Big Match Feature: Ivory Coast v Togo
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Defending champions Ivory Coast begin the defence of their AFCON title with a game against West African rivals Togo today.
The Ivorians defeated Ghana on penalties in the last edition to nick their second ever title and put the rest the perception that the ‘golden generation’ will never lift a trophy.
One of the continent’s inform sides, Ivory Coast will look to start on a bright note by defeating Togo who is led by Claude Leroy, a veteran of the Africa Cup of Nations.
There is no Yaya Toure or Gervinho this time out but the Elephants, with Michel Dussuyer at the helm of things have a new crop of youngsters who
want to make a name for themselves.
Franck Kessie is one of the new players whom Ivorians hope can help defend the title. The midfielder is an exciting central midfielder who has made a big impression in the Italian Serie A with Atalanta.
Wilfred Zaha is also part of the squad after switching allegiance from England, as is Eric Bailly of Manchester United and the long-serving Serey Die who will provide experience for the Elephants.
Togo have the talismanic Emmanuel Adebayor in their squad even though there will be concerns as regards his fitness as he hasn’t played any competitive football in nine months.
Leroy, [above] making his ninth Africa Cup of Nations appearance will hope the team can surprise a lot of people in Gabon and do the impossible-upset the defending champions.
Olympiacos of Greece’s Alaixys Romao is one to look out for in the Togolese side that has veteran goalkeeper Koffi Agassa who is club-less at the moment.
The experienced Serge Akakpo and Sadate Ouro-Akoriko will be relied upon in defence to ward of the Ivorian attacks that will definitely come in torrents.
For Togo v Ivory Coast head to head click here
Atlas Lions V Leopards - in the battle of big cats
The second game in Group C will be between two teams who haven't won the title in years but will be looking for glory in 2017.
Morocco will be in Gabon with Herve Renard, [below]who has won two of the last three Africa Cup of Nations titles. More than likely he has also packed his lucky white shirt.
The Frenchman took Zambia to the title in 2012 and repeated same with the Ivory Coast in 2015 with the possibility of a hat-trick of titles imminent with the Atlas Lions.
Its been 41 years since Morocco won the title and Renard will be looked upon skipper Mehdi Benatia of Juventus to lead them to victory against a strong DR Congo side.
The Moroccan team has a lot of technically good players like Watford’s Nordin Amrabat, Karim El Ahmadi, Yousef Al Arabi and Mbark Boussoufa but will have to do without Younès Belhanda and Oussama Tannane who have been ruled out of the tournament through injury.
Winners in 1968 and 1974, Congo DR will launch another assault at the Africa title with the first group game against Morroco a litmus test of their ambitions.
Florent Ibenge’s side won five of their six matches towards qualifying for the tournament and will hope that form can propel them to a win against Morocco.
In Chancel Mbemba, they have a reliable centre-back who will be complemented by Gabriel Zakauni, Ikoko Jordan and Bope Bokadi Merveille. In attack, they have the giant of Hull City, Neeskens Kebano [below] and Cedric Bukambu of Villareal.
Captain Youssouf Mulumbu holds forth in the midfield for Ibenge’s side who will be missing the colorful goalkeeper Robert Kidiaba who didn’t make the cut.
For Morocco v DR Congo head to head click here
The Ivorians defeated Ghana on penalties in the last edition to nick their second ever title and put the rest the perception that the ‘golden generation’ will never lift a trophy.
One of the continent’s inform sides, Ivory Coast will look to start on a bright note by defeating Togo who is led by Claude Leroy, a veteran of the Africa Cup of Nations.
There is no Yaya Toure or Gervinho this time out but the Elephants, with Michel Dussuyer at the helm of things have a new crop of youngsters who
want to make a name for themselves.
Franck Kessie is one of the new players whom Ivorians hope can help defend the title. The midfielder is an exciting central midfielder who has made a big impression in the Italian Serie A with Atalanta.
Wilfred Zaha is also part of the squad after switching allegiance from England, as is Eric Bailly of Manchester United and the long-serving Serey Die who will provide experience for the Elephants.
Togo have the talismanic Emmanuel Adebayor in their squad even though there will be concerns as regards his fitness as he hasn’t played any competitive football in nine months.
Leroy, [above] making his ninth Africa Cup of Nations appearance will hope the team can surprise a lot of people in Gabon and do the impossible-upset the defending champions.
Olympiacos of Greece’s Alaixys Romao is one to look out for in the Togolese side that has veteran goalkeeper Koffi Agassa who is club-less at the moment.
The experienced Serge Akakpo and Sadate Ouro-Akoriko will be relied upon in defence to ward of the Ivorian attacks that will definitely come in torrents.
For Togo v Ivory Coast head to head click here
Atlas Lions V Leopards - in the battle of big cats
The second game in Group C will be between two teams who haven't won the title in years but will be looking for glory in 2017.
Morocco will be in Gabon with Herve Renard, [below]who has won two of the last three Africa Cup of Nations titles. More than likely he has also packed his lucky white shirt.
The Frenchman took Zambia to the title in 2012 and repeated same with the Ivory Coast in 2015 with the possibility of a hat-trick of titles imminent with the Atlas Lions.
Its been 41 years since Morocco won the title and Renard will be looked upon skipper Mehdi Benatia of Juventus to lead them to victory against a strong DR Congo side.
The Moroccan team has a lot of technically good players like Watford’s Nordin Amrabat, Karim El Ahmadi, Yousef Al Arabi and Mbark Boussoufa but will have to do without Younès Belhanda and Oussama Tannane who have been ruled out of the tournament through injury.
Winners in 1968 and 1974, Congo DR will launch another assault at the Africa title with the first group game against Morroco a litmus test of their ambitions.
Florent Ibenge’s side won five of their six matches towards qualifying for the tournament and will hope that form can propel them to a win against Morocco.
In Chancel Mbemba, they have a reliable centre-back who will be complemented by Gabriel Zakauni, Ikoko Jordan and Bope Bokadi Merveille. In attack, they have the giant of Hull City, Neeskens Kebano [below] and Cedric Bukambu of Villareal.
Captain Youssouf Mulumbu holds forth in the midfield for Ibenge’s side who will be missing the colorful goalkeeper Robert Kidiaba who didn’t make the cut.
For Morocco v DR Congo head to head click here
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