The celebration of African soccer will take place from January 13 to February 11. It's every African player's dream to take part in this competition. While many players, such as Salah, Osimhen and company, arrive at the tournament in good form, other great African players who have been relegated to a substitute role at their clubs, or who are in poor form, have the opportunity to regain their confidence and get back on track with the AFCON. These include André Onana, Amrabat, Ounahi, Ezzalzouli, Ismaila Sarr, Iliman Ndiaye, Sebastian Haller, Bertrand Traoré...
André Onana (Cameroon)
The question of his participation in the AFCON has been the subject of rumors. Many have raised the possibility of the player declining his invitation to the event in Côte d'Ivoire. This news has not yet been confirmed.The player is not at his best with Manchester. He is responsible for a number of goals, hence the criticism he has received. The break from the African Cup of Nations and, above all, a good campaign in Côte d'Ivoire could help him return to the form he showed with Inter Milan last season. This season, in 26 games played, he conceded 43 goals.
Sofyan Amrabat (Morocco)
Sofyan Amrabat joined Manchester United late in his career. His adaptation has not yet been the best.Indeed, there are reports that United have decided not to activate the option to buy the player permanently. Not helped by a team lacking confidence, the player is far from the performance he showed with Fiorentina and above all with Morocco at the World Cup. Which partly explains his transfer. A key figure in the Moroccan national team, the player will be returning to Morocco and a certain atmosphere in a close-knit group, to try and regain his confidence and become that rock in the middle again. And who knows, he'll be able to capitalize on Morocco's successful campaign to show his full potential on his return. It's a player who will be joining the Tanière.
Erik ten Hag ne veut plus de Sofyan Amrabat ! 👋❌
Man Utd ne devrait pas lever l'OA du marocain.
(@SkySports) pic.twitter.com/LOe3CG8BXy
— BeFootball (@_BeFootball) December 29, 2023
Azzedine Ounahi (Morocco)
Since his arrival in Marseille, Ounahi's impact on the game has been the subject of debate. His talent is not in doubt, but his nonchalance and physical deficiency explain why the player has not yet become an indisputable starter. He is also slow to convince the public. He alternates between starting and sitting on the bench.This regularly earns him criticism.
In Morocco, on the other hand, his role is essential in Regragui's system. The campaign with Morocco is an opportunity for the player to regain his confidence and convince the skeptics in France. But it is also an opportunity to confirm his world-class talent and the role in which he likes to be used (a much-discussed question). Out of 17 league games, he started 9, was on the bench 4, was absent through injury 2 times, and came on 2 times.A record not commensurate with his talent.
Sebastian Haller (Ivory Coast)
Côte d'Ivoire striker Sebastian Haller is not doing so well with Dortmund this season.He has been demoted in the attacking hierarchy and is now a substitute. In 16 Bundesliga games for Dortmund, he has made 4 starts and 7 substitute appearances. In statistical terms, he has yet to score a goal, reflecting a certain loss of confidence. The serial goalscorer has an excellent head for goal, and the opportunity presented by the African Cup of Nations in Côte d'Ivoire to relaunch his career. He has always shown and proclaimed his love for the Ivorian jersey. A good competition would be a just reward for his patriotism and for all the things he has gone through without ever giving up.Perhaps the family atmosphere in Côte d'Ivoire will help him get back to his Ajax level.
Ismaila Sarr and Iliman Ndiaye (Senegal)
The 2 Senegalese strikers were expected to be key recruits for OM. Almost halfway through the season, both have disappointed expectations. They weren't decisive enough in front of goal and didn't provide enough assists.
Ismaila Sarr has even lost his starting berth. The winger played 14 league games. He started 8 games, making 6 starts. Of the last 5 league games, he started just one.Sarr has 3 goals scored and just one assist. Rumor has it that Marseille are looking to sell him this winter. It seems he no longer fits in with Marseille's plans.
Iliman Ndiaye, also coming off a successful season in the Championship, was eagerly awaited by Marseille. As evidenced by the fervor with which he was greeted. But the Senegalese player has yet to acclimatize to his new surroundings. He has scored just 1 goal in 15 games played. He too alternates between starting and starting games as a substitute.
The CAF Africa Cup of Nations could prove to be a good opportunity for the 2 key members of the Lions of Teranga to regain their confidence and level.
Bertrand Traoré (Burkina Faso)
Bertrand Traoré is a substitute at Aston Villa. He has also suffered an injury that kept him out of action for so long that it put a question mark over his participation in the African Cup of Nations.He was included in the Etalons' list of 27. The player who carried the Etalons at last year's afcon is back in the competition that boosted them last time.Why not this time?
Given his lack of playing time and the tight spots at Aston Villa, the AFCON is a dream opportunity for him to show that he's still got it. If he wants to attract interest or play a more important role in the Villa attack, the AFCON is the perfect opportunity for him. The player has taken part in just 2 club matches this season, plus 2 more for his country (2 goals scored). Let's hope he once again builds on the success he has enjoyed with the national team.
Abde Ezzalzouli (Morocco)
The Moroccan hopeful, who had an excellent season with Osasuna and a very good pre-season with Barcelona, had decided to join Real Bétis to play a leading role and continue his progress. Unfortunately, the adventure hasn't yet gone according to plan, with the player enjoying only limited playing time and a substitute role. He was a starter 3 times and a substitute 13 times in 16 games played. He has scored just one goal this season.A stoppage in his progress. The African Cup of Nations could do him a world of good, giving him a chance to pick up some playing time, a change of scenery and a change of ideas, with a view to regaining his confidence.And who knows, he could get his chance when he returns to Andalusia.
Benrahma, Habib Diallo
Said Benrahma is another African player likely to be called up by Algeria. He has been less successful this season, as evidenced by his reduced role in the West Ham squad and the reduction in his playing time. His period of doubt was confirmed by the penalty he missed late on against Arsenal in the closing match of matchday 19 on Thursday. Then there's the Senegalese player Habib Diallo, whose adventure in Saudi Arabia has not been a success so far. After an outstanding season in Ligue 1 last year, he has so far only scored 2 goals in 15 games in the Saudi Super League.
