Sadio Mane, the talented Senegalese international footballer, has expressed his belief that Ghana is one of the top favorites to win the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Ivory Coast next year.
Mane, who led Senegal to victory in the 2021 AFCON, named Ghana alongside Egypt, Morocco, and Cameroon as strong contenders for the prestigious title.
While acknowledging that the AFCON is known for its surprises, Mane emphasized the consistent strength of certain teams.
“The AFCON is full of surprises, but we know the usual best teams like the hosts, Nigeria, Egypt, Morocco, Ghana, Algeria, and Cameroon,” he stated, according to Joueurs Cameronais.
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Currently, Ghana is in the midst of securing qualification for the tournament following a draw against Madagascar in the penultimate AFCON qualifier last month. Meanwhile, Egypt, Morocco, and Cameroon have already secured their places in the competition, which is scheduled to kick off in January.
In recent years, the Ghanaian team has faced challenges in the AFCON, experiencing early exits at the group stage in their last two tournaments.
In the previous AFCON, they failed to progress from the group stage, with Morocco, Gabon, and Comoros advancing ahead of the four-time African champions. Similarly, at the 2022 FIFA World Cup, Ghana finished at the bottom of their group, with Portugal and South Korea advancing to the round of 16.
As fans eagerly anticipate the 2023 AFCON, Mane’s endorsement of the Ghanaian team as a strong contender adds to the excitement surrounding the tournament and the prospects of the participating teams.
