Barcelona defender Jules Kounde names 4 teams as AFCON favourites, snubs Nigeria

Jules Kounde has joined the ranks of bookmakers who have dismissed Nigeria's Super Eagles as one of the 2023 African Cup of Nations favourites.

The Barcelona defender, who spent his summer holidays on the continent, visiting Senegal and his father’s hometown, Benin Republic, acknowledges there are several good teams in the competition.

According to BSN Sports, Kounde listed defending champion Senegal, 2022 World Cup semi-finalist Morocco, Algeria, and host country Ivory Coast as the top favourites to win the cup.

“I see it quite open (the CAN). I think there are quite a few teams that can compete to win. Obviously, Senegal is one with a very good, young team, with managers who have a lot of experience.

“Above all, they are the reigning champions. Obviously, I think of teams like Morocco who performed very well at the World Cup. There are really good teams like Cameroon, Algeria, and also Ivory Coast who will be at home.”

24 teams will vie for Africa’s biggest football competition, which is set to kick off in the Ivory Coast from January 13 to February 11.

AFCON 2023 tickets go on sale

Meanwhile, according to the Confederation of African Football (CAF), Nigeria ranks fourth in terms of tickets bought ahead of the Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast next year, the PUNCH reports.

The data released on the football governing body X (formerly Twitter) handle, disclosed a total of 12,544 tickets have been purchased by different countries heading to the competition.

The host country, Ivory Coast, is in first place with 32,307 tickets sold, followed by Guinea-Bissau (28,614) and Equatorial Guinea (16,237) in second and third place, respectively.