The first international soccer tournament of 2022, the African Cup of Nations, will take place in Cameroon, Central Africa, from Jan. 9 to Feb. 6. Originally scheduled for June and July of 2021, the tournament was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. What better way to kick off a World Cup year and bring in the New Year than with an international tournament?
Africa’s brightest stars will be playing for their country. Liverpool teammates Mohamed Salah, from Egypt, and Sadio Mane, from Senegal, head two of the favorites to win the cup. Manchester City’s Riyad Mahrez leads the defending champion Algerian squad. Gabon’s superstar Pierre Emerick-Aubameyang is playing his first major tournament for the island nation since 2015.
The tournament features 24 teams from Africa and the teams are divided into six groups. The top two teams from each group advance to the knockout stage, with the next four highest scoring third place teams also advancing. From then, a knockout style format is followed until a winner is decided.
In 2019’s AFCON final, Algeria defeated Senegal due to a second-minute goal from Baghdad Bounedjah. The Algerian team is led by Mahrez, one of the best ranked attackers in the world. A rare blend of soccer veterans in Aissa Mandi, Islam Slimani and Rais M’Bolhi and youth in Houssem Aouar, Youcef Atal and Ismael Bennacer gives the defending champions a great chance to win the tournament, while also building their future lineup.
Senegal has the most well-rounded team in the tournament. Mane is one of the best forwards in the world. Napoli’s Kalidou Koulibaly is one of the best center backs in the world and is the best defender on the continent. Goalkeeper Edouard Mendy has been a revelation for Chelsea, being a key contributor in their Champions League title. Midfielder Idrissa Gueye is an every-match player for Paris Saint-Germain and gives the Senegal team a solid midfield.
Any team with a goal scorer as talented as Salah has a chance to win it all. The Liverpool man is having one of the best seasons in recent memory, as he leads the league with 16 goals and nine assists. The Egyptian team lacks depth, but their best players will be in the lineup. Premier league midfielders Mohamed Elneny and Trézéguet performances are crucial if Egypt hopes to compete. Defender Ahmed Hegazi is their rock in defense, having 73 career caps, the third most of anybody in the squad.
The tournament kicks off on Jan. 9 with Cameroon taking on Burkina Faso’s strong defense. Until Jan. 20, there will be at least two matches per day, with the first kicking off at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. being the second start time. The final takes place on Feb. 6 at 3 p.m. at Stade Omnisport Paul Biya in Olembe.
