Top African football expert Mamadou Gaye has said it will be a “very open” 2023 AFCON in Cote d’Ivoire so much so that the chances of the Super Eagles, Ghana and Mali winning the tournament cannot be dismissed.
SuperSport pundit Gaye said he will not be shocked if Senegal failed to retain the title they won in Cameroon last year and he also does not fancy the chances of hosts Cote d’Ivoire winning on home soil.
Africa’s five flag bearers at last year’s World Cup in Qatar – Ghana, Morocco, Senegal, Cameroon, Tunisia – will all feature in this edition of the competition.
“There are so many challengers (for the trophy). It will be an exciting tournament,” Gaye predicted.
“I don’t believe that Senegal will retain the title, I don’t believe that Cote d’Ivoire will win it because the door is wide open.
“It could be for Ghana to take it, Mali to take it, it could be for the Super Eagles. Don’t write off these countries because anything is possible.’
The 2023 AFCON will be played in Cote d’Ivoire between January 13 and February 11 next year.
