YOUTHFUL EXUBERANCE: Youngsters who may set afcon 2023 on fire

By Sports Reporter

The 34th edition of the CAF TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations is set to kick off in a few days in Côte d’Ivoire. As in previous editions, several teams have chosen to include young players who will have the opportunity to showcase their talents on the world stage.

Weekly SA Mirror brings you a Top 6 list of young players to watch during this competition:

• Oswin Reagan Appollis (Bafana Bafana)

The 22-year-old former SuperSport United midfielder has seriously impressed in the current DStv Premiership season with Rise and Shine otherwise known as Polokwane City.

Appollis spent last season resurrecting his promising career at Motsepe Foundation Championship outfit, Pretoria Callies, and was their standout player, scoring six goals and having as many assists.

The former Ajax Cape Town and SuperSport United midfielder has represented South Africa at all junior levels, and was most recently a member of David Notoane’s U23 squad that just missed out on qualification for the U23 AFCON.

The 22-year-old ex-Matsatsantsa A Pitori is in good form for the Polokwane-based PSL returnees and has forced his way into the Bafana set-up.

The football publication has it that Apollis, who is in camp with Bafana in Stellenbosch has also impressed Pirates scouts.

As things stand, Chiefs are also believed to be monitoring the AFCON-bound midfielder but Pirates have also shown interest in Appollis.

Date of birth: 25 August 2001

Place of birth: Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa

Height: 1.71 m (5 ft 7 in)

• Lamine Camara (Senegal)

At just 20 years old, Lamine Camara plays a pivotal role for French side Metz this season, contributing with 17 appearances, one goal, and two assists.

Scoring for Senegal on November 18, 2023, against South Sudan in the World Cup 2026 qualifiers, Camara quickly gained the trust of coach Aliou Cisse.

• Wilfried Nathan Douala (Cameroon)

Born on May 15, 2006, in Douala, Wilfried Nathan Douala is the surprise inclusion in Rigobert Song’s list for the CAF TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations 2023.

A midfielder for Victoria United in Cameroon’s top division, the 17-year-old impressed the coaching staff with his immense technical potential and commendable performances in the league.

• Karim Konaté (Côte d’Ivoire)

A year and a half ago (June 2022), Karim Konaté’s transfer from ASEC Mimosas to RB Salzburg made headlines. Following an incredible season with the Ivorian club, the 19-year-old forward attracted interest from top clubs worldwide.

Born on March 21, 2004, Konaté continues to impress and will be one of the attractions for the Ivorian fans during this home-hosted CAN.

• Ernest Nuamah (Ghana)

With 14 appearances this season in Ligue 1 for Olympique Lyonnais, 20-year-old Ernest Nuamah plays a crucial role in the team’s setup. Acquired for €25 million from Nordsjaelland by Molenbeek before being sent to Lyon, the young winger has made an immediate impact, scoring a goal and providing an assist in the league.

He earned his first cap for the Black Stars in June 2023, and his dynamic play is expected to add more flair to the already formidable attacking lineup.

• Michael Amir Richardson Junior (Morocco – 21 years)

Joining Stade de Reims this season from Le Havre, 21-year-old Amir Richardson has had an almost perfect start to the season personally. The impact of the towering 6’5” midfielder on Reims’ play is evident through his impressive statistics, boasting three goals in 14 matches. This performance earned him a spot among Walid Regragui’s 27-man squad, making him one of the surprises of the squad.

IN THE DRIVING SEAT…

GROUP E POOL: Three of the four nations led by former footballers with Namibia’s Benjamin the youngest of all four coaches

By Sports Reporter

Abidjan’s Stade Olympique Alassane Ouattara officially kicks off the biggest event on African soil, the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations, Cote d’Ivoire 2023 on Saturday.

With all 24 nations raring to go for the Africa’s most treasured football prize, CAFOnline takes a look at the men who will be in the driving seats and looking to navigate their way past a tough Group E pool.

All teams, with the exception of Tunisia will be led by coaches who have once laced the boots and are now behind the tactics board as head coaches.

GROUP E: Tunisia, Mali, South Africa, Namibia

Korhogo’s Stade Amadou Gon Coulibaly plays host to Group E which consists of two former African champions, who both coincidentally won it on home soil. 

Tunisia (2004) as well as South Africa (1996) are the former champions in the group while Mali’s best finish was in 1972 when they lost in the final against Congo.

The Brave Warriors of Namibia are making their fourth appearance and will be hoping to go beyond the group stages for the first time.

Meet the Coaches: Tunisia – Jalel Kadri (52)

Jalel Kadri temporarily took over the Tunisian coaching reins during the TotalEnergies AFCON 2021 in Cameroon after the then head coach Mondher Kebaier, contracted Covid-19 just days before Tunisia’s Round of 16 tie against Nigeria, which he guided the team to a 1-0 victory over the three-time champions.

Despite bowing out of the 2021 edition in the quarter-finals against Burkina Faso, Kadri managed to qualify the team to the 2022 FIFA World Cup and will be looking to draw from both experiences when leading his side in Cote d’Ivoire.

Mali – Eric Chelle (46)

Born in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire 46 years ago, Eric Chelle will be competing in his first-ever TotalEnergies AFCON as a manager in his native country.

Following an incredibly successful playing career in France which includes stints with Valenciennes and Racing Club de Lens, Chelle shifted focus to the tactics board and had his first coaching assignment in 2016 with French club, GS Consolat.

In May 2022, the former defender was appointed head coach of Mali and will have the tough assignment of leading the Eagles in Cote d’Ivoire.

South Africa – Hugo Broos (71)

Guided Cameroon to their fifth TotalEnergies AFCON title in 2017, coach Hugo Broos will be on the helm of a South African side that is desperate for continental success, having last won the title back in 1996.

Undoubtedly, the team has seen a great improvement since the taking over of the Belgian tactician who will be leading them to their 11th TotalEnergies AFCON appearance after last making an appearance in Egypt during the 2019 edition. A fan of blending youth and experience in his squads, Broos will be looking at replicating his 2017 success with a young generation of Bafana Bafana.

Namibia – Collin Benjamin (45)

Namibia is preparing to make their fourth TotalEnergies AFCON appearance and are yet to make it beyond the group stages of the competition. Comfortably carrying the underdogs tag, under Collin Benjamin, the Brave Warriors have one of Africa’s most astute coaches who is looking at making a name for himself following a successful playing career in Germany.

At 45, Benjamin is the youngest coach in the group and will be looking to outsmart his more experienced counterparts during the group stages and make history for his nation by going past the group stages.