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2019 Africa Cup of Nations: Group F preview

By Liam Bekker

An Egyptian youth holds a replica model of the Afican Cup of Nations trophy in one hand an a national flag in the other as he stands outside a shop selling trophies and medals and other sports memorabilia in the capital Cairo's downtown district on June 17, 2019. (Photo by Khaled DESOUKI / AFP) (Photo credit should read KHALED DESOUKI/AFP/Getty Images)
An Egyptian youth holds a replica model of the Afican Cup of Nations trophy in one hand an a national flag in the other as he stands outside a shop selling trophies and medals and other sports memorabilia in the capital Cairo's downtown district on June 17, 2019. (Photo by Khaled DESOUKI / AFP) (Photo credit should read KHALED DESOUKI/AFP/Getty Images) /
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Cameroon, Ghana, Guinea-Bissau and Benin will compete in Group F at the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations. Here’s what to expect from each side.

As is the case in Group A, two nations in Group F boast a combined nine Africa Cup of Nations titles between them. Reigning champions Cameroon and four-time winners Ghana are two of the continent’s greatest soccer nations and will be favorites to progress to the knockout stages of this year’s competition. They are joined by Guinea-Bissau and Benin.

LIBREVILLE, GABON – FEBRUARY 05: CHRISTIAN MOUGANG BASSOGOG of Cameroon and AHMED FATHI AHMED ABDELMONEIM AHMED IBRAHIM of Egypt during the CAN 2017 FINAL between Egypt and Cameroon at Stade de L’Amitie on February 05, 2017 in Libreville, Gabon. (Photo by Visionhaus/Corbis via Getty Images)
LIBREVILLE, GABON – FEBRUARY 05: CHRISTIAN MOUGANG BASSOGOG of Cameroon and AHMED FATHI AHMED ABDELMONEIM AHMED IBRAHIM of Egypt during the CAN 2017 FINAL between Egypt and Cameroon at Stade de L’Amitie on February 05, 2017 in Libreville, Gabon. (Photo by Visionhaus/Corbis via Getty Images) /

Cameroon

Cameroon, who were stripped of their rights to host the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations last year, will be making their 19th appearance in the competition. The Indomitable Lions are the reigning champions and second-most successful nation in the competition, with five titles to their name. Only Egypt (7) have won the competition on more occasions.

Qualification

After being stripped as host nation, Cameroon were forced to qualify for the Africa Cup of Nations via the conventional route. Clarence Seedorf’s side dealt with the blow well enough and lost only one of their six matches – to table toppers Morocco.

Despite the relative comfort with which they reached the AFCON tournament, Cameroon were far from their attacking best during the qualifying stages and scored just six goals, averaging one goal per game. Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting was the only one of the nation’s five goalscorers to net more than once.

The squad

Even with a squad bursting with European-based talent, Cameroon seem to lack the superstar talent they possessed in previous editions of the competition. As a result, Seedorf has named a fairly youthful looking squad, with only five players aged 30 or older, and has included previously uncapped midfielder, Wilfrid Kaptoum.

2017 Player of the Tournament Christian Bassogog has once again made the squad but Cameroon will be without their main striker, Vincent Aboubakar in Egypt. The 27-year old suffered a serious anterior cruciate ligament injury while playing for Porto last year and has not recovered in time to take part in the tournament.

Key player: Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting

With Aboubakar out injured, Cameroon will be reliant on PSG striker Choupo-Moting to lead their line. The 30-year old is one of the senior statesmen in the squad and is the only player with more than ten international goals to his name.

The former Stoke City striker’s return of 15 goals in 50 appearances is hardly prolific but his experience across Europe’s biggest leagues makes him a valuable asset for Cameroon at the top end of the pitch.

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