Category Archives: AFCON Fantasy Football

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AFCON Fantasy Team Preview – Algeria

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AFCON Fantasy is here and the FPL Manual shares his thoughts on Algeria’s national football team, their best players to consider, and the predicted XI for AFCON 2024.

Team Profile

  • Name – Algeria
  • Nickname – Les Guerriers du Désert (The Desert Warriors)/Les Fennecs (The Fennec Fox)
  • Current World ranking – 30th (4th in Africa)

Algeria hosted the African Cup of Nations once in 1990 when they also won the tournament in addition to the 2019 edition.

 

AFCON 2021 Moments

After securing their second AFCON victory in 2019, The Desert Warriors entered AFCON 2021 as defending CAN champions 🏆

However, that AFCON success faced challenges. The 3-1 defeat to Ivory Coast was a significant setback, and Algeria finished bottom of Group E with one point.

 

Algeria’s Road to AFCON

Algeria’s journey to AFCON 2023 began in June 2022 with a 2-0 home win against Uganda. On the 27th of March 2023, Algeria secured their ticket to Cote D’Ivoire and went on to dominate Group F with five wins and one draw, scoring nine goals and conceding only two goals.

 

Algeria’s Top AFCON Qualifier Performers

Top scorers during the AFCON qualifiers

  • Mohamed Amoura – 3 goals
  • Aissa Mandi, Youcef Belaili, R Besbaini, R Alhassane, Mahrez, B Bounedjah – 1 goal each

Recent form – In the last 10 games, Algeria had seven wins and three draws in 2023.

Mahrez is the designated pen taker for Algeria.

Algeria Team News

Official Algeria team list going to Cote D’Ivoire

Dropped players: Adem Zorgane, Adi-rais Mbolhi, Rachid Ghezzal, Faouzi Ghulam, Yacine Brahimi, and Aimen Mahious are only but a few names who will miss out.

 

Amine Ghouiri who was once called up has been dropped out due to injury. Djamel Belmadi also made the decision to include goalkeeper Mustafa Zaghba as the 26th player.

The selection raised a few eyebrows among Algerians, as many expected Ghouiri to be replaced with a forward like Benrahma, but this seems to be a cautionary move.

 

Algeria Probable Lineup AFCON 2024

Long-serving manager Djamel Belmadi has used a 3-5-2 or 4-2-3-1 formation in the past. However, the most prominent formation seems to be a 4-3-3 system. Here is how Algeria could line up going forward (at least for matchday 1):

Before I reel out the fantasy picks, an Algerian supporter @AlgerianFooty shared his thoughts with me on the Algerian Team

🔹 Concerning nailed players – “Mandrea, Ait-Nouri, Bensebaini, Mahrez, and Atal are the only people I can tell you 100% start the first game.”

🔹 Concerning who plays as the striker upfront – “Well it’s gonna be Amoura, He’s the top scorer in Belgium. The only problem is he’s suspended for game 1.” “I can’t tell you who is nailed in the striker position in game one, Belaili – Slimani – Mahrez is my guess.”

Best Algeria AFCON Fantasy Assets

 

Nailed Players

Atal 5m, Ait-Nouri 4.5m, Mahrez 11m, Besbaini 6m, Mandrea 5.5m

 

Fairly Nailed: (play 70 mins or play 2/3 group games)

Chaibi 8m, Bennacer 5.5m

@AlgerianFooty tips Amoura (5.5m) could be an absolute bargain when he returns for Matchday 2.

 

Summary

Despite a poor CAN title defence, Algeria have significantly improved in form and are ready to show more passion this coming AFCON. Starting the first game against Group D rivals Angola, one of Ait-Nouri, Atal, or Mahrez would be essential for Matchday 1.

You can find additional AFCON 2024 Fantasy resources here.

AFCON Fantasy Football, Fantasy Football, FEATURED

AFCON Fantasy Team Preview – Burkina Faso

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AFCON Fantasy is here and the FPL Manual shares his thoughts on Burkina Faso’s national football team, their best players to consider, and the predicted XI for AFCON 2024.

Team Profile

  • Name – Burkina Faso
  • Nickname – Les Étalons (The Stallions)
  • Current World ranking – 57th (10th in Africa)

Burkina Faso hosted the African Cup of Nations for the first time in 1998. The Stallion’s best record was finishing as runners-up in the 2013 AFCON campaign.

 

AFCON 2021 Moments

During the AFCON 2021 tournament, Burkina Faso emerged as the unexpected underdogs securing a notable 4th place. Their recent achievements have not been overlooked, contributing significantly to their improved FIFA ranking, now placing them among the top 10 nations in Africa.

 

Burkina Faso’s Road to AFCON

On the 28th of March, 2023, The Stallions secured their spot to Cote d’Ivoire and are set to make their 13th AFCON appearance. Burkina Faso topped Group B in the Qualifiers with 11 points (3 wins, 2 draws, and 1 defeat) scoring eight goals, and conceding only five.

 

Burkina Faso’s Top AFCON Qualifier Performers

Burkina Faso’s Afcon Qualifiers top scorers

  • Dango Ouattara – 4 goals
  • A Tapsoba, I Dayo, S Aziz Ki, and Hassane Bande – 1 goal each

The 21-year-old Dango Ouattara led the line for his nation and was a key factor in helping the Stallions qualify.

Burkina Faso Team News

Official Team List for Burkina Faso – Issa Kabore, Dango Ouattara, Bertrand Traore, Edmond Taspoba, and Hassane Bande all make the squad. No sign of Cyrille Bayala and Trova Boni.

Team news: #1 goalie Herve Koffi got injured in his last game. Awaiting team update to know if he is okay. In his last game for Bournemouth, Dango Ouattara got subbed off due to injury. Iraola said, “He is a very important player for Burkina Faso and I hope he can help them. “But he has a swollen ankle and we have to wait.” Traore is also injured.

 

Burkina Faso Probable Lineup AFCON 2024

The manager Hubert Velud can go with a 4-4-2 or 4-3-3 formation. If all the Stallion key players are available before Matchday 1, then perhaps Velud can lineup this way:

Best Burkina Faso AFCON Fantasy Assets

🥇Dango Ouattara 6m
🥈B Traore 8.5m
🥉E Tapsoba 4.5m (DEF)

In a late 2022 friendly against Ivory Coast Edmund Tapsoba scored a pen even with Bertrand Traore on the pitch. However, Traore is still the designated pen taker.

 

That brings me to the end of this article. Disclaimer: All predicted lineups are prepared by myself and is subject to a secondary opinion where necessary.

You can find additional AFCON 2024 Fantasy resources here.

AFCON Fantasy Football, Fantasy Football, FEATURED

AFCON Fantasy Team Preview – Cameroon

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AFCON Fantasy is here and the FPL Manual shares his thoughts on Cameroon’s national football team, their best players to consider, and predicted XI for AFCON 2024.

Team Profile

  • Name – Cameroon
  • Nickname – Lions Indomptables (The Indomitable Lions)
  • Current World ranking – 46th (7th in Africa)

Cameroon previously hosted the African Cup of Nations in 1972 and also the most recent 2021 edition. The Indomitable Lions have a good AFCON record winning it five times, were runners-up on two occasions, and also finished third place in the recent AFCON 2021 campaign. Just behind Egypt, Cameroon is one of the most successful teams to participate in the African Cup of Nations.

 

AFCON 2021 Moments

If you were a close follower of the AFCON 2021 campaign, you won’t forget about this attacking duo. Toko Ekambi and Vincent Aboubakar had a goal combination of 11 goals last AFCON Aboubakar later won the top goalscorer award and other accolades to his name.

 

Cameroon’s Road to AFCON

On the 12th of September 2023, The Indomitable Lions have booked their tickets to a historic 21st AFCON appearance after bagging a crucial 3-0 home win against Burundi. Cameroon finished 1st in group C (2 wins, 1 draw, and 1 loss) scoring six goals, conceding three goals.

 

Cameroon’s Top AFCON Qualifier Performers

Top AFCON scorers

  • V Aboubakar – 2 goals
  • Toko Ekambi, O Kemen, B Mbeumo, C Wooh – 1 goal each

Recent form: In their last eight games, Cameroon had only two wins, with three draws and 3 defeats in 2023 🤔

Meanwhile, Toko Ekambi is on direct freekicks while Aboubakar is on pens for Cameroon.

Cameroon Team News

Official Cameroon team list

Dropped players: Choupo-Moting, Nicolas Ngamaleu, Collins Fai, Nicolas Nkoulou and Martin Hongla are amongst a few players who did not make the final 27-man squad list. Bryan Mbeumo misses out due to injury 🤕

Injury update: Rigobert Song on the absence of Bryan Mbeumo – “We are all bothered by his injury (to Bryan Mbeumo, editor’s note). He is a very important player but today with the 27 players called up, we will find the formula to replace him.”

 

More team news: Even after being called up, It would seem Francois Regue Mughe opted out of the Cameroon team and is now focused on his club instead. It remains to be seen who will be called up to replace Mughe.

 

Cameroon Probable Lineup AFCON 2024

Since his official appointment on 28th February 2022, Former player and now manager Rigobert Song tends to use go with 4-4-2 and 3-4-3 shape. Perhaps going forward, a 4-3-3 formation might get the job done. Cameroon could line up this way for the competition:

Best Cameroon AFCON Fantasy Assets

🥇Aboubakar 10m
🥈Toko Ekambi 10.5m
🥉Anguissa 5.5m

Onana 5m if he is available for MD 1✅

 

Potential differential: Devis Epssay 4m – he could start if Onana is out for MD 1.

A lot is going on with the Cameroon team and I can only recommend these few stars

 

Summary

A poor 2023 form, key players have been dropped or unavailable. Cameroon are not looking like the Indomitable Lions they once were. Nonetheless, Rigobert Song will push his players to do well and qualify for the Round of 16 and maybe the momentum could change after that.

You can find additional AFCON 2024 Fantasy resources here.

AFCON Fantasy Football, Fantasy Football, FEATURED

AFCON Fantasy Team Preview – Senegal

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AFCON Fantasy is here and the FPL Manual shares his thoughts on Senegal’s national football team, their best players to consider, and predicted XI for AFCON 2024.

Team Profile

  • Name – Senegal
  • Nickname – Les Lions de la Téranga (The Lions of Teranga/Teranga Lions)
  • Current World ranking – 20th (2nd in Africa)

Senegal previously hosted the African Cup of Nations once in 1992. After being runners-up on two occasions, on the 6th of February 2022, Senegal claimed their first AFCON victory after a 4-2 win on penalties to AFCON 2021 finalist Egypt. The Teranga Lions will be ready to defend their crown and do it all again this time in Côte d’Ivoire.

 

Senegal’s Road to AFCON

On the 28th of March 2023, Senegal officially sealed their spot for a 17th AFCON appearance. The Teranga Lions will go on to show dominance by topping Group L with 14 points (4 wins, 2 draws in 6 games) scoring 12 goals and conceding only four goals.

 

Senegal’s Top AFCON Qualifier Performers

Top AFCON Qualifier scorers

  • Sadio Mane – 5 goals ⭐️
  • B Dia – 2 goals
  • Y Sabaly, I Ndiaye, H Diallo, A Seck – 1 goal each

Recent form: In the last nine games, Senegal had five wins, three draws, and one loss in 2023.

Sadio Mane is the designated pen taker scoring three penalties during the AFCON qualifiers.


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Senegal Team News

Official Senegal team going to Ivory Coast

Dropped players: Ismaila Ciss, Dion Lopy, Fode Ballo, Mory Diaw, Ousseynou Ba, and Amigo Gomis are but a few names who did not make the final list.

Q: “Is Pape Sarr injured?”

A: “More fear than harm, see you at CAN! 🦁”

Pape Sarr assures the Senegalese fans that he is okay for AFCON 2023. The 21-year-old won the Best Young Player award in the CAF 2022 Awards and will be key again for his nation.

 

Senegal Probable Lineup AFCON 2024

Long-serving manager Aliou Cisse uses either a 3-4-3 or 4-5-1 shape but tends to favor a 4-3-3 system and this is how Senegal could line up for the 2023 AFCON Campaign:

A Senegalese supporter shares his preference on how the midfield could line up as the gaffer Aliou Cisse seems to prefer having the experience of Gueye and Kouyate instead of Lamine Camara and Namplays Mendy.

Before I reel out the fantasy picks, a few things to note:

  • The no 9 role is not exactly nailed. Depending on the game, Aliou Cisse rotates between N Jackson, Boulaye Diallo, and H Diallo, so avoid it for now.
  • K Diatta seems to be getting minutes but is out of position mostly at RB.


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Best Senegal AFCON Fantasy Assets

 

Nailed Players

Mane 11.5m, Pape Sarr 5m, Koulibaly 6m, E Mendy 5.5m

 

Fairly Nailed (play 70+ mins or start 2/3 group games)

I Sarr 9m, N Mendy 5.5m, I Jakobs 5m

 

Rotation Risk

Diatta 5.5m, C Kouyate 5m, B Dia 6m, I Ndiaye 6.5m, A Diallo 5.5m

 

Summary

Coming into this tournament as champions, Senegal are here for business. Starting Group C against The Gambia. Sadio Mane, Koulibaly, and Pape Sarr are the top RealFevr Africa Fantasy assets that AFCON Fantasy managers will look forward to having in their respective teams.

You can find additional AFCON 2024 Fantasy resources here.

AFCON Fantasy Football, Fantasy Football, FEATURED

AFCON Fantasy Team Preview – Ghana

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AFCON Fantasy is here and the FPL Manual shares his thoughts on Ghana’s national football team, their best players to consider, and predicted XI for AFCON 2024.

Team Profile

  • Name – Ghana
  • Nickname – Black Stars
  • Current World ranking – 61st (11th in Africa)

The Black Stars of Ghana has won the Africa Cup of Nations four times (1963, 1965, 1978, and 1982) and finished as runner-ups on five occasions. However, these accolades seem to be a thing of the past as current performances say otherwise. The last AFCON 2021 was quite abysmal with the Black Stars knocked out of the Group C finishing bottom of the table. The 3-2 defeat to Comoros will be indeed a game to forget.

 

Ghana’s Road to AFCON

On 7th Sept 2023, Ghana officially booked their tickets to Côte d’Ivoire for a 24th AFCON participation after a 2-1 win against C.A.R. With three wins and three draws in six games, The Black Stars finished 1st in Group E of the AFCON qualifiers scoring eight, conceding three goals.

 

Ghana’s Top AFCON Qualifier Performers

  • Mo Kudus – 3 goals
  • O Bukari – 2 goals
  • A Semenyo, E Nuamah, F Afena-Gyan – 1 goal each

Kudus is the star man here and he is on a few direct freekicks. Andre Ayew is the pen taker when he is available for selection.


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Ghana Team News

Official Ghanaian Team going to Ivory Coast

Dropped/Omitted players: Baba Rahman, Fatawu Issahaku, Kamaldeen Sulemana, Edmund Addo etc. Thomas Partey misses out due to injury. Richmond Lamptey could make his debut for Ghana.

A few Ghana fans/journalists are unhappy with Chris Hughton’s selection, especially in bringing Ransford to the squad. Others see making the Round of 16 to be the top target. Baba Rahman opting out from the squad seems a bit complex around the G.F.A. but I won’t cover that here.

Injury update: Chris Hughton says Kudus had a small injury while Inaki Williams seems to need a rest after suffering from a mild condition. Other missing Ghanaian players are listed below

Meanwhile, Andre Ayew is on the verge of setting a record for most AFCON appearances.

 

Ghana Probable Lineup

Since his official appointment on 12/2/2023, the manager Chris Hughton sticks more with a 4-2-3-1 formation. Considering the injured/missing players out, this could be how the Black Stars lineup going forward. Partey will really be a big miss in the midfield.

A Ghanaian fan @Flairinho21 revealed that Hughton could go for this – “4-2-3-1/4-4-2 turning into a 3-2-5 in possession probably with Amartey-Salisu-Seidu back three, (Abdul Samed) Salis and Majeed(Ashimeru)/Elisha (Owusu) double pivot, Gideon Mensah and Jordan(Ayew)/(Osman)Bukari holding the width, Kudus RHS, (Ernest) Nuamah/(Jordan) Paintsil LHS and Inaki (Williams) up top. ”

Note: RHS – Right Halves, LHS – Left Halves.


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Best Ghana AFCON Fantasy Assets

 

Nailed Players

Mohammed Kudus (9.5m), J Ayew (6m)

Fairly Nailed (play 70+ mins or start 2/3 group games)

G Mensah (4.5m), A Seidu (4.5m), I Williams (7.5m)

Rotation Risk

A Semenyo (5m), A Ayew (5.5m)

Not sure who Chris Hughton will trust in goal as the manager tends to rotate keepers at will.

 

Summary

Even with not-so-exciting news around the Ghanaian team. When there is a will, there is a way. The Black Stars are still tipped to do well this AFCON 2023 campaign and get to the latter stages. I really won’t be considering any fantasy assets besides Mo Kudus for now.

You can find additional AFCON 2024 Fantasy resources here.

AFCON Fantasy Football, Fantasy Football, FEATURED

AFCON Fantasy Team Preview – Egypt

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AFCON Fantasy is here and the FPL Manual shares his thoughts on Egypt’s national football team, their best players to consider, and predicted XI for AFCON 2024.

Team Profile

  • Name – Egypt
  • Nickname – الفراعنة (The Pharaohs)
  • Current World ranking – 33rd (5th in Africa)

Egypt previously hosted the African Cup of Nations in 1959, 1974, 1986, and 2006 and have claimed seven AFCON victories. The Pharaohs are the most successful team in the African Cup of Nations and are the only team to win it three times in a row (2006, 2008, and 2010). No other nation in the history of the tournament has been able to break that record.

 

Egypt’s Road to AFCON

Egypt’s journey to AFCON 2023 started back in June 2022 with a crucial 1-0 home win against Guinea and ended with a 1-0 win at home to Ethiopia. The Pharaohs were fantastic in Group D (5 wins, 1 loss) scoring 10 goals, conceding only three goals.

 

Egypt’s Top AFCON Qualifier Performers

  • Mo Salah – 2 goals
  • Mostafa Mohamed – 2 goals
  • Marmoush, Zizo, Terzeguet, Fathi – 1 goal

El-Shenawy – 4 Clean sheets

Recent form: In their last 10 games, Egypt have eight wins, one draw, and one defeat in 2023.

Mo Salah is on pens, free kicks & corners for Egypt⭐️

 

Egypt Team News

Official Egypt Team for AFCON 2023

Dropped players: Aly Gabr, Gaber, A Ashraf, Nabil Aly, Mahmoud Alaa, and Karim Ramadan are only but a few players who did not make the final squad for Egypt.

Probable lineup: Since his official appointment on 12/7/2022, The gaffer Rui Vitória tends to use either of the 4-2-3-1, 4-1-3-2 and 4-3-3 shape. However, the 4-3-3 formation seems to be the most consistent one and this could be how Egypt lineup for the competition.

Before I reel out the fantasy picks, a Pharaoh fan @MOAubaaa points out that:

  • “Trezeguet, Marmoush, and Zizo are fighting for two spots.
  • “I think Zizo is taking one of them in the center so I would avoid Trezeguet and Marmoush.”
  • “Salah and Mostafa Mohammed are both nailed.”

Best Egypt AFCON Fantasy Assets

 

Nailed Players

El-Shenawy (5m), Salah (12m), Mostafa Mohamed (7m)

Fairly Nailed (play 70+ mins or start 2/3 group games)

Marmoush (9m), Zizo (7m), Elneny (5.5m)

Rotation Risk

Terzeguet (8m), M Fathi (5.5m), M Hamada (5m)

 

Summary

Coming into this tournament as strong favourites to win, The Pharaohs are quite a violent storm to tame. Starting Matchday 1 against Group B rivals Mozambique, Mo Salah, El-Shenawy, and Mostafa Mohamed are the top RealFevr Africa Fantasy assets to have.

You can find additional AFCON 2024 Fantasy resources here.