2021 African Nations Cup Squads
2021 African Nations Cup Squads
Yiperi Papi 
It's on! 
No shaking, postponement or excuses.
Afcon 2021: The confirmed squads for the tournament
by ISMAEL KIYONGA
DECEMBER 25, 2021
Senegal players in pre-match customs
Ahead of the Africa Cup of Nations Cup tournament due to kick off in Cameroon on January 6, ten countries have confirmed their squads.
The 33rd edition of the continent’s most prime national team tournament was scheduled for this year but was pushed to 2022 due to the COVID19 pandemic.
With the pandemic in mind, nations have been given up to 28 players to name for the tournament unlike before where a maximum of 23 was under the regulations.
The nations that have confirmed squads are champions Algeria, 2019 runners up Senegal, hosts Cameroon, Ethiopia, Gambia, Cape Verde, Comoros, Guinea, Ivory Coast, Nigeria and Morocco.
Algerian players celebrate with the AFCON trophy in 2019
ALGERIA
Goalkeepers: Rais M’Bolhi (Ettifaq, Saudi Arabia), Alexandre Oukidja (Metz, France), Moustapha Zeghba (Damac, Saudi Arabia).
Defenders: Djameleddine Benlamri (Qatar SC, Qatar), Aissa Mandi (Villareal, Spain), Mohamed Amine Tougai, Ilyes Chetti, Abdelkader Bedrane (all Esperance, Tunisia), Ramy Bensebaini (Borussia Mönchengladbach, Germany), Youcef Atal (Nice, France), Houcine Benayada (Etoile du Sahel, Tunisia), Mohamed Reda Halaimia (Beerschot, Belgium), Mehdi Tahrat (Al Gharafa, Qatar)
Midfielders: Ismael Bennacer (AC Milan, Italy), Ramiz Zerrouki (FC Twente, Netherlands), Adem Zorgane (Charleroi, Belgium), Haris Belkebla (Brest, France), Sofiane Feghouli (Galatasaray, Turkey), Sofiane Bendebka (Al Fateh, Saudi Arabia).
Forwards: Riyad Mahrez (Manchester City, England), Adam Ounas (Napoli, Italy), Youcef Belaïli (Unattached), Said Benrahma (West Ham United, England), Yacine Brahimi (Al Rayyan, Qatar), Farid Boulaya (Metz, France), Islam Slimani (Lyon, France), Baghdad Bounedjah (Al Sadd, Qatar), and Mohamed Amine Amoura (Lugano, Switzerland).
Cameroon, AFCON 2017 Champions! Credit: © Kawowo Sports | AMINAH BABIRYE
CAMEROON
Goalkeepers: Simon Omossola (AS Vita Club, DR Congo), Devis Epassy (OFI Crete, Greece), Andre Onana (Ajax, Netherlands).
Defenders: Collins Fai (Standard Liege, Belgium), Olivier Mbaizo (Philadelphia Union, USA), Michael Ngadeu-Ngadjui (Gent, Belgium), JC Castelletto (Nantes, France), Harold Moukoudi (St Etienne, France), Enzo Ebosse (Angers, France), Ambroise Oyongo Bitolo (Montpellier, France), Jerome Onguene (Red Bull Salzburg, Austria), Nouhou Tolo (Seattle Sounders, USA).
Midfielders: Jean Onana Junior (Bordeaux, France), Malong Kunde (Olympiakos, Greece), Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa (Napoli, Italy), Samuel Gouet Oum (Mechelen, Belgium), Martin Hongla (Hellas Verona, Italy), James Lea Siliki (Middlesbrough, England), Yvan Neyou (St Etienne, France).
Forwards: Ignatius Ganago (Lens, France), Christian Bassogog (Shanghai Shenua, China), Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting (Bayern Munich, Germany), Stephane Bahoken (Angers, France), Karl Toko-Ekambi (Lyon, France), Moumi Ngamaleu (Young Boys, Switzerland), Vincent Aboubakar (Al Nasr, Saudi Arabia), Clinton Njie (Dinamo Moscow, Russia).
Cape Verde team that lost 1-0 to Uganda Cranes in Praia Credit: KAWOWO SPORTS
CAPE VERDE
Goalkeepers: Vozinha (AEL Limassol, Cyprus), Marcio da Rosa (Montalegre, Portugal), Keven Ramos (Mindelese, Cape Verde).
Defenders: Stopira (Fehervar, Hungary), Steven Fortes (Oostende, Belgium), Jeffry Fortes (De Graafschap, Netherlands), Steve Furtado (Beroe, Bulgaria), Roberto Lopes (Shamrock Rovers, Republic of Ireland), Joao Paulo Fernandes (Feirense, Portugal), Diney Borges (AS Far, Morocco), Ponck (Istanbul Basaksehir, Turkey), Dylan Tavares (Neuchatel Xamax, Switzerland).
Midfielders: Kenny Rocha (Oostende, Belgium), Nuno Borges (Casa Pia, Portugal), Patrick Andrade (Qarabag, Azerbaijan), Jamiro Monteior (Philadelphia Union, USA), Nenass (Aalesund, Norway), Marco Soares (Arouca, Portugal).
Forwards: Ryan Mendes (Al Nasr, UAE), Willy Semedo (Pafos, Cyprus), Gilson Tavares (Estoril-Praia, Portugal), Willis Furtado (FK Jerv, Norway), Julio Tavares (Al Faisaly, Saudi Arabia), Garry Rodrigues (Olympiakos, Greece), Lisandro Semedo (Fortuna Sittard, Netherlands), Djaniny Semedo (Trabzonsport, Turkey).
Comoros National Football Team
COMOROS
Goalkeepers: Salim Ben Boina (Endoume, France) Ali Ahamada (Unattached), Moyadh Ousseni (Frejus, France).
Defenders: Nadjim Abdou (FC Martigues, France), Bendjaloud Youssouf (Chateauroux, France), Abdallah Ali Mohamed (Stade Lausanne, Switzerland) Kassim Mdahoma (US Avranches, France), Younn Zahary (SO Cholet, France), Chaker Alhadhur (Ajaccio, France), Mohamed Youssouf (Ajaccio, France), Kassim Abdallah (Marignane Gignac, France).
Midfielders: Fouad Bachirou (Omonia Nicosia, Cyprus), Youssouf M’Changama (Guingamp, France), Yacine Bourhane (Go Ahead Eagles, Netherlands), Nakibou Aboubakari (FC Sete 34, France), Iyad Mohamed (Auxerre, France), Rafidine Abdullah (Stade Lausanne, Switzerland).
Forwards: Faiz Selemani (KV Kortrijk, Belgium), Mohamed El Fardou (Red Star Belgrade, Serbia), Nasser Chamed (Gaz Metan Medias, Romania), Ahmed Mogni (FC Annecy, France), Faiz Mattoir (SO Cholet, France), Ali M’Madi (SAS Epinal, France), Said Bakari (RKC Waalwijk, Netherlands), Moussa Djoumoi (AS Saint-Priest, France), Mohamed M’Changama (FC Nouadhibou, Mauritania).
Referees pose with Uganda Cranes captain Dennis Onyango before a Ethiopian game Credit: FUFA Media
ETHIOPIA
Goalkeepers: Teklemariam Shanko (Sidama Coffee, Ethiopia), Fasil Gebremichael (Bahir Dar Ketema, Ethiopia), Jemal Tassew (Adama Ketema, Ethiopia).
Defenders: Asrat Tunjo (Ethiopian Coffee, Ethiopia), Suleiman Hamid (St George, Ethiopia), Remedan Yesouf (Wolkite K, Ethiopia), Desta Yohannes (Adama K, Ethiopia), Aschalew Tamene (Fasil K, Ethiopia), Yared Bayeh (Fasil K, Ethiopia), Mignot Debebe (St George, Ethiopia), Menaf Awol (Bahir Dar K, Ethiopia).
Midfielders: Amanuel Yohannes (Ethiopian Coffee, Ethiopia), Gatuoch Panom (St George, Ethiopia), Shemeles Bekele (El Gouna, Egypt), Mesoud Mohammed (Jimma AJ, Ethiopia), Fitsum Alemu (Bahir Dar K, Ethiopia), Firew Solomon (Sidama Coffee, Ethiopia), Bezabeh Meleyou (Fasil K, Ethiopia).
Forwards: Abubeker Nassir (Ethiopian Coffee, Ethiopia), Getaneh Kebede (Wolkite K, Ethiopia), Amanuel Gebremichael (St George, Ethiopia), Shemeket Gugsa (Fasil K, Ethiopia), Mujib Kassim (JS Kabylie, Algeria), Mesfin Taffese (Hawassa K, Ethiopia), Dawa Hotessa (Adama K, Ethiopia).
THE GAMBIA
Goalkeepers: Baboucarr Gaye (Rot-Weiss Koblenz, Germany), Sheikh Sibi (Virtus Verona, Italy), Modou Jobe (Black Leopards, South Africa).
Defenders: Pa Modou Jagne (FC Dietikon, Switzerland), Omar Colley (Sampdoria, Italy), James Gomez (AC Horsens, Denmark), Noah Sonko Sundberg (Ostersund, Sweden), Bubacarr Sanneh (Unattached), Ibou Touray (Salford City, England), Saidy Janko (Real Valladolid, Spain), Mohammed Mbye (Solvesborg, Sweden).
Midfielders: Ebrima Sohna (Fortune FC, The Gambia), Dawda Ngum (Bronshoj, Denmark), Sulayman Marreh (Gent, Belgium), Ebrima Darboe (Roma, Italy), Yusupha Bobb (Piacenza, Italy), Ebou Adams (Forest Green Rovers, England), Musa Barrow (Bologna, Italy), Ablie Jallow (Seraing, Belgium), Steve Trawally (Ajman, UAE), Ebrima Colley (Spezia, Italy).
Forwards: Lamin Jallow (Fehervar, Hungary), Bubacarr Jobe (Norrby, Sweden), Assan Ceesay (FC Zurich, Switzerland), Muhammed Badamosi (Kortrijk, Belgium), Modou Barrow (Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors, South Korea), Dembo Darboe (Shakhtyor Soligorsk, Belarus), Yusupha Njie (Boavista, Portugal).
Guinea XI
GUINEA
Goalkeepers: Aly Keita (Ostersund, Sweden), Ibrahima Kone (Hibernians, Malta), Moussa Camara (Horoya, Guinea).
Defenders: Saidou Sow (St Etienne, France), Ibrahima Conte (Niort, France), Florentin Pogba (Sochaux, France), Ousmane Kante (Paris FC, France), Mohamed Aly Camara (Young Boys, Switzerland), Pa Konate (Botev Plovdiv, Bulgaria), Issiaga Sylla (Toulouse, France), Antoine Conte (Universitatea Craiova, Romania), Mikael Dyrestam (Sarpsborg 08, Norway).
Midfielders: Amadou Diawara (Roma, Italy), Ibrahima Cisse (Seriang, Belgium), Mory Konate (Sint-Truidense, Belgium), Ibrahima Sory Conte (Bnei Sakhnin, Israel), Ilaix Moriba (RB Leipzig), Mamadou Kane (Neftci, Azerbaijan), Morlaye Sylla (Horoya, Guinea), Aguibou Camara (Olympiakos, Greece), Naby Keita (Liverpool, England).
Forwards: Seydouba Soumah (Kuwait SC, Kuwait), Morgan Guilavogui (Paris FC, France), Mamadou Diallo (Grenoble, France), Jose Kante (Kairat, Kazakhstan), Mohamed Bayo (Clermont France), Sory Kaba (OH Leuven, Belgium).
Cote D’Ivoire team
IVORY COAST
Goalkeepers: Sylvain Gbohouo (Wolkite Ketema, Ethiopia), Badra Ali Sangare (JDR Stars, South Africa), Abdoul Karim Cisse (Asec Mimosas, Ivory Coast), Ira Eliezer Tape (San Pedro, Ivory Coast).
Defenders: Serge Aurier (Villarreal, Spain), Eric Bailly (Manchester United, England), Willy Boly (Wolverhampton Wanderers, England), Wilfried Kanon (Pyramids, Egypt), Odilon Kossounou (Bayer Leverkusen, Germany), Simon Deli (Adana Demirspor, Turkey), Ghislain Konan (Reims, France).
Midfielders: Habib Maiga (Metz, France), Maxwel Cornet (Burnley, England), Serey Die (Sion, Switzerland), Ibrahim Sangare (PSV Eindhoven, Netherlands), Jean-Daniel Akpa Akpro (Lazio, Italy), Franck Kessie (AC Milan, Italy), Hamed Traore and Jeremie Boga (both Sassuolo, Italy), Max Gradel (Sivasspor, Turkey), Jean Michael Seri (Fulham, England).
Forwards: Wilfried Zaha (Crystal Palace, England), Jean Evrard Kouassi (Trabzonspor, Turkey), Nicolas Pepe (Arsenal, England), Sebastien Haller (Ajax, Netherlands), Christian Kouame (Anderlecht, Belgium), Yohan Boli (Al-Rayyan, Qatar), Karim Konate (Asec Mimosas, Ivory Coast).
Morocco at 2019 afcon in Egypt
MOROCCO
Goalkeepers: Yassine Bounou (Sevilla, Spain), Monir El Kajoui, Hatayspor, Turkey), Anas Zniti (Raja Casablanca, Morocco)
Defenders: Achraf Hakimi (Paris Saint-Germain, France), Sofiane Alakouch (Metz, France), Souffian El Karouani (NEC Nijmegen, Netherlands), Adam Masina (Watford, England), Sofian Chakla (OH Leuven, Belgium), Samy Mmaee (Ferencvaros, Hungary), Romain Saiss (Wolves, England), Nayef Aguerd (Rennes, France).
Midfielders: Aymen Barkok (Eintracht Frankfurt, Germany), Sofyan Amrabat (Fiorentina, Italy), Faycal Fajr (Sivaspor, Turkey), Azzedine Ounahi (Angers, France), Ilias Chair (QPR, England), Imran Louza (Watford, England), Selim Amallah (Standard Liege, Belgium).
Forwards: Munir El Haddadi (Sevilla, Spain), Zakaria Aboukhlal (AZ Alkmaar, Netherlands), Abdessamad Ezzalzouli (Barcelona, Spain), Sofiane Boufal (Angers, France), Ryan Mmaee (Ferencvaros, Hungary), Youssef En-Nesyri (Sevilla, Spain), Ayoub El Kaabi (Hatayspor, Turkey).
SENEGAL
Goalkeepers: Edouard Mendy (Chelsea, England), Alfred Gomis (Rennes, France), Seny Dieng (Queens Park Rangers, England).
Defenders: Bouna Sarr (Bayern Munich, Germany), Saliou Ciss (Nancy, France), Kalidou Koulibaly (Napoli, Italy), Pape Abou Cisse (Olympiakos, Greece), Abdoulaye Seck (Royal Antwerp, Belgium), Abdou Diallo (Paris Saint-Germain, France), Ibrahima Mbaye (Bologna, Italy), Fode Ballo-Toure (AC Milan, Italy), Cheikhou Kouyate (Crystal Palace, England).
Midfielders: Pape Matar Sarr (Metz, France), Pape Gueye (Marseille, France), Nampalys Mendy (Leicester City, England), Idrissa Gana Gueye (Paris Saint-Germain, France), Moustapha Name (Paris FC, France), Mamadou Loum (Alaves, Spain), Joseph Lopy (Sochaux, France).
Forwards: Boulaye Dia (Villarreal, Spain), Sadio Mane (Liverpool, England), Habib Diallo (Strasbourg, France), Bamba Dieng (Marseille, France), Ismaila Sarr (Watford, England), Famara Diedhiou (Alanyaspor, Turkey), Mame Baba Thiam (Kayserispor, Turkey), Keita Balde (Cagliari, Italy).
NIGERIA
Goalkeepers: Francis Uzoho (AC Omonia, Cyprus); John Noble (Enyimba FC); Daniel Akpeyi (Kaizer Chiefs, South Africa); Maduka Okoye (Sparta Rotterdam, Netherlands)
Defenders: Chidozie Awaziem (Alanyaspor FC, Turkey); Kenneth Omeruo (CD Leganes, Spain); Leon Balogun (Glasgow Rangers, Scotland); William Troost-Ekong (Watford FC, England); Olaoluwa Aina (Torino FC, Italy); Jamilu Collins (SC Padeborn 07, Germany); Abdullahi Shehu (AC Omonia, Cyprus); Zaidu Sanusi (FC Porto, Portugal); Olisa Ndah (Orlando Pirates, South Africa)
Midfielders: Frank Onyeka (Brentford FC, England); Joseph Ayodele-Aribo (Glasgow Rangers, Scotland); Wilfred Ndidi (Leicester City, England); Chidera Ejuke (CSKA Moscow, Russia); Kelechi Nwakali (SD Huesca, Spain)
Forwards: Ahmed Musa (Fatih Karagumruk, Turkey); Samuel Chukwueze (Villarreal FC, Spain); Victor Osimhen (Napoli FC, Italy); Moses Simon (FC Nantes, France); Sadiq Umar (UD Almeria, Spain); Taiwo Awoniyi (Union Berlin, Germany); Odion Jude Ighalo (Al-Shabab Riyadh, Saudi Arabia); Alex Iwobi (Everton FC, England); Kelechi Iheanacho (Leicester City, England); Emmanuel Dennis (Watford FC, England)
ISMAEL KIYONGA
[email protected]
Senior Staff writer at Kawowo Sports mainly covering football More by Ismael Kiyonga
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It's on! No shaking, postponement or excuses.
Afcon 2021: The confirmed squads for the tournament
by ISMAEL KIYONGA
DECEMBER 25, 2021
Senegal players in pre-match customs
Ahead of the Africa Cup of Nations Cup tournament due to kick off in Cameroon on January 6, ten countries have confirmed their squads.
The 33rd edition of the continent’s most prime national team tournament was scheduled for this year but was pushed to 2022 due to the COVID19 pandemic.
With the pandemic in mind, nations have been given up to 28 players to name for the tournament unlike before where a maximum of 23 was under the regulations.
The nations that have confirmed squads are champions Algeria, 2019 runners up Senegal, hosts Cameroon, Ethiopia, Gambia, Cape Verde, Comoros, Guinea, Ivory Coast, Nigeria and Morocco.
Algerian players celebrate with the AFCON trophy in 2019
ALGERIA
Goalkeepers: Rais M’Bolhi (Ettifaq, Saudi Arabia), Alexandre Oukidja (Metz, France), Moustapha Zeghba (Damac, Saudi Arabia).
Defenders: Djameleddine Benlamri (Qatar SC, Qatar), Aissa Mandi (Villareal, Spain), Mohamed Amine Tougai, Ilyes Chetti, Abdelkader Bedrane (all Esperance, Tunisia), Ramy Bensebaini (Borussia Mönchengladbach, Germany), Youcef Atal (Nice, France), Houcine Benayada (Etoile du Sahel, Tunisia), Mohamed Reda Halaimia (Beerschot, Belgium), Mehdi Tahrat (Al Gharafa, Qatar)
Midfielders: Ismael Bennacer (AC Milan, Italy), Ramiz Zerrouki (FC Twente, Netherlands), Adem Zorgane (Charleroi, Belgium), Haris Belkebla (Brest, France), Sofiane Feghouli (Galatasaray, Turkey), Sofiane Bendebka (Al Fateh, Saudi Arabia).
Forwards: Riyad Mahrez (Manchester City, England), Adam Ounas (Napoli, Italy), Youcef Belaïli (Unattached), Said Benrahma (West Ham United, England), Yacine Brahimi (Al Rayyan, Qatar), Farid Boulaya (Metz, France), Islam Slimani (Lyon, France), Baghdad Bounedjah (Al Sadd, Qatar), and Mohamed Amine Amoura (Lugano, Switzerland).
Cameroon, AFCON 2017 Champions! Credit: © Kawowo Sports | AMINAH BABIRYE
CAMEROON
Goalkeepers: Simon Omossola (AS Vita Club, DR Congo), Devis Epassy (OFI Crete, Greece), Andre Onana (Ajax, Netherlands).
Defenders: Collins Fai (Standard Liege, Belgium), Olivier Mbaizo (Philadelphia Union, USA), Michael Ngadeu-Ngadjui (Gent, Belgium), JC Castelletto (Nantes, France), Harold Moukoudi (St Etienne, France), Enzo Ebosse (Angers, France), Ambroise Oyongo Bitolo (Montpellier, France), Jerome Onguene (Red Bull Salzburg, Austria), Nouhou Tolo (Seattle Sounders, USA).
Midfielders: Jean Onana Junior (Bordeaux, France), Malong Kunde (Olympiakos, Greece), Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa (Napoli, Italy), Samuel Gouet Oum (Mechelen, Belgium), Martin Hongla (Hellas Verona, Italy), James Lea Siliki (Middlesbrough, England), Yvan Neyou (St Etienne, France).
Forwards: Ignatius Ganago (Lens, France), Christian Bassogog (Shanghai Shenua, China), Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting (Bayern Munich, Germany), Stephane Bahoken (Angers, France), Karl Toko-Ekambi (Lyon, France), Moumi Ngamaleu (Young Boys, Switzerland), Vincent Aboubakar (Al Nasr, Saudi Arabia), Clinton Njie (Dinamo Moscow, Russia).
Cape Verde team that lost 1-0 to Uganda Cranes in Praia Credit: KAWOWO SPORTS
CAPE VERDE
Goalkeepers: Vozinha (AEL Limassol, Cyprus), Marcio da Rosa (Montalegre, Portugal), Keven Ramos (Mindelese, Cape Verde).
Defenders: Stopira (Fehervar, Hungary), Steven Fortes (Oostende, Belgium), Jeffry Fortes (De Graafschap, Netherlands), Steve Furtado (Beroe, Bulgaria), Roberto Lopes (Shamrock Rovers, Republic of Ireland), Joao Paulo Fernandes (Feirense, Portugal), Diney Borges (AS Far, Morocco), Ponck (Istanbul Basaksehir, Turkey), Dylan Tavares (Neuchatel Xamax, Switzerland).
Midfielders: Kenny Rocha (Oostende, Belgium), Nuno Borges (Casa Pia, Portugal), Patrick Andrade (Qarabag, Azerbaijan), Jamiro Monteior (Philadelphia Union, USA), Nenass (Aalesund, Norway), Marco Soares (Arouca, Portugal).
Forwards: Ryan Mendes (Al Nasr, UAE), Willy Semedo (Pafos, Cyprus), Gilson Tavares (Estoril-Praia, Portugal), Willis Furtado (FK Jerv, Norway), Julio Tavares (Al Faisaly, Saudi Arabia), Garry Rodrigues (Olympiakos, Greece), Lisandro Semedo (Fortuna Sittard, Netherlands), Djaniny Semedo (Trabzonsport, Turkey).
Comoros National Football Team
COMOROS
Goalkeepers: Salim Ben Boina (Endoume, France) Ali Ahamada (Unattached), Moyadh Ousseni (Frejus, France).
Defenders: Nadjim Abdou (FC Martigues, France), Bendjaloud Youssouf (Chateauroux, France), Abdallah Ali Mohamed (Stade Lausanne, Switzerland) Kassim Mdahoma (US Avranches, France), Younn Zahary (SO Cholet, France), Chaker Alhadhur (Ajaccio, France), Mohamed Youssouf (Ajaccio, France), Kassim Abdallah (Marignane Gignac, France).
Midfielders: Fouad Bachirou (Omonia Nicosia, Cyprus), Youssouf M’Changama (Guingamp, France), Yacine Bourhane (Go Ahead Eagles, Netherlands), Nakibou Aboubakari (FC Sete 34, France), Iyad Mohamed (Auxerre, France), Rafidine Abdullah (Stade Lausanne, Switzerland).
Forwards: Faiz Selemani (KV Kortrijk, Belgium), Mohamed El Fardou (Red Star Belgrade, Serbia), Nasser Chamed (Gaz Metan Medias, Romania), Ahmed Mogni (FC Annecy, France), Faiz Mattoir (SO Cholet, France), Ali M’Madi (SAS Epinal, France), Said Bakari (RKC Waalwijk, Netherlands), Moussa Djoumoi (AS Saint-Priest, France), Mohamed M’Changama (FC Nouadhibou, Mauritania).
Referees pose with Uganda Cranes captain Dennis Onyango before a Ethiopian game Credit: FUFA Media
ETHIOPIA
Goalkeepers: Teklemariam Shanko (Sidama Coffee, Ethiopia), Fasil Gebremichael (Bahir Dar Ketema, Ethiopia), Jemal Tassew (Adama Ketema, Ethiopia).
Defenders: Asrat Tunjo (Ethiopian Coffee, Ethiopia), Suleiman Hamid (St George, Ethiopia), Remedan Yesouf (Wolkite K, Ethiopia), Desta Yohannes (Adama K, Ethiopia), Aschalew Tamene (Fasil K, Ethiopia), Yared Bayeh (Fasil K, Ethiopia), Mignot Debebe (St George, Ethiopia), Menaf Awol (Bahir Dar K, Ethiopia).
Midfielders: Amanuel Yohannes (Ethiopian Coffee, Ethiopia), Gatuoch Panom (St George, Ethiopia), Shemeles Bekele (El Gouna, Egypt), Mesoud Mohammed (Jimma AJ, Ethiopia), Fitsum Alemu (Bahir Dar K, Ethiopia), Firew Solomon (Sidama Coffee, Ethiopia), Bezabeh Meleyou (Fasil K, Ethiopia).
Forwards: Abubeker Nassir (Ethiopian Coffee, Ethiopia), Getaneh Kebede (Wolkite K, Ethiopia), Amanuel Gebremichael (St George, Ethiopia), Shemeket Gugsa (Fasil K, Ethiopia), Mujib Kassim (JS Kabylie, Algeria), Mesfin Taffese (Hawassa K, Ethiopia), Dawa Hotessa (Adama K, Ethiopia).
THE GAMBIA
Goalkeepers: Baboucarr Gaye (Rot-Weiss Koblenz, Germany), Sheikh Sibi (Virtus Verona, Italy), Modou Jobe (Black Leopards, South Africa).
Defenders: Pa Modou Jagne (FC Dietikon, Switzerland), Omar Colley (Sampdoria, Italy), James Gomez (AC Horsens, Denmark), Noah Sonko Sundberg (Ostersund, Sweden), Bubacarr Sanneh (Unattached), Ibou Touray (Salford City, England), Saidy Janko (Real Valladolid, Spain), Mohammed Mbye (Solvesborg, Sweden).
Midfielders: Ebrima Sohna (Fortune FC, The Gambia), Dawda Ngum (Bronshoj, Denmark), Sulayman Marreh (Gent, Belgium), Ebrima Darboe (Roma, Italy), Yusupha Bobb (Piacenza, Italy), Ebou Adams (Forest Green Rovers, England), Musa Barrow (Bologna, Italy), Ablie Jallow (Seraing, Belgium), Steve Trawally (Ajman, UAE), Ebrima Colley (Spezia, Italy).
Forwards: Lamin Jallow (Fehervar, Hungary), Bubacarr Jobe (Norrby, Sweden), Assan Ceesay (FC Zurich, Switzerland), Muhammed Badamosi (Kortrijk, Belgium), Modou Barrow (Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors, South Korea), Dembo Darboe (Shakhtyor Soligorsk, Belarus), Yusupha Njie (Boavista, Portugal).
Guinea XI
GUINEA
Goalkeepers: Aly Keita (Ostersund, Sweden), Ibrahima Kone (Hibernians, Malta), Moussa Camara (Horoya, Guinea).
Defenders: Saidou Sow (St Etienne, France), Ibrahima Conte (Niort, France), Florentin Pogba (Sochaux, France), Ousmane Kante (Paris FC, France), Mohamed Aly Camara (Young Boys, Switzerland), Pa Konate (Botev Plovdiv, Bulgaria), Issiaga Sylla (Toulouse, France), Antoine Conte (Universitatea Craiova, Romania), Mikael Dyrestam (Sarpsborg 08, Norway).
Midfielders: Amadou Diawara (Roma, Italy), Ibrahima Cisse (Seriang, Belgium), Mory Konate (Sint-Truidense, Belgium), Ibrahima Sory Conte (Bnei Sakhnin, Israel), Ilaix Moriba (RB Leipzig), Mamadou Kane (Neftci, Azerbaijan), Morlaye Sylla (Horoya, Guinea), Aguibou Camara (Olympiakos, Greece), Naby Keita (Liverpool, England).
Forwards: Seydouba Soumah (Kuwait SC, Kuwait), Morgan Guilavogui (Paris FC, France), Mamadou Diallo (Grenoble, France), Jose Kante (Kairat, Kazakhstan), Mohamed Bayo (Clermont France), Sory Kaba (OH Leuven, Belgium).
Cote D’Ivoire team
IVORY COAST
Goalkeepers: Sylvain Gbohouo (Wolkite Ketema, Ethiopia), Badra Ali Sangare (JDR Stars, South Africa), Abdoul Karim Cisse (Asec Mimosas, Ivory Coast), Ira Eliezer Tape (San Pedro, Ivory Coast).
Defenders: Serge Aurier (Villarreal, Spain), Eric Bailly (Manchester United, England), Willy Boly (Wolverhampton Wanderers, England), Wilfried Kanon (Pyramids, Egypt), Odilon Kossounou (Bayer Leverkusen, Germany), Simon Deli (Adana Demirspor, Turkey), Ghislain Konan (Reims, France).
Midfielders: Habib Maiga (Metz, France), Maxwel Cornet (Burnley, England), Serey Die (Sion, Switzerland), Ibrahim Sangare (PSV Eindhoven, Netherlands), Jean-Daniel Akpa Akpro (Lazio, Italy), Franck Kessie (AC Milan, Italy), Hamed Traore and Jeremie Boga (both Sassuolo, Italy), Max Gradel (Sivasspor, Turkey), Jean Michael Seri (Fulham, England).
Forwards: Wilfried Zaha (Crystal Palace, England), Jean Evrard Kouassi (Trabzonspor, Turkey), Nicolas Pepe (Arsenal, England), Sebastien Haller (Ajax, Netherlands), Christian Kouame (Anderlecht, Belgium), Yohan Boli (Al-Rayyan, Qatar), Karim Konate (Asec Mimosas, Ivory Coast).
Morocco at 2019 afcon in Egypt
MOROCCO
Goalkeepers: Yassine Bounou (Sevilla, Spain), Monir El Kajoui, Hatayspor, Turkey), Anas Zniti (Raja Casablanca, Morocco)
Defenders: Achraf Hakimi (Paris Saint-Germain, France), Sofiane Alakouch (Metz, France), Souffian El Karouani (NEC Nijmegen, Netherlands), Adam Masina (Watford, England), Sofian Chakla (OH Leuven, Belgium), Samy Mmaee (Ferencvaros, Hungary), Romain Saiss (Wolves, England), Nayef Aguerd (Rennes, France).
Midfielders: Aymen Barkok (Eintracht Frankfurt, Germany), Sofyan Amrabat (Fiorentina, Italy), Faycal Fajr (Sivaspor, Turkey), Azzedine Ounahi (Angers, France), Ilias Chair (QPR, England), Imran Louza (Watford, England), Selim Amallah (Standard Liege, Belgium).
Forwards: Munir El Haddadi (Sevilla, Spain), Zakaria Aboukhlal (AZ Alkmaar, Netherlands), Abdessamad Ezzalzouli (Barcelona, Spain), Sofiane Boufal (Angers, France), Ryan Mmaee (Ferencvaros, Hungary), Youssef En-Nesyri (Sevilla, Spain), Ayoub El Kaabi (Hatayspor, Turkey).
SENEGAL
Goalkeepers: Edouard Mendy (Chelsea, England), Alfred Gomis (Rennes, France), Seny Dieng (Queens Park Rangers, England).
Defenders: Bouna Sarr (Bayern Munich, Germany), Saliou Ciss (Nancy, France), Kalidou Koulibaly (Napoli, Italy), Pape Abou Cisse (Olympiakos, Greece), Abdoulaye Seck (Royal Antwerp, Belgium), Abdou Diallo (Paris Saint-Germain, France), Ibrahima Mbaye (Bologna, Italy), Fode Ballo-Toure (AC Milan, Italy), Cheikhou Kouyate (Crystal Palace, England).
Midfielders: Pape Matar Sarr (Metz, France), Pape Gueye (Marseille, France), Nampalys Mendy (Leicester City, England), Idrissa Gana Gueye (Paris Saint-Germain, France), Moustapha Name (Paris FC, France), Mamadou Loum (Alaves, Spain), Joseph Lopy (Sochaux, France).
Forwards: Boulaye Dia (Villarreal, Spain), Sadio Mane (Liverpool, England), Habib Diallo (Strasbourg, France), Bamba Dieng (Marseille, France), Ismaila Sarr (Watford, England), Famara Diedhiou (Alanyaspor, Turkey), Mame Baba Thiam (Kayserispor, Turkey), Keita Balde (Cagliari, Italy).
NIGERIA
Goalkeepers: Francis Uzoho (AC Omonia, Cyprus); John Noble (Enyimba FC); Daniel Akpeyi (Kaizer Chiefs, South Africa); Maduka Okoye (Sparta Rotterdam, Netherlands)
Defenders: Chidozie Awaziem (Alanyaspor FC, Turkey); Kenneth Omeruo (CD Leganes, Spain); Leon Balogun (Glasgow Rangers, Scotland); William Troost-Ekong (Watford FC, England); Olaoluwa Aina (Torino FC, Italy); Jamilu Collins (SC Padeborn 07, Germany); Abdullahi Shehu (AC Omonia, Cyprus); Zaidu Sanusi (FC Porto, Portugal); Olisa Ndah (Orlando Pirates, South Africa)
Midfielders: Frank Onyeka (Brentford FC, England); Joseph Ayodele-Aribo (Glasgow Rangers, Scotland); Wilfred Ndidi (Leicester City, England); Chidera Ejuke (CSKA Moscow, Russia); Kelechi Nwakali (SD Huesca, Spain)
Forwards: Ahmed Musa (Fatih Karagumruk, Turkey); Samuel Chukwueze (Villarreal FC, Spain); Victor Osimhen (Napoli FC, Italy); Moses Simon (FC Nantes, France); Sadiq Umar (UD Almeria, Spain); Taiwo Awoniyi (Union Berlin, Germany); Odion Jude Ighalo (Al-Shabab Riyadh, Saudi Arabia); Alex Iwobi (Everton FC, England); Kelechi Iheanacho (Leicester City, England); Emmanuel Dennis (Watford FC, England)
ISMAEL KIYONGA
[email protected]
Senior Staff writer at Kawowo Sports mainly covering football More by Ismael Kiyonga
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https://kawowo.com/2021/12/25/afcon-202 ... ournament/
“If your opponent is of choleric temper, seek to irritate him. Pretend to be weak, that he may grow arrogant.”- Sun Tzu
Re: 2021 African Nations Cup Squads
“If your opponent is of choleric temper, seek to irritate him. Pretend to be weak, that he may grow arrogant.”- Sun Tzu
Re: 2021 African Nations Cup Squads
Roberto Lopes: Shamrock Rovers man set for Afcon after Cape Verde call-up via LinkedIn
29 December 2021
By Mark GleesonFootball writer
Sport Africa
Roberto Lopes in action for Shamrock Rovers
Dublin-born defender Roberto Lopes has improbably become an international regular for Cape Verde
When Ireland-born Ayman Ben Mohamed got a surprise call-up to play for Tunisia, his colleague Roberto Lopes, a team-mate at Dublin club Bohemians, joked that he too could become an African international.
Back in May 2016, Lopes was not being serious. Yet more than five years later, he is about to compete at the Africa Cup of Nations, which kick off in Cameroon next month.
Born in the Irish capital to a Cape Verdean father and Irish mother, the defender had no thoughts of competing for the small archipelago until Ben Mohamed's call-up.
"He was having a really good season and then he got called up after declaring for Tunisia," Lopes told BBC Sport Africa.
"I was doing an interview and joking that I, too, could become an international because I was from Cape Verde, and I was going to get the paperwork done for that.
"There was a journalist who took it a bit further and contacted someone in the Cape Verde federation but nothing materialised."
Afcon 2021: Cape Verde name squad for finals in Cameroon
But three years later, after his move to Shamrock Rovers and with the club competing in the Champions League and Europa League, Lopes got a message on his LinkedIn profile that set the ball rolling.
"I set up a profile when I was in college but never really looked at it," he said.
"I got a message from the then-coach Rui Aguas but he wrote to me in Portuguese. I just thought it was a spam message and I took no notice of it. And then about nine months later, he messaged me back, saying, 'Hi Roberto, have you had a chance to consider what I said to you?'
"I felt so rude for not having replied to him months earlier. I copied the message and put it into Google Translate. And it basically said: 'We're looking at getting new players into the Cape Verde squad and would you be interested in declaring for Cape Verde?'
"I was absolutely buzzing with that. I was like, 'Yep, 100% I'd love to be a part of the squad'."
The ice-breaking initiation
Roberto Lopes of Shamrock Rovers with his award for being named in the Premier Division team of the year at the 2021 PFA Ireland Awards
Roberto Lopes of Shamrock Rovers was named in the Premier Division team of the year at the 2021 PFA Ireland Awards
That started a paperwork trail that brought about a trip to Marseille, where the side was playing a friendly in October 2019 and where Lopes could meet his new team-mates for the first time.
It was not going to be easy. While his dad came from Cape Verde, and had been a chef on the ferries that service Ireland before settling permanently in Dublin, Lopes knew no Portuguese. They had not spoken it at home when he was growing up.
But it has become a thrilling adventure for the 29-year-old centre-back, who played every minute of Cape Verde's six 2022 World Cup qualifiers between September and November where they took Nigeria down to the wire in a bid to get to Africa's play-offs for Qatar.
Lopes also played in March's home win over Cameroon in the Nations Cup qualifiers to help his country book their place at the finals.
How did tiny Cape Verde turn themselves into a regular attendee at Afcon?
It was a first competitive international for him after the laborious process of switching his international allegiance. Lopes had represented the Republic of Ireland at youth level and had to formally apply to the Irish FA in order to declare for Cape Verde.
Then came concerns about a potential language barrier with his new team-mates, which proved to be unfounded.
"I was so nervous but once I went over, all the doubts and fears just went away because everyone made me feel so welcome," Lopes recalled.
"Team-mates would make the effort to come up to me and say: 'How are you getting on, doing OK?' And when you're on the pitch, football has its own language.
"I suppose what broke the ice was when I had to sing an initiation song. I had a day to prepare for it. I was on Spotify trying to search up Cape Verdean songs and the fact that I went up to sing a song in a different language after being there for 24 hours settled me in.
"I've been really, really lucky and that the group and the manager have obviously taken to me and trust me. But I've just tried to give my all every time I put on the jersey. I'm very proud to represent my family and Cape Verde. I just love being a part of it."
Lopes hopes for Cape Verde upsets
Cape Verde's islands have a population of just over half a million but most of the squad are, like Lopes, drawn from the diaspora - particularly from Portugal and the Netherlands.
"The one thing that stood out in training was the quality of players," Lopes said.
"There are some superstars like Garry Rodrigues, and Ryan Mendes, who has been around France's Ligue 1, and Steven Fortes and Kenny Rocha. But even the players who might be in the second division of Portugal, or in Cyprus, are really tough and technically strong.
"They're constantly pushing us to a different level. You take that away when you come back home [to your club]. If I want to improve, I need to be able to perform at those levels and so you try to bring your game to the next level."
Cape Verde's team to face Nigeria in November 2021
Lopes (back row, third from left) was an ever-present for Cape Verde in qualifying for the 2022 World Cup
Lopes is expected to be in the starting line-up at the Cup of Nations, where the islanders are in Group A against Burkina Faso, Ethiopia and hosts Cameroon.
"We want to get out of the group phase, of course," he said. "I don't think you can think about too much after that, because there are a lot of top teams that have qualified for this tournament.
"We're in a really strong group with Cameroon and Burkina Faso. I don't know too much about Ethiopia but if they are there, they are there on merit. The most important thing is that we approach the first game with the mentality that we need to win."
The Cape Verdeans play on the tournament's first day in Yaounde against Ethiopia, after the opening match between the Indomitable Lions and Burkina Faso at the new Olembe Stadium.
"We need to get out of our group before we can start hoping about the next rounds, quarter-finals and the like," Lopes added. "We want to cause a few upsets, and go as far and we possibly can."
https://www.bbc.com/sport/africa/59773218
29 December 2021
By Mark GleesonFootball writer
Sport Africa
Roberto Lopes in action for Shamrock Rovers
Dublin-born defender Roberto Lopes has improbably become an international regular for Cape Verde
When Ireland-born Ayman Ben Mohamed got a surprise call-up to play for Tunisia, his colleague Roberto Lopes, a team-mate at Dublin club Bohemians, joked that he too could become an African international.
Back in May 2016, Lopes was not being serious. Yet more than five years later, he is about to compete at the Africa Cup of Nations, which kick off in Cameroon next month.
Born in the Irish capital to a Cape Verdean father and Irish mother, the defender had no thoughts of competing for the small archipelago until Ben Mohamed's call-up.
"He was having a really good season and then he got called up after declaring for Tunisia," Lopes told BBC Sport Africa.
"I was doing an interview and joking that I, too, could become an international because I was from Cape Verde, and I was going to get the paperwork done for that.
"There was a journalist who took it a bit further and contacted someone in the Cape Verde federation but nothing materialised."
Afcon 2021: Cape Verde name squad for finals in Cameroon
But three years later, after his move to Shamrock Rovers and with the club competing in the Champions League and Europa League, Lopes got a message on his LinkedIn profile that set the ball rolling.
"I set up a profile when I was in college but never really looked at it," he said.
"I got a message from the then-coach Rui Aguas but he wrote to me in Portuguese. I just thought it was a spam message and I took no notice of it. And then about nine months later, he messaged me back, saying, 'Hi Roberto, have you had a chance to consider what I said to you?'
"I felt so rude for not having replied to him months earlier. I copied the message and put it into Google Translate. And it basically said: 'We're looking at getting new players into the Cape Verde squad and would you be interested in declaring for Cape Verde?'
"I was absolutely buzzing with that. I was like, 'Yep, 100% I'd love to be a part of the squad'."
The ice-breaking initiation
Roberto Lopes of Shamrock Rovers with his award for being named in the Premier Division team of the year at the 2021 PFA Ireland Awards
Roberto Lopes of Shamrock Rovers was named in the Premier Division team of the year at the 2021 PFA Ireland Awards
That started a paperwork trail that brought about a trip to Marseille, where the side was playing a friendly in October 2019 and where Lopes could meet his new team-mates for the first time.
It was not going to be easy. While his dad came from Cape Verde, and had been a chef on the ferries that service Ireland before settling permanently in Dublin, Lopes knew no Portuguese. They had not spoken it at home when he was growing up.
But it has become a thrilling adventure for the 29-year-old centre-back, who played every minute of Cape Verde's six 2022 World Cup qualifiers between September and November where they took Nigeria down to the wire in a bid to get to Africa's play-offs for Qatar.
Lopes also played in March's home win over Cameroon in the Nations Cup qualifiers to help his country book their place at the finals.
How did tiny Cape Verde turn themselves into a regular attendee at Afcon?
It was a first competitive international for him after the laborious process of switching his international allegiance. Lopes had represented the Republic of Ireland at youth level and had to formally apply to the Irish FA in order to declare for Cape Verde.
Then came concerns about a potential language barrier with his new team-mates, which proved to be unfounded.
"I was so nervous but once I went over, all the doubts and fears just went away because everyone made me feel so welcome," Lopes recalled.
"Team-mates would make the effort to come up to me and say: 'How are you getting on, doing OK?' And when you're on the pitch, football has its own language.
"I suppose what broke the ice was when I had to sing an initiation song. I had a day to prepare for it. I was on Spotify trying to search up Cape Verdean songs and the fact that I went up to sing a song in a different language after being there for 24 hours settled me in.
"I've been really, really lucky and that the group and the manager have obviously taken to me and trust me. But I've just tried to give my all every time I put on the jersey. I'm very proud to represent my family and Cape Verde. I just love being a part of it."
Lopes hopes for Cape Verde upsets
Cape Verde's islands have a population of just over half a million but most of the squad are, like Lopes, drawn from the diaspora - particularly from Portugal and the Netherlands.
"The one thing that stood out in training was the quality of players," Lopes said.
"There are some superstars like Garry Rodrigues, and Ryan Mendes, who has been around France's Ligue 1, and Steven Fortes and Kenny Rocha. But even the players who might be in the second division of Portugal, or in Cyprus, are really tough and technically strong.
"They're constantly pushing us to a different level. You take that away when you come back home [to your club]. If I want to improve, I need to be able to perform at those levels and so you try to bring your game to the next level."
Cape Verde's team to face Nigeria in November 2021
Lopes (back row, third from left) was an ever-present for Cape Verde in qualifying for the 2022 World Cup
Lopes is expected to be in the starting line-up at the Cup of Nations, where the islanders are in Group A against Burkina Faso, Ethiopia and hosts Cameroon.
"We want to get out of the group phase, of course," he said. "I don't think you can think about too much after that, because there are a lot of top teams that have qualified for this tournament.
"We're in a really strong group with Cameroon and Burkina Faso. I don't know too much about Ethiopia but if they are there, they are there on merit. The most important thing is that we approach the first game with the mentality that we need to win."
The Cape Verdeans play on the tournament's first day in Yaounde against Ethiopia, after the opening match between the Indomitable Lions and Burkina Faso at the new Olembe Stadium.
"We need to get out of our group before we can start hoping about the next rounds, quarter-finals and the like," Lopes added. "We want to cause a few upsets, and go as far and we possibly can."
https://www.bbc.com/sport/africa/59773218
“If your opponent is of choleric temper, seek to irritate him. Pretend to be weak, that he may grow arrogant.”- Sun Tzu
Re: 2021 African Nations Cup Squads
Zimbabwe’s participation remains in doubt after FIFA gave the country up to January 3 to re-instate the ZIFA executive committee which was suspended by the Sports and Recreation Commission, or face sanctions.
GOALKEEPERS:
Petros Mhari, Martin Mapisa, Talbert Shumba
DEFENDERS:
Peter Muduhwa, Alec Mudimu, Teenage Hadebe, Jordan Zemura, Godknows Murwira, Gerald Takwara, Gilroy Chimwemwe, Bruce Kangwa, Onismor Bhasera
MIDFIELDERS:
Kelvin Madzongwe, Thabani Kamusoko, Kudakwashe Mahachi, Ishmael Wadi, Never Tigere, Kundai Benyu
STRIKERS:
Admiral Muskwe, Prince Dube, David Moyo, Knowledge Musona, Tinotenda Kadewere
GOALKEEPERS:
Petros Mhari, Martin Mapisa, Talbert Shumba
DEFENDERS:
Peter Muduhwa, Alec Mudimu, Teenage Hadebe, Jordan Zemura, Godknows Murwira, Gerald Takwara, Gilroy Chimwemwe, Bruce Kangwa, Onismor Bhasera
MIDFIELDERS:
Kelvin Madzongwe, Thabani Kamusoko, Kudakwashe Mahachi, Ishmael Wadi, Never Tigere, Kundai Benyu
STRIKERS:
Admiral Muskwe, Prince Dube, David Moyo, Knowledge Musona, Tinotenda Kadewere