CHAN 2020: five players to watch
Cameroonian Jacques Zoua, in 2017. FIFA via Getty Images - Alex Livesey - FIFA
Text by: David Kalfa Follow
3 min
The African Nations Championship, the CAN for local players, is an opportunity for inexperienced players on the international scene to become more experienced under the watchful eye of more seasoned teammates.
RFI invites you to follow five of these proven footballers during “CHAN 2020”.
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Djigui Diarra, the rampart (Mali)
At 25, the porter of the Eagles is already a veteran of African football.
Present at the CHAN 2016, he won in the various selections, whether with the U20 during a 2015 World Cup during which Mali finished 3rd.
Or among the A during CAN 2019. Bulwark of the Stade Malien since 2011, Djigui Diarra will once again have the opportunity to prove that one can be a leading goalkeeper, even when one is not 1.90 meters tall.
Ayoub El Kaabi, the hero of CHAN 2018 (Morocco)
In 2018, the striker was the great hero of a CHAN won at home, where he finished top scorers (9 goals) and best player.
Since then, Ayoub El Kaabi has gone to monetize his talent in China.
But returned to Morocco, especially because of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Star of the Atlas Lions in Cameroon, he will be their main asset to defend their title.
Issama Mpeko, the stainless (DRC)
The right-back is far from being in his first final phase with the DRC, he who was selected for CHAN 2011, CAN 2013, 2015, 2017 and 2019. After wearing the colors of DCMP and V Club ( as well as the Angolan club Kabuscorp), Issama Mpeko donned the tunic of TP Mazembe.
Whether with Ravens or Leopards, it remains a sure bet.
Jacques Tuyisenge, the regular (Rwanda)
In Rwanda, Jacques Tuyisenge is also a figure.
Captain during the CHAN 2016 at home, he will still be in Cameroon.
He also took part in the 2011 edition in Sudan.
His confidence and his experience will be invaluable for the Amavubi who figure in a tough group, with Morocco, Uganda and Togo.
Jacques Zoua, the adventurer (Cameroon)
Players with international experience like that of Jacques Zoua are generally quite rare at CHAN.
The Cameroonian has played in six different European championships, including Germany and France.
At 29 years old, the winner of the CAN 2017, who came to revive at AS Futuro, still has a lot to give.
And also to be won: if the Indomitable Lions are successful on February 7, he would become the second player, after the Tunisian Adel Chedli, to achieve the CAN-CHAN double.
[1] The African Football Confederation has decided that the competition will continue to be called TOTAL African Nations Championship Cameroon 2020, despite the tournament being postponed to 2021 due to the Covid-19.
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