The 2019 Africa Nations Cup kicks off on Friday in Egypt and the biggest names in African football will lead their country’s fight for the most important trophy on the continent.
Footballmadeinghana.com brings you up to speed with the captains of all the 24 nations making appearance at the tournament.
GROUP A
Egypt – El Mohammedy – Leading the host nation for the tournament of this nature is always not an easy job. The Aston Villa man will be looking to repeat what Ahmed Hassan did in 2006 making sure the trophy remains in the Pharaoh Land.
DR Congo – Yussif Mulumbu – Playing his trade for Celtic in Scotland, the former West Bromwich Albion midfielder will be leading the DR Congo in Egypt.
The Leopards will seek to claim the African crown for the first time since 1974. They have won the showpiece twice and will be looking for their third come 21st June.
Uganda – Dennis Onyango – Arguably the best goalkeeper in the continent. Playing his trade for South African side Mamelodi Sundowns.
He conceded only two goals during the AFCON qualifiers for Uganda. He will be key if the Cranes can cause an upset in the competition.
Zimbabwe – Knowledge Musona –
Plays for Lokeren, on loan from Anderlecht, in the Belgian Pro League.
Knowledge Musona scored five goals during the qualifiers as Zimbabwe qualified for their fourth AFCON tournament.
A lot will be expecting of him as he lead Zimbabwe for the tournament.
GROUP B
Nigeria – John Mikel Obi- After missing the last two editon of the competition, the super Eagles will be led by former Chelsea midfielder John Obi Mikel in Egypt as they search for their 4th African crown.
Mikel was part of the team that won the competition in 2013. As the leader for the team the 32 year old Middlesbrough Midfielder will be running the tick of affairs for Gernot Rohr’s team
Guinea – Naby Keita – The Liverpool midfielder was initially ruled out of the competition after sustaining an injury in the Semi finals of the UEFA Champions League against Barcelona.
Keita has miraculously recovered and will be leading Guinea in Egypt as they look to cause upset.
Keita is the hope of the whole Guinea, whether the country can make history or not it depends on the Liverpool man.
Madagascar – Faneva Imà Andriatsima –
Faneva Imà Andriatsima is striker who plays as a
forward for French ligue 2 side Clermont Foot.
The 35 year old made his debut For Madagascar in 2006 and has since being playing a key role for the nation.
He has scored 12 goals in 33 Appearances for the Barea.
He will make history when he lead the team out of the tunnel against Guinea for the first time in the history of the Country.
Burundi – Selemani Yamin Ndikumana – Selemani will be the first captain to ever lead the country to the African Cup of Nations when they face Nigeria on 22 of June.
The striker who plays his trade for Al-Adalah Football Club in Saudi Arabia is the one of experience players in the Burundi team.
He played a vital role in the country’s first ever qualification to the showpiece.
GROUP C
Senegal – Sadio Mané – Sadio Mane needs no introduction. The Liverpool striker has had a good club campaign leading Liverpool to win their 6th UEFA Champions League trophy.
With Senegal searching for their first ever Gold in the African Cup of Nations. Sadio Mane is the man to leading them in Egypt.
Algeria – Raïs M’Bolhi – The Dessert foxes of Algeria will be led by Al-Ettifaq goal keeper Rais M’Bolhi.
The goalkeeper made his debut for Algeria in 2010 and as since made 58 appearances for the national team. His heroics in the 2010 World Cup in South Africa is one of his best outing for the Country.
Can he lead Algeria for another for their second AFCON trophy in Egypt?
Tanzania – Mbwana Ali Samatta – Mbwana Ally Samatta (born 23 December 1992) plays as a striker for Belgian side Genk.
The former TP Mazembe Striker signed for Genk in 2016 and has since established himself as one of the best in the Belgian Premier league. He helped Genk to win the league in the just ended seaosn by finishinh as the topscorer in the league.
Samata played an instrumental role for Tanzania return to the African showpiece after 39 years of missing out.
Kenya – Victor Wanyama – Wanyama needs no introduction. The Spurs midfielder will need to quickly forget a poor season he just had with his club.
Wanyama is the heart and leader of the the Kenya team. They will need him to stay 100% fit to be able to go far in the competition.
Wanyama scored three goals for Kenya enroute to Egypt.
GROUP D
Morocco – Mehdi Benatia – Morocco will depend on the leadership of Mehdi Benatia in Egypt if they want to break their 46 year duck.
The former Juventus defender now plays his trade for Al-Duhail in the Qater proffesional league.
He captained the team in the last edition in Gabon and Herve Renard is still keeping faith in him.
Ivory Coast – Serge Alain Stéphane Aurier –
The Tottenham Hotspurs defender is one of the surviving members of the side that won the 2015 Nations Cup.
He is set to lead Ibrahim Kamara’s side in Egypt. The former PSG defender made his debut for Ivory Coast in 2013 and appeared at his first AFCON in 2015.
South Africa – Thulani Tyson Hlatshwayo – Thulani Hlatshwayo plays for Bidvest Wits in South Africa.
He made his first AFCON appearance in 2015 and has since went on to make 36 appearances scoring four goals.
He will be the man to lead Stuart Baxter’s team to win the trophy in Egypt.
Namibia – Ronald Himeekua Ketjijere –
Ketjijere made his debut on February 2011, the touring midfielder played his Brave Warriors début against The Flames of Malawi which Namibia narrowly lost 2-1 in Windhoek, a match played at the Sam Nujoma Stadium.
Since then, he never looked back and was later given the captain arm band of the national senior side.
He is currently unattached after leaving Tuks FC in 2016.
GROUP E
Tunisia – Youssef Msakni – Sakni
plays for Eupen , on loan from
Al-Duhail from Qatar.
On 14 December 2009, he received his first convocation in national team from coach
Faouzi Benzarti for a friendly against Gambia in preparation for the 2010 Africa Cup of Nations.
On 9 January 2010 at Stade El Menzah. He entered the field in the 35th minute following
Oussama Darragi ‘s injury.
He has since made 5 appearances at the AFCON since 2010.
Mali – Yacouba Sylla –
Yacouba Sylla plays as a
midfielder for Strømsgodset Toppfotball in Norway.
He made his full international début for Mali on 9 June 2012 in a 1–1 FIFA World Cup qualification draw with Rwanda.
Mauritania – Sally Sarr – Sally plays for Servette FC in the
Swiss Challenge League.
Sarr made his debut for the Mauritania football team in a 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualification 1-1 tie with South Africa.
He set to make history by becoming the first player to lead Mauritania at the African Cup of Nations.
Angola – Djalma Campos –
Djalma received his first call-up to the Angola national team in 2008.
Following several successful displays for Marítimo, he was selected for the squads at both the 2010 and the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations .
Djalma scored his first international goal against Malta in October 2009, in a 2–1
friendly win.
He plays for Turkish club
Alanyaspor as a forward.
GROUP F
Cameroon – Jean-Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting –
The 30-year-old will lead the Indomitable Lions at the June 21-July 19 championship in Egypt, where they have been pitted against
Ghana , Benin and Guinea-Bissau in Group.
It will be the 30-year-old German-born’s second appearance at Afcon following his debut in 2015. The PSG striker excused himself from the 2017 championship, which the Lions eventually won.
He will lead the attack and make sure he defend the title won by his Predessorss.
Ghana – Andre Ayew – The son of the legendary Abedi Pele will captain the Black Stars in Egypt after he was confirmed as the captain of the team by AKwesi Appiah.
The Swansea City attacker will be making his 6th appearances at the AFCON. He is Ghana’s joint topscorer in the competition with 7 goals.
Ghana will be looking to win the trophy for the first time since 1982.
Benin – Salomon Junior – Salomon Junior (born 8 April 1986 in Abomey ) currently plays for Plateau United.
He was appointed as the captain of Benin after Stephan Sessengon.
Guinea Bissau – Jose Luis Mendez – Luis Mendes Lopes (Zezinho) will be leading the Guinea-Bissau Senior National team nicknamed “African Wild Dog” to the 2019 continental showpiece.
He has played thirty-one (31) games and scored two goals in a national team career spanning from September 2010.
Guinea-Bissau making its second consecutive appearance at the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) with its maiden edition in 2017 and exiting at the group stage.
Zezinho plies his trade with Slovakia side Senica.Know the captains of all the 24 Nations ready to battle in Egypt.
The 2019 Nations Cup kicks off on Friday in Egypt and the biggest names in African football will lead their country’s fight for the most important trophy on the continent.
Footballmadeinghana.com take you through to the captains of all the 24 nations making appearance at the African Cup of Nation.
Let’s take a look at the names of the captains leading their nations for the showpiece.
GROUP A
Egypt – El Mohammedy – Leading the host nation for the tournament of this nature is always not an easy job. The Aston Villa man will be looking to repeat what Ahmed Hassan did in 2006 making sure the trophy remains in the Pharaoh Land.
DR Congo – Yussif Mulumbu – Playing his trade for Celtic in Scotland, the former West Bromwich Albion midfielder will be leading the DR Congo in Egypt.
The Leopards will seek to claim the African crown for the first time since 1974. They have won the showpiece twice and will be looking for their third come 21st June.
Uganda – Dennis Onyango – Arguably the best goalkeeper in the continent. Playing his trade for South African side Mamelodi Sundowns.
He conceded only two goals during the AFCON qualifiers for Uganda. He will be key if the Cranes can cause an upset in the competition.
Zimbabwe – Knowledge Musona –
Plays for Lokeren, on loan from Anderlecht, in the Belgian Pro League.
Knowledge Musona scored five goals during the qualifiers as Zimbabwe qualified for their fourth AFCON tournament.
A lot will be expecting of him as he lead Zimbabwe for the tournament.
GROUP B
Nigeria – John Mikel Obi- After missing the last two editon of the competition, the super Eagles will be led by former Chelsea midfielder John Obi Mikel in Egypt as they search for their 4th African crown.
Mikel was part of the team that won the competition in 2013. As the leader for the team the 32 year old Middlesbrough Midfielder will be running the tick of affairs for Gernot Rohr’s team
Guinea – Naby Keita – The Liverpool midfielder was initially ruled out of the competition after sustaining an injury in the Semi finals of the UEFA Champions League against Barcelona.
Keita has miraculously recovered and will be leading Guinea in Egypt as they look to cause upset.
Keita is the hope of the whole Guinea, whether the country can make history or not it depends on the Liverpool man.
Madagascar – Faneva Imà Andriatsima –
Faneva Imà Andriatsima is striker who plays as a
forward for French ligue 2 side Clermont Foot.
The 35 year old made his debut For Madagascar in 2006 and has since being playing a key role for the nation.
He has scored 12 goals in 33 Appearances for the Barea.
He will make history when he lead the team out of the tunnel against Guinea for the first time in the history of the Country.
Burundi – Selemani Yamin Ndikumana – Selemani will be the first captain to ever lead the country to the African Cup of Nations when they face Nigeria on 22 of June.
The striker who plays his trade for Al-Adalah Football Club in Saudi Arabia is the one of experience players in the Burundi team.
He played a vital role in the country’s first ever qualification to the showpiece.
GROUP C
Senegal – Sadio Mané – Sadio Mane needs no introduction. The Liverpool striker has had a good club campaign leading Liverpool to win their 6th UEFA Champions League trophy.
With Senegal searching for their first ever Gold in the African Cup of Nations. Sadio Mane is the man to leading them in Egypt.
Algeria – Raïs M’Bolhi – The Dessert foxes of Algeria will be led by Al-Ettifaq goal keeper Rais M’Bolhi.
The goalkeeper made his debut for Algeria in 2010 and as since made 58 appearances for the national team. His heroics in the 2010 World Cup in South Africa is one of his best outing for the Country.
Can he lead Algeria for another for their second AFCON trophy in Egypt?
Tanzania – Mbwana Ali Samatta – Mbwana Ally Samatta (born 23 December 1992) plays as a striker for Belgian side Genk.
The former TP Mazembe Striker signed for Genk in 2016 and has since established himself as one of the best in the Belgian Premier league. He helped Genk to win the league in the just ended seaosn by finishinh as the topscorer in the league.
Samata played an instrumental role for Tanzania return to the African showpiece after 39 years of missing out.
Kenya – Victor Wanyama – Wanyama needs no introduction. The Spurs midfielder will need to quickly forget a poor season he just had with his club.
Wanyama is the heart and leader of the the Kenya team. They will need him to stay 100% fit to be able to go far in the competition.
Wanyama scored three goals for Kenya enroute to Egypt.
GROUP D
Morocco – Mehdi Benatia – Morocco will depend on the leadership of Mehdi Benatia in Egypt if they want to break their 46 year duck.
The former Juventus defender now plays his trade for Al-Duhail in the Qater proffesional league.
He captained the team in the last edition in Gabon and Herve Renard is still keeping faith in him.
Ivory Coast – Serge Alain Stéphane Aurier –
The Tottenham Hotspurs defender is one of the surviving members of the side that won the 2015 Nations Cup.
He is set to lead Ibrahim Kamara’s side in Egypt. The former PSG defender made his debut for Ivory Coast in 2013 and appeared at his first AFCON in 2015.
South Africa – Thulani Tyson Hlatshwayo – Thulani Hlatshwayo plays for Bidvest Wits in South Africa.
He made his first AFCON appearance in 2015 and has since went on to make 36 appearances scoring four goals.
He will be the man to lead Stuart Baxter’s team to win the trophy in Egypt.
Namibia – Ronald Himeekua Ketjijere –
Ketjijere made his debut on February 2011, the touring midfielder played his Brave Warriors début against The Flames of Malawi which Namibia narrowly lost 2-1 in Windhoek, a match played at the Sam Nujoma Stadium.
Since then, he never looked back and was later given the captain arm band of the national senior side.
He is currently unattached after leaving Tuks FC in 2016.
GROUP E
Tunisia – Youssef Msakni – Sakni
plays for Eupen , on loan from
Al-Duhail from Qatar.
On 14 December 2009, he received his first convocation in national team from coach
Faouzi Benzarti for a friendly against Gambia in preparation for the 2010 Africa Cup of Nations.
On 9 January 2010 at Stade El Menzah. He entered the field in the 35th minute following
Oussama Darragi ‘s injury.
He has since made 5 appearances at the AFCON since 2010.
Mali – Yacouba Sylla –
Yacouba Sylla plays as a
midfielder for Strømsgodset Toppfotball in Norway.
He made his full international début for Mali on 9 June 2012 in a 1–1 FIFA World Cup qualification draw with Rwanda.
Mauritania – Sally Sarr – Sally plays for Servette FC in the
Swiss Challenge League.
Sarr made his debut for the Mauritania football team in a 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualification 1-1 tie with South Africa.
He set to make history by becoming the first player to lead Mauritania at the African Cup of Nations.
Angola – Djalma Campos –
Djalma received his first call-up to the Angola national team in 2008.
Following several successful displays for Marítimo, he was selected for the squads at both the 2010 and the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations .
Djalma scored his first international goal against Malta in October 2009, in a 2–1
friendly win.
He plays for Turkish club
Alanyaspor as a forward.
GROUP F
Cameroon – Jean-Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting –
The 30-year-old will lead the Indomitable Lions at the June 21-July 19 championship in Egypt, where they have been pitted against
Ghana , Benin and Guinea-Bissau in Group.
It will be the 30-year-old German-born’s second appearance at Afcon following his debut in 2015. The PSG striker excused himself from the 2017 championship, which the Lions eventually won.
He will lead the attack and make sure he defend the title won by his Predessorss.
Ghana – Andre Ayew – The son of the legendary Abedi Pele will captain the Black Stars in Egypt after he was confirmed as the captain of the team by AKwesi Appiah.
The Swansea City attacker will be making his 6th appearances at the AFCON. He is Ghana’s joint topscorer in the competition with 7 goals.
Ghana will be looking to win the trophy for the first time since 1982.
Benin – Salomon Junior – Salomon Junior (born 8 April 1986 in Abomey ) currently plays for Plateau United.
He was appointed as the captain of Benin after Stephan Sessengon.
Guinea Bissau – Jose Luis Mendez – Luis Mendes Lopes (Zezinho) will be leading the Guinea-Bissau Senior National team nicknamed “African Wild Dog” to the 2019 continental showpiece.
He has played thirty-one (31) games and scored two goals in a national team career spanning from September 2010.
Guinea-Bissau making its second consecutive appearance at the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) with its maiden edition in 2017 and exiting at the group stage.
Zezinho plies his trade with Slovakia side Senica.
