Teams: Algeria, Tunisia, Senegal, Zimbabwe
AFCON Group B is an exciting one, the group consists of 3 of the top 5 ranked African teams which will without a doubt prove difficult for all participants. With such difficult opponents, there will be absolutely no space for slow starters and the teams will need to come out firing from the get-go. Both Senegal and Algeria are being tipped as favourites to win the tournament and they will both be looking to get their campaign off to a strong start by topping the group.
Algeria
The first name that comes to mind when discussing Algerian and even African football at the moment has to be the young Leicester City starlet Riyad Mahrez. The English premier League winner has just been named African Player of The Year and will be feeling the pressure to perform for his country come AFCON 2017. Besides for Mahrez, Algeria is home to a host of outstanding players who are scattered around the world at some of the world’s top clubs. During qualification, Algeria scored a whopping 25 goals and conceded just 5 as they came out on top of their group. It has been 17 years since Algeria last won the tournament with their best position in recent times coming in 2010 when they reached the semi-finals. The incredible talent oozing from the Algerian side should at least land them a top 8 spot.
Senegal
The Lions of Teranga fought through qualification with ease as they powered to win all 6 of their qualifying matches without dropping a single point. They managed to score 13 goals while only conceding 2 and according to the most recent FIFA rankings, are the strongest side in Africa as they take number 1 spot in Africa and 33
rd spot worldwide. The Senegalese have never won the tournament but came close in 2002 when they lost the Final to Cameroon on Penalties in Mali. The talent in the Senegalese team is endless with some highly recognisable names on the cards. Sadio Mane of Liverpool is their key man and will be hoping to carry over his club form to Afcon along with the likes of Koulibaly, Gueye, Diouf, Kouyate and many more who ply their trade worldwide.
Tunisia
Tunisia have consistently qualified for the last 12 AFCON tournament’s and will be looking for a 2
nd win in their history since they won at home in 2004. The Cartage eagles did, however, struggle through the qualifying stages but narrowly managed to qualify after winning 4 of their 6 qualifying matches. Going into the competition, Tunisia are ranked 3
rd in Africa but will be without a few key players including Yassine Chikhaoui who was their top scorer from the qualifying stages. They do, however, go in with quite a strong squad largely made up of players who play their football in their home country but including a few who are playing outside of Tunisia. Clashes against strong opposition will be highly testing for the North African’s and it will be no easy task for them to make the top 8.
Zimbabwe
It has been 11 years since Zimbabwe last featured at AFCON as they prepare to represent the Southern Parts of Africa in their 3
rd ever AFCON appearance. The Warriors were not entirely convincing during their qualifying campaign as they only managed 3 wins out of 6. The 3 wins turned out to be enough in the end as they topped the group above Swaziland. Zimbabwe are ranked 29
th in Africa and are the lowest-ranked team in the group. They are, however, not to be written off as they have a host of players who are capable of greatness. The coach has sent out a rather young side and will largely be reliant on Mamelodi Sundown’s star Khama Biallat and Knowledge Musona who is currently a forward at K.V. Oostende in Belgium. The Warrior’s chance of success in AFCON is slim but anything can happen in a tournament like this and we have no doubt they will come out fighting hard to make their mark in African football.
AFCON Group B winner odds: Senegal – 2.25 Tunisia – 4.45 Algeria – 2.60 Zimbabwe – 21.00