The defending Champion is a favorite to advance in this group
With the defending Champion and five-times winner Cameroon alongside four-times winner Ghana, Benin and Guinea-Bissau will have to be perfect to have a chance in this group. Check our preview of each of these nations below, it might give you some ideas for your Africa Fantasy team!
Cameroon
From Pot 1 comes the winners of last edition, Cameroon. With five titles, the Cameroonians will participate for the 19th time and they want the title again. They have good chances of advancing beyond the group stage.
Qualification
Cameroon qualified with the second place in Group B, with the some points as the group winners Morocco. With three victories, two draws and a defeat (against Morocco), Cameroon scored 6 goals and conceded 3. Choupo-Moting was the best scorer with 2 goals.
Key players
With lots of players coming from European leagues, Cameroon have some well-known names in their squad. Goalkeeper André Onana, striker Choupo-Moting and midfielders Kunde Malong, Bassogog or Clinton N’Jie might good choices for your team.
Squad
Goalkeepers: Onana, Ondoa, Kameni;
Defenders: Oyongo, Ngadeu, Yaya, Fai, Bong, Kana-Biyik, Dawa Tchakonte;
Midfielders: Kunde Malong, Bassogog, N’Jie, Anguissa, Boumal O., Kaptoum, Djoum, Mandjeck;
Attackers: Choupo-Moting, Bahoken, Toko, Tagueu, Zoua.
Ghana
From Pot 2 comes another former winner. Ghana won the AFCON four times, but the last title was in 1982, 37 years ago. They will play the tournament for the 22nd time, being the third nation with more presences.
Qualification
Ghana won the Group F of the qualifiers, which had Sierra Leone disqualified. So they played only four games, losing one to Kenya and winning the other three. They scored 8 goals and conceded only 1. Jordan Ayew and Dwamena were the best scorers, with 2 goals each, but Dwamena won’t be at the AFCON.
Key players
With veteran Asamoah Gyan leading the squad (he has 50 goals for Ghana), there’s good talent in the team: Thomas Partey, André Ayew, Jordan Ayew and Christian Atsu are all used to play in big stages.
Squad
Goalkeepers: Ofori, Annan, Zigi;
Defenders: Kasim, Lumor, Baba, Boye, J. Aidoo, Yiadom, Mensah, Attamah;
Midfielders: A. Ayew, Atsu, M. Wakaso, S. Owusu, Asamoah, Partey, Afriyie, Agyepong, K. Owusu;
Attackers: J. Ayew, A. Gyan, Caleb.
Benin
From Pot 3, Benin plays the AFCON for the 4th time, having never advanced beyond the group stage. Their chances of doing so this year are slim.
Qualification
Benin finished in second place in Group D, behind Algeria and ahead of Gambia and Togo. They won three matches, lost two and drew one, finishing with a negative goal difference of 5–6. Steve Mounié was the top scorer, with 2 goals.
Key players
Despite having lots of players in European Leagues, there’s no big names in this squad. Striker Steve Mounié or the veteran Stéphane Sèssegnon are your best choices.
Squad
Goalkeepers: Farnolle, Allagbé, Kakpo;
Defenders: Kiki, Imorou, Salomon, Adénon, Adilehou, Verdon, Fassinou, Barazé;
Midfielders: Sèssegnon, Djigla, Dossou, Tidjani, Soukou, Adéoti, Mama, Kossi, D’Almeida;
Attackers: Mounié, Poté, D. Sègbè.
Guinea-Bissau
Guinea-Bissau will play the AFCON for the second time in a row, after their debut two years ago. Their chances of advancing are slim.
Qualification
Guinea-Bissau won the Group K of the qualification, ahead of Namibia, Mozambique and Zambia. It was a very tight race, with the four teams winning two matches each. With three draws, Guinea-Bissau finished with 9 points, only 2 above the last placed Zambia. With an 8–7 on goal difference, Frédéric Mendy was the top scorer, with 3 goals.
Key players
With the majority of players coming from various tiers of Portuguese leagues, Guinea-Bissau have a modest team, without International experience. Winger Mama Baldé and striker Mendy, both in the top tier Portuguese League, are your safest bets from Guinea-Bissau.
Squad
Goalkeepers: Jonas Mendes, Rui Dabó, Ivanof;
Defenders: Juary, Mamadu, Nadjack, Nanú, Rudi, Marcelo Djaló, Tomás Dabó;
Midfielders: Mama Baldé, Piqueti, Toni Silva, Zezinho, Moreto, Pelé, Bura, Jorginho, Jaquité, Mané;
Attackers: Mendy, Mendes Jo., Romário.
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