Who did the Reds draw in the Africa Cup of Nations?

Thursday 12 October 2023 21:24

Four Manchester United players could potentially be jetting off to the Ivory Coast in January to participate in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.

Amad, Sofyan Amrabat, Hannibal and Andre Onana have all represented their countries at international level and are eligible to be selected for the month-long competition after the turn of the year, following their nations' qualification.

The 2023 Africa Cup of Nations will officially take place between 13 January and 11 February 2024.

On Thursday, the draw for the group stage was conducted at Parc Des Expositions in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, and each country learned who they will face at the tournament.

United's African connection is stronger than ever

 Article

Why the Reds currently have the largest representation from the continent in our history.

As hosts, Ivory Coast were automatically placed in Group A.

The Elephants' squad for the tournament may yet feature Amad, who has been unavailable for United since suffering an injury in pre-season. The 21-year-old has played four times for Ivory Coast.

Joining them in Group A are three-time winners Nigeria, Equatorial Guinea and Guinea-Bissau.

Morocco, one of the highest ranked teams at the tournament after reaching the semi-finals for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, have been placed in Group F.

The Atlas Lions, who could select United's on-loan midfielder Amrabat in their squad, have been drawn alongside the Democratic Republic of Congo, Zambia and Tanzania.

Tunisia were drawn into Group E and will play against Mali, South Africa and Namibia in the group stage.

Reds midfielder Hannibal, who has played 26 times for the Carthage Eagles, will no doubt be hoping to make his mark at the tournament.

Rounding off our potential representation at the competition, Onana's Cameroon will take on reigning champions Senegal, Guinea and The Gambia in Group C.

The goalkeeper, who signed for United in the summer, announced his decision to reverse his international retirement in September, keeping a clean sheet on his return for the Indomitable Lions against Burundi.

Cameroon have won the Africa Cup of Nations five times, and hosted the 2021 edition of the competition.

It is certainly set to be an intriguing tournament, and we will be following the progress of our Reds closely when it comes around at the turn of the year.

Recommended: