With the tournament getting underway in just over two weeks, we have put together a guide to some of the best, and perhaps lesser-known midfielders to watch at the Africa Cup of Nations 2023.
Midfielders to Watch at the Africa Cup of Nations 2023
Pape Matar Sarr – Senegal
Tottenham’s Pape Matar Sarr has gone from strength-to-strength this season as a key feature in Ange Postecoglou’s tactical overhaul.
The 21-year-old has been named in the starting XI for 78% of their Premier League matches, and his absence next month could not have come at a worse time for Spurs given the plague of injuries that has them in a stranglehold.
It is hard to pinpoint just what Sarr’s best position is given his broad range of abilities both in and out of possession, but has thrived as a roaming ‘eight’ with box-to-box stamina, providing infinitely more energy in the middle than his out-of-favour predecessor Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg.
Reigning champions Senegal, who are favoured by AFCON betting sites to retain their title, have what is almost certainly the pre-eminent squad at this year’s tournament.
A deep run is to be expected, and Sarr will be integral to this alongside fellow Premier League midfielder Idrissa Gueye. As far as midfield duos go, it is the perfect balance of battle-hardened experience and youthful exuberance.
His technical acumen, wispy physique and elite range of mobility combine to make a near-complete operative in the centre of the park.
Azzedine Ounahi – Morocco
Azzedine Ounahi may ring a bell following his outstanding campaign for Morocco at the 2022 World Cup, but after snubbing a long line of Premier League suitors in favour of a move to Marseille in January last year, little has been heard about him outside of France.
In recent weeks he has dropped to the bench by manager and former AC Milan brute Genaro Gattuso, with rumours of the club’s hierarchy being dissatisfied with his application beginning to surface in the French media.
Despite this, Ounahi relishes the chance to feature for his country, and at 23 he already has 21 caps to his name.
Aptly named Azzedine, a certain Zinedine Zidane springs to mind when not only hearing his name, but also when watching him elegantly glide across the turf with little exertion.
Being a nominee for the 2023 African Footballer of the Year should tell you all you need to know of his performances in Qatar, which have slipped your mind.
After dominating the Spanish midfield in the Round of 16, now-PSG manager then-La Roja boss Luis Enrique said: “My God, where does this guy come from? I was pleasantly surprised by their number eight.”
As second favourites across football betting sites, expect to see Ouhani feature a lot for Morocco across the tournament next to Manchester United’s Sofyan Amrabat.
Mohammed Kudus – Ghana
If you are unfamiliar with Mohammed Kudus this far into the season, I don’t know what to tell you.
Despite possessing one of the tournament’s most stacked squads, Ghana’s recent international record is littered with underwhelming performances and relative underachievement, in comparison to their heroics in 2010.
Nevertheless, there are high hopes for a Black Stars team boasting some of AFCON 2023’s most potent players. Not least West Ham’s Mohammed Kudus, who will be hoping to inspire his nation to their first Africa Cup of Nations triumph in 42 years.
Mohammed Kudus is such a baller pic.twitter.com/lwP80bBqXd
— 拉斯普京 (@UTDRasputin) December 28, 2023
Since making the switch to east London in the summer, the Ghanaian has formed a devastating trio with Jarrod Bowen and Lucas Paqueta, and the 23-year-old has four goals in last six as the Hammers finished their 2023 on a high at Arsenal.
He heads to his home continent as one of the leading Premier League players at AFCON 2023.
His fleet-footed abilities in tight areas and exceptional versatility across the forward line should see him play a starring role, as Ghana look to reclaim their title as a superpower on the African continent.
Lamine Camara – Senegal
2002 World Cup hero and now-manager Aliou Cisse is spoilt for choice when it comes to depth in this current Senegal side.
Undoubtedly one of the midfielders to watch at the Africa Cup of Nations this winter is Lamine Camara, the recently-turned 20-year-old will be featuring in his first major international tournament.
He has already made 15 appearances for Senegal in his formative years, returning four goals in the process. Camara has caught the eye for Ligue 1 side Metz since making the switch in February of last year, helping them gain promotion back to the top-flight and impressing at an elite level with a goal and two assists thus far.
Coming through the same academy as national hero Sadio Mane, he has the most key passes of any player aged 21 or under in France, as well as the second-most tackles won.
His sole Ligue 1 goal so far came in some style, as he launched a floating effort from inside his own half away at Monaco in October.
For a player who largely operates as an energetic, deep-lying midfielder, his two assists highlight his willingness to progress into advanced positions. His greatest strength lies in his defensive contribution however, and often displays a raw, unflagging desire to recover the ball. His powerful presence has been likened to 2023 AFCON teammate Idrissa Gueye, who he may partner in midfield on occasion.
Mohamed Camara – Mali
Although Mali aren’t expected to go deep into this year’s Africa Cup of Nations, they have a handful of talented players that are worth casting a keen eye over.
They are expected to progress through the group stage after a favourable draw, so fans could be treated to some special performances from Mohamed Camara, who has caught the attention of some of Europe’s elite clubs in recent campaigns.
After an impressive spell at RB Salzburg, Camara has elevated his game as an aggressive, one-vs-one specialist in the heart of Monaco’s midfield.
His ability to progress with the ball at his feet, and he insistency to rarely take more than two touches has caught the eye of Liverpool in particular, who are said to be long-time admirers of the 23-year-old.
Africa always has, and will continue to, produce an abundance of talent in the defensive midfield role, and Camara is the perfect example of this. With just under two tackles and a 92% pass completion rate per game in Ligue 1 this term, he possesses the kind of high-energy, dogged determination that could make Mali a surprise package at this year’s tournament.
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