Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2021 preview: Group E

AFCON 2021 Group E preview

Defending champions Algeria in Afcon 2021 group E preview, Ivory Coast, Sierra Leone and Equatorial Guinea will contest in Group C, with the matches set to be staged at the Japoma Stadium in Douala.

Here is a preview of what to expect in the group.

ALGERIA

Algeria celebrate after winning the 2019 Cup of Nations

AFCON appearances – 19

Titles won – Two

Head coach – Djabel Belmadi

The defending champions come in to Cameroon with an enviable run of 34 unbeaten matches and if they avoid defeat in four matches, meaning a place in the quarter finals, then they will set a world record of the longest unbeaten run in the history of football.

Coming into the tournament, the Algerians are still favourites to clinch the title. The arrival of Djabel Belmadi at the team in 2019 was a masterstroke as he hugely transformed the squad, turning them to winners as he guided them to their first AFCON title since 1990.

Belmadi, a tough disciplinarian, broke the egos in the team and brought in a lot of harmony, one of the reasons pointed out for their successful run in 2019.

And now, he hopes to defend the crown he won and once again lift Les Fennecs to the top of the African pyramid.

The Algerians qualified to the tournament top of Group H with 14 points off four wins and two draws. They only dropped points in away trips to Zimbabwe and Zambia, both high scoring draws.

They scored 19 goals, the most by far, in qualification. Only Nigeria and Tunisia who both scored 14 goals came close.

Heading in to the tournament, they will once again come in with the strength of teamwork, but the individual brilliance cannot be overlooked. Manchester City’s Riyad Mahrez has always been a star of the side and skippering his country, always turns up.

Also set to be a vital cog of the Algerian unit is midfielder Youcef Bellaili whose anchoring in the middle of the pack has given the team attacking freedom.

Islam Silimani, Algeria’s all-time top scorer with 40 goals is also expected to be vital for the team and so well Said Benrahma who had picked up good form with West Ham in the English Premier League.

Algeria squad:

Goalkeepers: Rais M’Bolhi (Ettifaq, Saudi Arabia), Alexandre Oukidja (Metz, France), Moustapha Zeghba (Damac, Saudi Arabia).

Defenders: Djameleddine Benlamri (Qatar SC, Qatar), Aissa Mandi (Villareal, Spain), Mohamed Amine Tougai, Ilyes Chetti, Abdelkader Bedrane (all Esperance, Tunisia), Ramy Bensebaini (Borussia Mönchengladbach, Germany), Youcef Atal (Nice, France), Houcine Benayada (Etoile du Sahel, Tunisia), Mohamed Reda Halaimia (Beerschot, Belgium), Mehdi Tahrat (Al Gharafa, Qatar)

Midfielders: Ismael Bennacer (AC Milan, Italy), Ramiz Zerrouki (FC Twente, Netherlands), Adem Zorgane (Charleroi, Belgium), Haris Belkebla (Brest, France), Sofiane Feghouli (Galatasaray, Turkey), Sofiane Bendebka (Al Fateh, Saudi Arabia).

Forwards: Riyad Mahrez (Manchester City, England), Adam Ounas (Napoli, Italy), Youcef Belaïli (Unattached), Said Benrahma (West Ham United, England), Yacine Brahimi (Al Rayyan, Qatar), Farid Boulaya (Metz, France), Islam Slimani (Lyon, France), Baghdad Bounedjah (Al Sadd, Qatar), Mohamed Amine Amoura (Lugano, Switzerland).

IVORY COAST

Ivory Coast players during a past training session

AFCON appearances – 24

Titles won –Two

Head coach – Patrice Beaumelle

Since winning their second African title in 2015 with a post-match penalty victory over Ghana, Les Elephants have struggled to get back to the top of the African football food chain. They come into the Africa Cup of Nations still hurting after missing the last round of qualification for the 2022 World Cup and will look to make amends.

Cameroon offers memories of that loss to the hosts and playing in Douala, they will want to make things right this time round.

At the 2019 AFCON in Egypt, Ivory Coast reached the quarter finals where they were eliminated by Algeria on penalties. Once again, they are drawn with the North Africans in the same pool.

In 2019, they finished second in their group and went on to beat Mali 1-0 in the round of 16 before their journey ended at the feet of Algeria.

In qualifying for the 2021 delayed showpiece, Ivory Coast finished top of Group K with 13 points from four wins, a draw and a loss. Their only defeat was a surprise 2-1 defeat at the hands of Ethiopia in Bahir Dar.

Heading in to this year’s tournament, head coach Beaumelle is under pressure to bring back the glory to the West African country.

Among the players who will be looked upon to deliver for the Ivorians include Crystal Palace winger Wilfred Zaha and Ajax striker Sebastian Haller.

Haller has had a good start to the season with Ajax and is currently the top scorer in the UEFA Champions League. His prowess infront of goal will be vital for the Ivorians as they look to make a good tournament.

Another player set to be a significant cog of the team is midfielder Franck Kessie. The AC Milan man is not only good with providing defensive shield for the back for in midfield, but also does well moving forward, having scored thrice in qualification.

Ivory Coast squad

Goalkeepers: Sylvain Gbohouo (Wolkite Ketema, Ethiopia), Badra Ali Sangare (JDR Stars, South Africa), Abdoul Karim Cisse (Asec Mimosas, Ivory Coast), Ira Eliezer Tape (San Pedro, Ivory Coast).

Defenders: Serge Aurier (Villarreal, Spain), Eric Bailly (Manchester United, England), Willy Boly (Wolverhampton Wanderers, England), Wilfried Kanon (Pyramids, Egypt), Odilon Kossounou (Bayer Leverkusen, Germany), Simon Deli (Adana Demirspor, Turkey), Ghislain Konan (Reims, France).

Midfielders: Habib Maiga (Metz, France), Maxwel Cornet (Burnley, England), Serey Die (Sion, Switzerland), Ibrahim Sangare (PSV Eindhoven, Netherlands), Jean-Daniel Akpa Akpro (Lazio, Italy), Franck Kessie (AC Milan, Italy), Hamed Traore and Jeremie Boga (both Sassuolo, Italy), Max Gradel (Sivasspor, Turkey), Jean Michael Seri (Fulham, England).

Forwards: Wilfried Zaha (Crystal Palace, England), Jean Evrard Kouassi (Trabzonspor, Turkey), Nicolas Pepe (Arsenal, England), Sebastien Haller (Ajax, Netherlands), Christian Kouame (Anderlecht, Belgium), Yohan Boli (Al-Rayyan, Qatar), Karim Konate (Asec Mimosas, Ivory Coast).

SIERRA LEONE

Sierra Leone players before a past match

AFCON appearances – Three

Titles won – 0

Head coach – John Keister

The Leone Stars qualified for their third Africa Cup of Nations appearance and the first since 1996 after finishing second in Group L, edging out Benin on goal difference with the two having finished with seven points.

Two massive draws against Nigeria proved the confidence booster for the Sierra Leonians. They came from four goals down to draw 4-4 with the Super Eagles in the first leg in Benin City in what was the most remarkable story from the qualification phase.

They then went on to draw 0-0 at home with the African giants in the second leg.

On the final day of qualification, they edged out Benin 1-0 in a match that had to be replayed later at a neutral venue in Guinea due to conflict between the two sides over COVID-19 results. Nonetheless, Sierra Leone took the ticket to Cameroon.

They will be out to prove that the qualification was not by fluke and have their work cut out in a very tough group.

Once again, the ever green Kei Kamara who currently plies his trade in Finland will be depended upon for the goals upfront. Also set to be a key figure is Umaru Bangura who plays in Switzerland.

The Leone Stars will also have for the first time Steven Caulker turning out in their colors. The former QPR man who played for England at youth level has been given the go ahead to switch nationalities to represent the country of his parents’ birth.

Sierra Leone squad:

Goalkeepers: Mohamed N Kamara (East End Lions, Sierra Leone), Ibrahim Sesay (Bo Rangers, Sierra Leone), Isaac Caulker (FC Kallon, Sierra Leone).

Defenders: Yeami Dunia, Saidu Mansaray (both Bo Rangers, Sierra Leone), Osman Kakay (QPR, England) Kevin Wright (Unattached), Steven Caulker (Gaziantep, Turkey), David Sesay (Wealdstone, England), Umaru Bangura (Neuchatel Xamax, Switzerland), Daniel Francis (Rot Weiss Ahlen, Germany).

Midfielders: Mohamed Kamara (Unattached), John Bankole Kamara (Kesla, Azerbaijan), Abu Dumbuya (East End Lions, Sierra Leone), Saidu Bah Kamara, Prince Barrie (both Bo Rangers, Sierra Leone), Kwame Quee (Vikingur Reykjavic, Iceland), Saidu Fofana (FC Kallon, Sierra Leone), Issa Kallon (SC Cambuur, Netherlands), Idris Kanu (Peterborough United, England), Augustus Kargbo (Crotone, Italy).

Forwards: Musa Noah Kamara (Bo Rangers, Sierra Leone), Augustine Williams (LA Galaxy, USA), Mustapha Bundu (AGF, Denmark), Alhaji Kamara (Randers, Denmark), Sullay Kaikai (Wycombe Wanderers, England), Mohamed Buya Turay (Henan Songshan, China), Kei Ansu Kamara (HIFK, Finland).

EQUATORIAL GUINEA

Equatorial Guinea players line up before a past match

AFCON appearances – Three

Titles won – 0

Head coach – Juan Micha

Equatorial Guinea’s best performance at the Africa Cup of Nations was in 2015 when they reached the semi-finals as co-hosts, and lost the third and fourth play-off.

They return to the tournament since that historic performance and this time hope to upset the odds and do even better.

They qualified to the tournament second from Group J behind Tunisia. They edged out Tanzania by two points, having collected an equal number of three wins and losses. They earned their ticket on the penultimate day, having beaten rivals Tanzania by a single goal scored at the stroke of 90 minutes.

They come in to a tough group and even if they fail to clinch an automatic top two ticket, might look at the chance of edging in to the last 16 as one of the best third placed teams.

Equatorial Guinea will miss the services of influential midfielder Pedro Obiang for the tournament, with the Sassuolo midfielder having been sidelined since August due to a breathing disorder.

The former West Ham man who scored twice in qualification was not cleared to start pre-season training with the Italian outfit Sassuolo after medical tests revealed he suffered from myocarditis.

The Nzalang Nacional will now look for inspiration from the likes of Emilio Nsue who scored the goal that saw them qualify with victory over Tanzania.

Equatorial Guinea squad

Goalkeepers: Aitor Embela (Somozas, Spain), Jesus Owono (Deportivo Alaves, Spain), Manuel Sapunga (Futuro Kings, Equatorial Guinea), Mariano Magno (Deportivo Unidad, Equatorial Guinea).

Defenders: Carlos Akapo (Cadiz, Spain), Marvin Anieboh (Cacereno, Spain), Cosme Anvene (Deportivo Unidad, Equatorial Guinea), Saul Coco (Las Palmas, Spain), Miguel Angel Maye (Futuro Kings, Equatorial Guinea), Luis Meseguer (Navalcarnero, Spain), Basilio Ndong (Start, Norway), Luis Enrique Nsue (Futuro Kings, Equatorial Guinea), Esteban Obiang (Antequera, Spain)

Midfielders: Javier Akapo (Ibiza Islas Pitiusas, Spain), Alex Balboa (Deportivo Alaves, Spain), Ruben Belima, Federico Bikoro (both Hercules), Jannick Buyla (Gimnastic Tarragona, Spain), Santiago Eneme (Nantes, France), Pablo Ganet (Real Murcia, Spain), Jose Machin (Monza, Italy), Josete Miranda (Niki Volos, Greece).

Forwards: Dorian Hanza (Langreo, Spain), Luis Nlavo (Sporting Braga, Portugal), Emilio Nsue (unattached), Pedro Oba (Futuro Kings, Equatorial Guinea), Iban Salvador (Fuenlabrada, Spain), Oscar Siafa (Olympiakos Volos, Greece).