Izuchukwu OkosiThe Group C of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations can be described as the proverbial ‘Group of Death’ and for a good reason.
Izuchukwu Okosi explains why.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelThe Group C contains heavyweights Cameroon, Senegal, Gambia and Guinea.
The Indomitable Lions of Cameroon are the second most successful African team in the history of the Nations Cup with five titles to their name.
Over the years they have produced a team the continent fear to face as they combine skills and power to great effect.
The Cameroonians have offered Africa immeasurable pleasure of watching talents over the years like Samuel Eto’o, Roger Milla, Thomas Nkono, Lauren Etame Meyer to name a few.
This generation also boosts of great players who are doing greatly in Europe. Vincent Abuobakar is a massive asset to the team and much of the team’s attacking threats will centre on his big shoulders.
The pressure of not having won the title has been lifted by the Teranga Lions of Cameroon and in Sadio Mane they have a predator who is hungry to reclaim his best African player gong.
The support cast of Kalidou Koulibaly, Nicolas Jackson, Edouard Mendy and Idrissa Gueye will rally to ensure that the francophone giants will at least reach the latter stages of the AFCON.
The many faceoffs between the Lions of Africa as mirrored by the blockbuster 2002 penalty shootout final won by Cameroon is a sign to the humongous feat of football about to go down in that group.
Guinea may seem the wildcards but they can break into the top two should any of the big boys falter.
They boost of a striker who is at present one of the hottest properties in the top five European leagues – Serhou Guirassy of Vfl Stuttgart.
Amadou Diawara is a bright prospect while Africa will see the rise of another youngster destined for greatness in 18-year-old Facinet Cante.
Guinea will be captained by the wily, former Liverpool midifeld enforcer, Naby Keita, who despite his unlucky injury spells remain a pillar for the side coached by Kaba Diawara.
The Gambia reached the quarterfinals of the tournament in 2021 which was a huge upset in all ramifications.
They are not your usual superpowers but if what we saw in the two rounds of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying fixtures in Africa so far is anything to go by, then the likes of Gambia must not be taken for granted.
Prime Business Africa’s verdict: Cameroon and Senegal remain the group’s strongest sides but they can be shocked by Guinea and The Gambia in moments of sloppiness.
Izuchukwu Okosi is a Nigerian sports and entertainment journalist with two decades of experience in the media industry having begun his media journey in 2002 as an intern at Mundial Sports International (MSI) and Africa Independent Television (AIT), owners of Daar Communications Plc.
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