Inaki Williams, Hamari Traoré, Youssef En-Nesyri, Saúl Coco and Renildo… As for the other championships, the ranks of the Liga teams will be depopulated to fill those of the African selections for the CAN in Ivory Coast (January 13 – 11 FEBRUARY). France 24 has prepared a selection of five players from the Spanish championship who will have the opportunity to be talked about.
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Youssef En-Nesyri (Morocco, Sevilla FC)
For CAN 2024, Morocco appears to be an indisputable favorite. And for the final victory, their main offensive asset is called Youssef En-Nesyri. The former resident of the Mohammed VI academy is always there when Morocco needs him. During the epic in Qatar, his two goals were decisive: the first against Canada allowed the Atlas Lions to take first place in their group, the second, a monumental helmet strike for which he has the secret, made his selection the first African team to reach the semi-finals of a World Cup. All against Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal.
At club level too, Youssef has a string of great performances and decisive goals. He won two Europa League titles with the Sevilla club. The 26-year-old has scored 9 goals in 25 matches in all competitions so far this season. And he now intends to shine in Ivory Coast.
Youssef En-Nesyri with Morocco : 65 matches played, 17 goals, 3 assists
Saúl Coco (Equatorial Guinea, Las Palmas)
For a good edition of the CAN, we need stars capable of stacking goals or swaying dribbles capable of capsizing the stadiums. But you also need players of duty, rocks on which the whole team rests. Saul Cocoest is one of them.
In club terms, the native of Lanzarote has not moved far, since he plays under the colors of UD Las Palmas. In selection, he will experience his second major tournament as a pillar of the Equatoguineans’ defense.
Djené Dakonam with Equatorial Guinea: 16 matches played, 3 goals
Hamari Traoré (Mali, Real Sociedad)
Born in Bamako, Mali, Hamari Traoré is a pure product of his country. He trained at JMG Bamako then at USFAS, before flying to France (Paris FC) in 2013. He then had a great time at Stade Rennes, where he quickly won the hearts and the armband of captain. This summer, he chose Spain and moved to Real Sociedad, where he also established himself as an indisputable starter (21 starts in 24 matches in all competitions) and became an essential cog in the qualification for the 8are Champions League final.
If a slight uncertainty hangs over his state of form, the fault of a nasty injury, Hamari Traoré is on the trip to the Ivory Coast for what already constitutes his 4e participation in the continental competition.
Hamari Traoré with Mali : 50 matches played, 2 goals, 5 assists
Reinildo (Mozambique, Atlético Madrid)
Mozambique returns to the African Cup, 14 years after their last participation. “Os Mambas” can rely on a talented generation to dream of exploits between Geny Catamo (Sporting CP), defender Mexer (Bandırmaspor) and full-back Reinildo.
For the Atlético Madrid resident, the CAN will be an opportunity to demonstrate that he has lost none of his splendor after being away from the field for 273 days, the fault of a nasty rupture of the cruciate ligament. “The injury is now behind us, I feel good and now I will continue working to have a good championship. We want to continue making history with this team and now that means winning matches,” he said. promised.
Reinildo with Mozambique: 27 matches played, 1 assist
Inaki Williams (Ghana, Athletic Bilbao)
At 29, the striker will discover his first CAN, after having long cherished the dream of playing for Spain. Athletic Bilbao scorer Inaki Williams is in good form, having already scored eight goals and three assists with the Basque club.
For the one who changed his sporting nationality in 2022, the African Cup will be a personal affair: “Playing the CAN means a lot to me. My ambition is to go as far as possible with the Black Stars,” he explained recently . With the irremovable Ayew brothers and the young hope Mohammed Kudus, Ghana will once again have the opportunity to play spoilsport.
Inaki Williams with Ghana : 13 matches, 1 goal