AFCON 2021 PREVIEW: A cursory look at teams in Group B

Africa’s Flagship football competition; the Africa Cup of Nations kicks off on Sunday in Cameroon.

As part of our coverage of the latest edition of the biennial tournament, FMiG takes readers through a perfunctory journey across the various groups.

The focus of this piece is one Group B.

Fixtures

Monday, 10 January; Senegal v Zimbabwe, Guinea v Malawi

Friday, 14 January: Senegal v Guinea, Malawi v Zimbabwe

Tuesday, 18 January: Malawi v Senegal, Zimbabwe v Guinea

SENEGAL

Appearance: 16th

Best finish: Runners-up (2002 and 2019)

Coach: Aliou Cisse

Captain: Kalidou Koulibaly

Fifa ranking: 20

Nickname: Lions of Teranga

Senegal

After reaching the final of the last AFCON, the Terenga Lions will be hoping to clinch the ultimate this time around.

Senegal come into this year’s event as big favourites and they have every right to be given that tag considering the performances they have churned out in the last few years on the continent.

Alou Cisse will be hoping his galaxy of stars will live up to the billing.

The likes of Sadio Mane, Edouard Mendy, Ismaila Sarr , Kalidou Koulibalu and Cheik Kouyate will be looking to lift the title this time around.

This tournament is the best opportunity for this current generation to lift the the ultimate

MALAWI

Appearance: Third

Best finish: Group stage (1984, 2010)

Head of technical panel: Mario Marinica

Captain: John Banda

Fifa ranking: 129

Nickname: The Flames

Malawi will be making an appearance at the continental showpiece after over a decade of absence.

The last time the Flames made an appearance at the AFCON was in 2010 in Angola.

Having missed the last five edition, Malawi will be hoping to prove a point this time around.

This will be their third appearance at AFCON showpiece, in the previous two they have played in, they have failed to go past the group stage.

Meck Mwase, who qualified the Flames the showpiece has been demoted to the assistant coach after failing winning only one of the six games in the world Cup qualifiers.

Mario Marinica has been tasked to lead the team to glory in Cameroon.

Sheriff Tiraspol midfielder Charles Petro, who is the only European-based player in the squad, will look to help his side with his experience upon their return to the competition.

Skipper John Banda is also expected to play a major role for the flames in the competition.

GUINEA

Appearance: 13th

Best finish: Runners-up (1976)

Coach: Kaba Diawara

Captain: Naby Keita

Fifa ranking: 81

Nickname: Syli National

Guinea

The 2021 Afcon will be Guinea’s 13th appearance at the continental showpiece with their best ever performance coming in 1976, when they finished as runners up.

The Syli National were knocked out of the previous tournament by the eventual winners Algeia in the one-eight stage.

Guinea will be relying heavily on the brilliance of their skipper Naby Keita if they want to achieve something in the tournament.

The Liverpool midfielder will be key for Kaba Diawara’s side in order to progress to the next stage of the competition.

They Guineans are coming to the tournament on a poor run of form failing to win a competitive game since March 2021.

ZIMBABWE

Appearance: 5th

Best finish: Group stage (2004, 2006, 2017, 2019)

Coach: Norman Mapeza

Captain: Knowledge Musona

Fifa ranking: 121

Nickname: The Warriors

Zimbabwe

The Warriors will be making their fifth AFCON appearance in Cameroon .

Zimbabwe’s last Afcon appearance saw them take home just one point in three games as they finished bottom, conceding six goals in the games they played.

Coach by Norman Mpenza, Zimbabwe will be hoping to change things around as they search for their first win in the AFCON since 2006.

Zimbabwe have huge injury concerns ahead of the tournament with Marvelous Nakamba (Aston Villa), Brendan Galloway (Plymouth) and Marshall Munetsi (Reims) all expected to miss the competition. The Warriors will also be without starman Khama Billiat, who has announced his retirement from international football.

They will be relying on the brilliance of Knowledge Musona and Tino Kadewere.