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IVORY COAST
Nickname: The Elephants
Head coach: Ibrahim Kamara(Ivory Coast)
CAF ranking: 11
Fifa ranking: 62
The Elephants have qualified for every Afcon edition since 2006 and they have only failed once – in 2017 – to go past the group stage.
In their 22 appearances at Afcon, Ivory Coast have won the tournament twice – in 1992 and 2015.
Kamara will once again call upon the experience of England-based stars Manchester United defender Eric Bailly and Aston Villa’s Jonathan Kodjia, as well as Spain’s La Liga-based striker Seydou Doumbia, who all played a defining role during the qualifiers.
NAMIBIA
Nickname: Brave Warriors
Head coach: Ricardo Mannetti (Namibia)
CAF ranking: 28
Fifa ranking: 113
Namibia are making their third appearance at the Afcon, with their last qualifications dating back to 1998 and 2008.
Manneti has roped in eight South Africa-based players in his final squad, who he believes will “represent Namibia to the best of their abilities”.
MOROCCO
Nickname: Atlas Lions
Head Coach: Hervé Renard (France)
CAF ranking: 4
Fifa ranking: 47
Morocco were long regarded as the sleeping giants of African football, but the north Africans were woken from their slumber when Renard assumed the role as coach in 2016.
Apart from qualifying for the World Cup last year, Morocco have also produced new stars in the form of Ajax Amsterdam midfielder Hakim Ziyech.
The 26-year-old is a complete package – he’s got dribbling skills, vision and he’s a good free kick taker.
