One thing’s for sure – we wouldn’t like to be there instead of Sierra Leone and Equatorial Guinea. Two more than decent sides were placed in the AFCON 2021 Group E, alongside such greats like defending champions Algeria and one two-time winner Ivory Coast.All the matches of the group will take place in Douala, with the Algeria-Sierra Leone being the opening one on Tuesday, January 11. The Leone Stars and the National Thunder were exquisite during the qualifiers and rightfully earned their spot among the giants. So let’s have a thorough look at Group E and its participants.AlgeriaThere’s nothing so challenging out there like repeating a previous major success. And that’s the only thing that separates the Fennecs from another, second in a row AFCON title from our point of view. Because Riyad Mahrez and co. are in such a breathtaking streak of 34 international games without a loss. Moreover, they are only three games away from Italy’s world record, set up in 2021. 🇩🇿 Algeria players preparing for the 2021 AFCON tournament. 👀#TotalEnergiesAFCON2021 #Algeria pic.twitter.com/ifkUh2Z0DS— #AFCON2021 ✪ (@MickyJnr__) January 2, 2022 The titleholders are also counting on the valuable tricks of West Ham winger Said Benrahma and AC Milan midfielder Ismael Bennacer. Their main virtue will be their vast experience – 15 of the 23 players, including nine of the 11 starters, were also there two and a half years ago when Algeria won the tournament organized in Egypt. Nickname: The FennecsHead coach: Djamel BelmadiCaptain: Riyad MahrezFIFA ranking: 29##EDITORS_CHOICE##Ivory Coast It’s been long since that remarkable generation of the Elephants led by a legendary Didier Drogba. Anyhow, even then, they failed to win the AFCON until 2015. Now, with some promising new names, Ivory Coast are looking for a massive breakthrough.And to be fair – some heavy firepower they’ve got in their hands in the likes of Sebastien Haller, Frenk Kessie, Nicolas Pepe and Wilfried Zaha.Ivory Coast training in Saudi Arabia ahead of the Africa Cup of Nations.#AFCON2021 [🌠 @CRTV_web] pic.twitter.com/NSTOZFwnGb— #AFCON2021 (@EricNjiiru) January 4, 2022 They’re definitely one of the dark horses to win the competition but will face a severe challenge as soon as the tournament kicks off. If they finish the group stage as second, they’ll probably bump into Senegal in the 1/4 finals, so the Elephants will do their best to avoid such a scenario. Nickname: The Elephants Head coach: Patrice BeaumelleCaptain: Serge AurierFIFA ranking: 56AFCON 2021: Ghana and Morocco to be challenged by Gabon and debutants from ComorosSierra LeoneThis is their only third appearance at the AFCON, after two consecutive breakthroughs in 1994 and 1996. It’s been a long since then, and the Leone Stars will put on an enormous effort to make a statement on the big stage.Their star players are primarily featured in the English second and third-tier: Osman Kakay (QPR), Sullay Kaikai (Wycombe Wanderers), Idris Kanu (Peterborough United).Sierra Leone 🇸🇱 politician and philanthropist, Beresford Victor Williams just promised the National team $500,000 if they’re able to win the #AFCON2021 Sierra Leone are in Group with Algeria🇩🇿, Ivory Coast 🇨🇮 and Eq Guinea 🇬🇶.The last time they appeared at AFCON was in 1996. pic.twitter.com/P2fWJgKOcW— African Hub (@TheAfrican_Hub) January 7, 2022 Sierra Leone coach John Keister said he received death threats prior to naming his squad for the AFCON. The 51-year-old received two threats regarding the inclusion of certain players and reported them to the police. Nickname: The Leone Stars Head coach: John KeisterCaptain: Umaru BanguraFIFA ranking: 108AFCON 2021: Group F promises tantalising gamesEquatorial GuineaMiracles don’t happen every day. Nor every year. Nor on every AFCON. That’s a take for Equatorial Guinea, which lived its glory days back in 2015 when they finished fourth.This time, they’ll need more than wonder to leapfrog the favourites Ivory Coast and Algeria. 🇬🇶 Equatorial Guinea fans giving a very loud goodbye to La Roja.What a reception!pic.twitter.com/fC9ooE1V2B— African Insider (@African_Insider) January 5, 2022 Their squad is comprised almost exclusively of lower-league and ‘B’ team players, but Jesus Owono is a 20-year-old goalkeeper who has made a La Liga appearance for Alaves.Nickname: The National Thunder Head coach: Juan MichaCaptain: Emilio NsueFIFA ranking: 114AFRICA CUP OF NATIONSGroup ETuesday, 11 January16.00: (1.15) Algeria (8.50) Sierra Leone (25.0)Wednesday, 12 January22.00: (9.00) Equatorial Guinea (4.40) Ivory Coast (1.45)Sunday, 16 JanuaryAlgeria – Equatorial GuineaIvory Coast – Sierra LeoneThursday, 20 JanuaryIvory Coast – AlgeriaSierra Leone – Equatorial Guinea***odds are subject to change
