As the Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign reaches its midpoint, the 48 teams competing in the group stage are gearing up for a thrilling ride. With the field beginning to take shape for next year’s tournament in Morocco, there’s no shortage of captivating storylines to explore.
One of the most intriguing developments is the emergence of Omar Marmoush, who has been outshining even Mohamed Salah in Europe’s top leagues. The 25-year-old Eintracht Frankfurt forward has hit a new gear under coach Dino Toppmoller, scoring eight goals and producing four assists in six league fixtures. His stock has never been higher, and Egyptian fans are salivating at the prospect of seeing him partner Salah in the coming Mauritania double-header.
Meanwhile, Senegal is embarking on a new era without Aliou Cissé, who parted ways with the team after failing to meet recent objectives. Interim head coach Pape Thiaw, a member of the 2002 World Cup side, takes the reins, inheriting a talented squad featuring Sadio Mané, Nicolas Jackson, Iliman Ndiaye, and Boulaye Dia. Thiaw’s task is to navigate this unfamiliar period and ensure Senegal’s qualification for the Nations Cup.
Nigeria, another West African giant, is also without a permanent head coach, and Victor Osimhen’s fitness issues have added to their woes. Interim coach Augustine Eguavoen must decide who will lead the line against Libya, with in-form Victor Boniface of Bayer Leverkusen appearing to be the most likely replacement.
Ivory Coast, the reigning African champions, are struggling to come to terms with life without Sébastien Haller, who has been sidelined by injury once again. Coach Emerse Fae will rely on uncapped Guy Stephane Bedi to fill the void, as the Elephants aim to secure their place at the next Nations Cup.
In other news, Mali’s coach Tom Saintfiet raised eyebrows by omitting Moussa Sylla due to his height, opting for Mamadou Doumbia instead. Ghana, meanwhile, faces an intriguing subplot as ex-Black Stars head coach Kwesi Appiah takes charge of Sudan, prompting him to step down from his role on the Ghana Football Association’s Executive Committee to avoid a conflict of interests.
Finally, Cameroon appears to be turning over a new leaf, with the hostilities between national federation president Samuel Eto’o and the sports ministry calming down. The Indomitable Lions head into their fixtures against Kenya with a sense of unity, but it remains to be seen whether this uneasy truce will hold.
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