According to Opta calculations, Senegal is the favorite to succeed itself at the next African Cup of Nations, ahead of Ivory Coast, the host country, and Morocco, semi-finalist of the 2022 World Cup .
Four days before the African Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast (which begins Saturday, 9 p.m., with the Elephants’ match against Guinea-Bissau), Opta, the benchmark statistics operator in the world of football, revealed his predictions. Sadio Mané’s Senegal is the favorite to take over, two years after the very first continental coronation in the history of the Lions of Teranga (against Egypt on penalties).
Behind the Senegalese and their 12.8% chance of winning according to Opta calculations, we find the Ivorians, with 12.1% of being crowned at home. Not an easy feat, since it would be a first since the Egyptians in 2006. But Seko Fofana (for his first CAN) takes with him a quality group (Evan Ndicka, Ibrahim Sangaré, Jérémie Boga, Sébastien Haller).
On the last step of the podium, with 11.1% to win, we find Morocco of Walid Regragui, historic semi-finalist at the 2022 World Cup, who has ample talent to also reach the last four. Djamel Belmadi’s Algeria, African champion in 2019, is approaching a 10% chance of winning, then Mohamed Salah’s Egypt and Victor Osimhen’s Nigeria exceed 8%.
: Opta Predictions 📈
Who will win the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations?
The Opta supercomputer has delivered its 2023 AFCON predictions as tournament hosts Ivory Coast look to dethrone reigning champions Senegal.#TotalEnergiesAFCON2023 | @CAF_Online
— Opta Analyst (@OptaAnalyst) January 9, 2024
