In the Mixer: 7 experts pick their AFCON 2023 winners
Content Editor at Free Super Tips, Alex was born in the shadow of Old Trafford and is an avid Man Utd fan. After graduating from university he combined his love of football, writing and betting to join FST and now closely follows goings-on in all of the top European leagues.
In The Mixer is FST’s weekly column where we catch up with our team of football betting experts and get their opinion on the hot topic of the week.
The Africa Cup of Nations begins this Saturday as hosts Ivory Coast begin their campaign against Guinea-Bissau.
With Premier League stars such as Mohamed Salah, Andre Onana and Nicolas Jackson among those featuring in the tournament, we asked seven experts their pick for the winner of the tournament.
The winner of the vote is priced up with Skybet below, where new customers can get up to £40 in free bets!
Morocco edge the vote for AFCON 2023
Joe Casey
Morocco reached the semi-finals of the World Cup just a year ago and they are well worth their place at the head of the market to win this year’s Africa Cup of Nations.
The Atlas Lions lost just once in 2023 and their solid defence looks likely to be the key to winning this tournament, in which keeping things tight at the back is crucial.
A back four of Achraf Hakimi, Nayef Aguerd, Romain Saiss and Noussair Mazraoui is undoubtedly the best at the tournament and from that foundation, they have enough attacking quality to win their first AFCON since 1976.
Gareth Freeman
AFCON looks wide open in 2024 but I think holders Senegal may have enough about them to record back-to-back wins, after finally claiming a maiden title in 2021.
The Lions of Teranga are strong in all areas with Kalidou Koulibaly anchoring the defence, Premier League pair Idrissa Gueye and Pape Sarr in midfield and Sadio Mane and Iliman Ndiaye in attack.
Metz midfielder Lamine Camara, 20, has bags of potential and is worth keeping an eye on – and Senegal may prove to be the team to beat in the Ivory Coast over the course of the next month.
Liam Flin
Senegal won AFCON two years ago but it could be argued their powers have waned since then with the likes of Kalidou Koulibaly and Sadio Mane not as fearsome as they were in the previous tournament.
Instead, I fancy Morocco to go the distance. Their run to the semi-finals of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar was no fluke as they took down Belgium, Canada, Spain and Portugal in succession and they have some serious talent in their ranks.
Flying full-back Achraf Hakimi, creative outlet Hakim Ziyech and forward Youssef En-Nesyri should all be feared in the Ivory Coast, where Morocco can lift the trophy for the first time since 1976.
Henry Hardwicke
You could make a sensible case for at least ten teams at the 2024 AFCON, but I would be against Morocco and pro Senegal. The hosts are the defending champions, having lifted the first AFCON two years ago and I think they look good value for back-to-back titles.
Sadio Mane, Kalidou Koulibaly and Idrissa Gueye are still very usual performers, Ismaïla Sarr and Nicolas Jackson are good attacking options and Pepe Sarr and Lamine Camara are developing talents.
I think there is enough strength in depth for Senegal to go well and the group-stage draw looks quite kind too.
Alex Hilton
Morocco are warm joint-favourites along with Senegal to rule the continent, and it is hard to see beyond a side who made it to the final four of the World Cup in Qatar just over a year ago.
The Atlas Lions are ranked 13th in the world, and they are the highest rated African nation in this year’s tournament.
A side containing the likes of Achraf Hakimi, Nouassair Mazaoui, Youssef En-Nesyri, Yassine Bounou and Hakim Ziyech will take some stopping, and it was only France who provided too good for Morocco at World Cup 2022, where they were 90 minutes away from the final.
Tom McGarry
Nigeria have underachieved significantly since lifting their third AFCON title in 2013, but there is arguably no team that possesses more talent at this year’s tournament than the Super Eagles.
It is attack where Nigeria boast the most quality, with Napoli ace Victor Osimhen and in-form Bayer Leverkusen forward Victor Boniface among the options for head coach Jose Peseiro.
With Premier League talent at the back in Calvin Bassey and Ola Aina, this could be Nigeria’s year and at double-digit odds to go all the way, they should also offer plenty of value.
Aaron Rogan
Morocco can win the Africa Cup of Nations for the first time since 1976 this year as they look to build on their World Cup success. Walid Regragui returned to take charge ahead of the tournament in Qatar, taking them to the last four.
Morocco beat top-quality opposition on their way to becoming the first African side to reach the semi-finals and they’ve continued to impress. They suffered only one defeat across 2023, a year which started with a 2-1 win over Brazil. Their squad looks well-balanced and with tournament experience behind them they can go all the way.
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