AFCON 2023: Five Players To Watch Out For – The Hoima Post –
The Africa Cup of Nations gets underway on January 13, in the biennial battle to be crowned African football’s finest team.
After the rescheduling of the tournament from last summer, Africa’s top teams are preparing to compete for continental success in what promises to be a fascinating month of international action.
Ahead of AFCON 2023, we’ve picked out five players to keep an eye on in the Ivory Coast.
Ousmane Diomande (Ivory Coast)
Ivory Coast are the host nation for the tournament as Les Éléphants look to win a second AFCON title.
The Ivorians boast a squad mixed with experience and potential, with the brightest prospect among their ranks Ousmane Diomande. The centre-back has starred since signing for Sporting Lisbon from FC Midtjylland last January, emerging as one of the most promising defenders in European football.
Diomande ranks second in Portugal’s Primeria Liga this season for touches (1165) and pass completion (91%), while ranking third for passes into the final third (94), percentage of dribblers tackled (83.3%) and progressive carrying distance (2342).
Sporting set a release clause of €80m (£69m) in the 20-year-old’s contract when signing Diomande, a figure top clubs are reportedly already prepared to meet. He will form a strong axis at centre-back alongside Roma’s Evan Ndicka for the host nation.
Serhou Guirassy (Guinea)
Serhou Guirassy’s suitors will be keeping a close eye on developments in the Ivory Coast this month, with the Guinea international one of the most in-demand players in world football.
A stunning start to the season (and modest release clause) has seen the Stuttgart striker catapult himself onto the transfer wish-list of leading clubs across Europe. Guirassy’s goals have fired Stuttgart into Champions League contention after two seasons battling relegation, with only Harry Kane and Kylian Mbappe having outscored the 27-year-old across Europe’s top five leagues.
Guirassy has scored 17 goals in 14 league appearances and will hope to transfer that form onto the international stage, as Guinea face Senegal, Cameroon and Gambia in a challenging group.
The forward represented France up to u-20 level before declaring for the country of his parents. He has scored three goals for Guinea since his debut in 2022.
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Victor Boniface (Nigeria)
Nigeria’s mixed form has seen the Super Eagles placed as outsiders, despite boasting the most formidable frontline in the tournament.
Victor Osimhen is the star striker in José Peseiro’s plans and was the leading scorer in AFCON qualification, with 10 goals. The Napoli striker is already fourth among his country’s all-time leading scorers, with 20 goals from just 27 appearances.
However, Osimhen won’t be the only threat for the Nigerians, following the emergence of Victor Boniface this season. Signed from Union Saint-Gilloise in the summer, the 23-year-old has been an instant hit at Bayer Leverkusen. Boniface has scored 16 goals and laid on eight assists in 23 appearances in all competitions, for a Leverkusen team unbeaten at the turn of the new year.
Since signing for Leverkusen, Boniface ranks in the top five percent of strikers in Europe’s top five leagues for non-penalty xG, shots, assists, progressive carries, successful take-ons and attacking penalty area touches per 90 minutes.
He made his debut for Nigeria in September and has since won five caps without scoring. If the two Victor’s can click this month, Nigeria will be tough to stop.
Mohamed Amoura (Algeria)
Union Saint-Gilloise have helped nurtue some brilliant talent in recent seasons with the aforementioned Boniface and Brighton winger Kaoru Mitoma among the names to have been nurtured at the Belgian side.
Algerian forward Mohamed Amoura could be the latest to make Europe’s big leagues take note, following a stunning start to his career with the club. The 23-year-old, who was Algeria’s leading scorer in qualification for AFCON 2023 with three goals, arrived in Belgium with a modest goal record but has exploded during the current season.
Amoura has averaged a goal every 66 minutes in the Jupiler Pro League, having netted 13 times in just nine starts this season. The diminutive forward can operate across the frontline and will hope to link up with Riyad Mahrez in the final third.
Bilal El Khannouss (Morocco)
Europe’s leading clubs have checked in on the progress of Bilal El Khannouss this season, with the midfielder dubbed one of Morocco’s biggest talents of recent years.
The Atlas Lions boast arguably the strongest squad in the tournament after becoming the first African nation to reach the World Cup semi-finals in Qatar last winter, and El Khannouss has added to the quality in their ranks.
The 19-year-old was voted as the best u-23 player in the Belgian Pro League last season, and has forged a reputation as forward-thinking midfield talent.
Among all players in the 14 leading leagues outside of Europe’s top five divisions, the teenager ranks in the 97th percentile for progressive passes per game (8.73) and ranks highly among his positional peers for attempted passes (95th percentile), tackles (88th percentile) and shot-creating actions (88th percentile).
Bilal El Khannouss is a gem among a Morocco midfield that will start as tournament favourites.
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Ugandan Citizen Abducted, Held in Secret Detention for Three Months, Sparks Outrage and Calls for Justice
A disturbing new case of unlawful detention has surfaced, highlighting the ongoing human rights crisis in Uganda. A Ugandan citizen was reportedly abducted and held in a secret facility, known as a “safe house,” for three months, only to be released without charge or explanation. This incident, reported by NTV Uganda, has sparked widespread condemnation and renewed calls for accountability regarding human rights abuses in the country.
While the details surrounding the abduction remain unclear, reports indicate that the individual was taken without due process and held incommunicado—an action that has long been condemned by human rights organizations. The victim’s release, with no charges filed and no clear justification, has angered activists and citizens, who view this as yet another case of egregious abuse of power by the state.
“This is a recurring pattern,” said one human rights activist. “Abductions, secret detentions, and unexplained releases have become all too common in Uganda. These acts violate fundamental human rights and erode public trust in the justice system.”
The use of “safe houses,” unregistered detention facilities reportedly operated by security forces, has been a focal point in numerous allegations of torture and illegal imprisonment. Despite repeated calls from both local and international organizations for their closure and accountability for those involved, little action has been taken to address these violations.
This case underscores the urgent need for reform within Uganda’s security apparatus and greater accountability for human rights abuses. Observers hope that drawing attention to these injustices will spur concrete action to bring those responsible to justice and ensure the protection of basic human rights.
As frustration mounts, calls for both domestic and international pressure to hold the government accountable for such crimes grow louder. “One day, there must be accountability for all these crimes against our people,” stated one social media user, reflecting the sentiments of many Ugandans.
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NUP Gathering Disrupted: Kyagulanyi Alleges Security Force Harassment and Arrests
National Unity Platform (NUP) President Robert Kyagulanyi has accused Ugandan security forces of using excessive force to disrupt a planned NUP gathering. The allegations were detailed in a statement shared on Twitter, following an event held to honor children of NUP supporters who were killed, disappeared, or detained for their political beliefs.
According to Kyagulanyi, security personnel, under the command of an officer identified as Asiimwe, carried out a preemptive operation early in the morning upon learning of the NUP’s plans. The forces allegedly stormed the premises, arrested workers, and deployed tear gas to disperse those present.
“The criminals under the command of one Asiimwe deployed early morning, arrested our workers, and threw tear gas into our premises. They’ve cordoned off the premises and blocked all people from accessing the place,” Kyagulanyi wrote.
Among those reportedly arrested were Saava Peter, Mudenya Samson, and Turyasingura Samson. Kyagulanyi claimed the detained workers were subjected to beatings and interrogated about their political affiliations, with security operatives labeling them as terrorists.
“These JATT operatives asked the workers who they support politically, branding them terrorists and criminals—their only crime being that they work with us. You can imagine the indignity!” Kyagulanyi lamented.
This incident adds to the growing tension in Uganda’s political climate, where opposition parties frequently accuse the government of stifling dissent. Despite the challenges, Kyagulanyi ended his statement with a message of defiance and optimism, proclaiming, “UGANDA WILL BE FREE.”
NUP Gathering Disrupted: Kyagulanyi Alleges Security Force Harassment and Arrests
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Sudan Demands Apology from Uganda Over Army Chief Muhoozi Kainerugaba’s Threat to Invade Khartoum
Sudan has demanded an official apology from Uganda over “offensive and dangerous” comments made by the chief of Uganda army staff, who threated to invade Khartoum, the Sudan Tribune has reported.
General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, son of Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni and CDF of the Ugandan army, posted two comments on the X platform on Tuesday in which he threatened “to capture Khartoum” with the support of the US President elect Donald Trump after he takes office. The posts were deleted later.
“The government of Sudan demands and official apology from the Ugandan government for the offensive and dangerous comments of the army commander,” Sudan’s foreign ministry said in a statement that the Sudan Tribune said it has seen.
Sudan Demands Apology from Uganda Over Army Chief Muhoozi Kainerugaba’s Threat to Invade Khartoum