The greatest football showpiece in Africa is just around the corner. AFCON 2024- The 34TH edition is set to get underway from January 13 to February 11 in Ivory Coast.
That being said, a total of 24 teams will take to stage to fight for the coveted continental silverware.
Sports Flash picks their Dark horse in the annual tourney.
Among the 24 teams, Mali is the team to keep an eye on. Participating in what will be their ninth consecutive AFCON appearance and a total of twelve appearances, Mali will be salivating at the prospect of lifting their maiden AFCON title since they boast one of the most illustrious midfielders in the tournament.
Amadou Haidara
Having overcome a muscular injury at the start of the 2023-24 season, the 25-year-old has been at the heart of RB Leipzig’s midfield. Together with his club teammates Kevin Kampl, and Emil Forsberg, they have been marshalling Leipzig’s midfield.
Inspired by his great form at the club level, Haidara will be hoping to replicate his midfield nuance in the national sphere.
Yves Bissouma
He has been one of the players of the season thus far in the Premier League. This goes to show the class of the Tottenham Hotspur’s midfielder general. Barring his tainted disciplinary record in the Premier League, Bissouma is having a season of his life.
With his defensive prowess, technical ability, vision, and physicality Bissouma will be a force to reckon with in Mali’s center of the park.
Kamory Doumbia
Talking of midfielders with an eye for scoring goals, this is the perfect client. The Brest midfielder has been on a fine scoring form in the national team. In the last three national team matches, Doumbia has found the back of the net on each occasion.
Will the defensive security from Haidara, the control from Bissouma, and the lethal nature of Doumbia, Mali be expected to control the midfield against any opposition.
Injuries to key players such as Cheick Doucoure have been detrimental to Eric Chelle’s plans, but Mali still boasts a gigantic midfield.
Mali is in the same group as South Africa, Namibia, and Tunisia termed by many as a potential Group of Death.
