations making their debut in AFCON
The second group in AFCON has two of the three nations playing the tournament for the first time: Madagascar and Burundi. The top seeded team is the three times champions Nigeria. The fourth team in the group is Guinea. Check our preview of each of these nations below, it might give you some ideas for your Africa Fantasy team!
Nigeria
With three AFCON titles in their record, with the most recent in 2013, Nigeria is always a contender for the glory, with lots of players with European experience.
Qualification
Nigeria won the qualifier Group E, with four victories, a draw and a defeat. They came ahead of South Africa, Libya and Seychelles. Both the draw and the defeat were against South Africa. Nigeria scored 14 goals and conceded 6. Odion Ighalo, with 7 goals in 4 matches, was the top scorer of all the qualifier groups.
Key players
With players like Ighalo, Ndidi, Iwobi, Obi Mikel or Musa, it’s hard to pick a main star in the Nigerian squad. Keep an eye for the youngster Chukwueze, who’s only 20 years old, and plays for La Liga’s Villarreal.
Squad
Goalkeepers: F. Uzoho, I. Ezenwa, D. Akpeyi;
Defenders: K. Omeruo, Ola Aina, A. Shehu, L. Balogun, W. Ekong, C. Awaziem, J. Collins;
Midfielders: Alex Iwobi, H. Onyekuru, M. Simon, O. Etebo, Chukwueze, Obi Mikel, John Ogu, S. Kalu, W. Ndidi;
Attackers: O. Ighalo, Ahmed Musa, V. Osimhen, P. Onuachu.
Guinea
Going to their 12th presence in the AFCON, Guinea come from Pot 2 of the draw and are favorites to go through with Nigeria.
Qualification
Guinea won the Group H of the qualifiers without losing a single match. With three victories and three draws, they came ahead of Ivory Coast, Central African Republic and Rwanda. With an 8–4 goal difference, François Kamano, with 2 goals, was their best scorer.
Key Players
The Champions League winner Naby Keïta is the main star in the Guinean squad, with Bordeaux’s Kamano and Napoli’s Diawara having also an important role.
Squad
Goalkeepers: Aly Keita, I. Koné, N. Yattara;
Defenders: I. Sylla, B. Sankoh, E. Seka, F. Camara, J. Jeanvier, M. Dyrestam, O. Sidibé, S. Falette;
Midfielders: Naby Keïta, F. Kamano, A. Diawara, I. Traoré, I. Cissé, M. Camara, B. Fofana;
Attackers: M. Yattara, I. Sylla, José Kanté, Sory Kaba, B. Koita.
Madagascar
Coming from Pot 3 of the draw, Madagascar is one of the two debutants in this Group. Their chances of going through are slim, but they’ll try an upset.
Qualification
Madagascar qualified with a second place in group A of the qualifiers, behind Senegal and ahead of Equatorial Guinea and Sudan. They won three games, drew one and lost two, with the same amount of goals for and against: eight. Madagascar had a previous qualification round, against São Tomé and Príncipe, winning home and away. They had three players with 3 goals each in the qualifier rounds.
Key players
No big stars in this team. Andriatsima, Andriamahitsinoro and Voavy were the top scorers, so you can go with these if you believe in Madagascar.
Squad
Goalkeepers: J. D. Randrianasolo, M. Adrien, I. Dabo;
Defenders: J. Morel, J. Mombris, Razakanantenaina, R. Métanire, T. Fontaine, M. Gervais, Rambeloson;
Midfielders: Andriamahitsinoro, P. Voavy, A. Abel, I. Amada, L. Nomenjanahary, R. Raveloson, A. Andrianarimanana, D. Caloin, Ilaimaharitra, Rakotoharimalala, Romario Baggio;
Attackers: F. Andriatsima, W. Gros.
Burundi
Another debutant in this group, Burundi have a tough task ahead of them. No one expects big things, which might play in their favor.
Qualification
With a second place behind Mali in Group C, Burundi qualified without losing, despite winning only two matches and drawing the other four. The two victories were against South Sudan. Fiston Abdul-Razak was the top scorer for Burundi, with 6 goals.
Key players
Besides the goal scorer Abdul-Razak, the other striker Saido Berahino is probably the squad’s star and best known player. He plays in England, for Stoke City.
Squad
Goalkeepers: J. Nahimana, Ndikumana, M. Arakaza;
Defenders: Nshimirimana, Nsabiyumwa, Nizigiyimana, O. Ngandu, O. Moussa;
Midfielders: C. Amissi, Bigirimana, S. Nahimana, Duhayindavyi, H. Shabani, Nduwarugira, E. Kamsoba, Sabumukama, F. Mustapha, M. Amissi, P. Kwizera;
Attackers: S. Berahino, F. Abdul-Razak, L. Mavugo, Ndikumana.
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