The Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) gets underway in the Ivory Coast later this month with several high profile players from the Premier League and Europe’s top divisions set to take part.
We look at which countries have the most expensive squads and players based on transfer value, and who are among the favourites to win the tournament…
Nigeria and Osimhen lead the way
Embed from Getty ImagesAccording to a report from SuperBettingSites, Nigeria top the list of the most expensive squads in the tournament with an estimated transfer value of €349.75 million.
Much of that is down to one player in Napoli striker Victor Osimhen, who is said to be worth a whopping €110 million.
The 25-year-old scored 26 goals in 32 Serie A games last season and seven in 13 so far this campaign. He has been heavily linked with a move to the Premier League in the future and a strong AFCON will do no harm to his chances of securing a big money move.
Fellow striker and Bayer Leverkusen man Victor Boniface, who has netted ten goals in 16 Bunderliga games this season, is also a major contributor, while AC Milan’s Samuel Chukwueze and Fulham duo Alex Iwobi and Calvin Bassey will be hoping they can play their part in leading their nation to AFCON glory.
Despite having the most expensive squad, the bookies rank Nigeria as only sixth favourites for the tournament but they certainly have enough talent to go on and win it.
Morocco and hosts Ivory Coast only other nations to rank over €300 million
Embed from Getty ImagesBehind Nigeria for the most expensive squads in the tournament are Morocco and the host nation Ivory Coast, who are the only other countries to have squads worth over €300 million in the transfer market according to the report.
Morocco and PSG’s Achraf Hakimi is the footballer with highest market value from Ligue 1 in the tournament at €65 million. Nayef Aguerd of West Ham, Manchester United loanee Sofyan Amrabat and Galatasaray’s Hakim Ziyech also make up part of the Morocco squad who currently rank as the favourites to win the trophy following their memorable run to the semi-finals of the World Cup in Qatar.
Ivory Coast, the host nation, are currently third favourites to win the competition in the betting odds, and with the tournament on their home patch and a squad worth plenty in the transfer market it is easy to see why.
They might not have any big names as eye-catching as the likes of Osimhen or Hakimi but their overall squad is stacked with talent. Sporting defender Ousmane Diomande has been linked with a big money move elsewhere, winger Simon Adingra has been in excellent form for Brighton this season, while the likes of Sergie Aurier, Willy Boly and Franck Kessie bring valuable experience.
Ivory Coast certainly boasts one of the deepest squads in the competition and it would be a surprise not to see them go far.
Who are the other favourites?
Embed from Getty ImagesSenegal and Algeria both have estimates of a squad value ranging between €200 and €300 million. Senegal’s squad might not rank as expensively as Nigeria and Ivory Coast but they are second favourites, favourites with some bookies, for a reason. Nicolas Jackson, Sadio Mane and Pape Matar Sarr make up a squad which has plenty of talent and the capability to win the tournament.
Algeria are currently around the same odds as Ivory Coast to win the whole thing. Former Man City winger Riyad Mahrez leads a squad which also features the impressive Rayan Ait Nouri of Wolves and AC Milan midfielder Ismael Bennacer.
It is not surprising to see Egypt rank around 9/1 odds to lift the trophy given they have one of the best players in the world in Mo Salah. Salah is the Premier League player with the highest market value at the tournament at €65 million but their reliance on him is clear and he will have to be at his very best if Egypt are to stand a chance of taking home the trophy.
Cameroon are also around 10/1 with Nigeria to win the trophy, led by veteran striker Vincent Aboubakar and Manchester United goalkeeper Andre Onana in what promises to be an exciting tournament with plenty of contenders.
