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| Morocco wideman Abde Ezzalzouli may be one of the stars of the 2024 Olympic football tournament. Ulrik Pedersen/DeFodi Images via Getty Images |
When Nigeria and Cameroon won back-to-back men's Olympic football gold medals in 1996 and 2000, it felt as though Africa was finally primed to start competing at the business end of major tournaments.
That hasn't happened. Morocco's run to the final four at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar represents Africa's best showing in the flagship tournament, while the Olympic medals have dried up. Of the 15 medals won since Cameroon defeated Spain on penalties to take gold in 2000, only two have gone Africa's way; Nigeria clinching silver in 2008, and bronze eight years later in Rio de Janeiro.
In 2024, with four competitors and plenty of reasons for optimism, can Africa's football fans begin dreaming of a first gold in almost 25 years?
Here's all you need to know about Africa's chances in the men's football tournament at the 2024 Olympic Games.
Morocco
Olympic pedigree: Morocco return to the Olympics for the first time since 2012, with their best showing being a second-round appearance in 1972. Ahmed Faras' hat-trick in a 6-0 demolition of Malaysia at the 1972 Games in Munich remains the high watermark for the Atlas Lions at the Olympics.
How did they qualify? Morocco dispatched North African rivals Egypt 2-1 after extra time in the Under-23 Africa Cup of Nations final on home soil last July, with Le Havre AC's Oussama Targhaline scoring a 108th-minute winner. The Lions were the tournament's outstanding team, with the likes of Ismael Saibari, Abde Ezzalzouli, Zakaria El Ouahdi and Yanis Begraoui suggesting a bright future for Africa's emerging force.
Star man: Achraf Hakimi. The outstanding individual in this Moroccan golden generation, Hakimi was influential as the North Africans reached the 2022 World Cup semifinals. A rampaging right-back, expect the 25-year-old captain -- one of the squad's overaged players -- to adopt a more expansive, central role at the Olympics. His status as one of the last remaining stars at Paris Saint-Germain, and the amount of Moroccan expats expected to watch their team in action, should ensure he's one of the more popular names on show at the Games. If Morocco win their group, Hakimi could look forward to a quarterfinal (and potentially a final) at his "home" ground, Parc des Princes.
Player to watch: Abde Ezzalzouli. Already capped 15 times at senior level, Ezzalzouli was a bit-part player in the senior squads at the 2022 World Cup and 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, but it's with the under-23 team that he's enjoyed his defining moment in international football. Unfortunate not to be named Player of the Tournament at the U23 AFCON, he nonetheless ended the campaign as joint top scorer with three goals, and with three assists, to demonstrate his multifaceted contributions to the team's attack. He assisted Targhalline's winner in the final, and expect the former Barcelona winger to win many admirers with his muscular, swashbuckling displays out wide for the Lions.
Fixtures: Argentina (July 24), Ukraine (July 27), Iraq (July 30).
Prediction: Morocco should escape the group, and they might give Argentina a run for their money for top spot. After that, with momentum and local support behind them, a bronze-medal finish is within their grasp albeit second place in the group would likely put them on quarterfinal a collision course with hosts France.
Guinea
Olympic pedigree: This is Guinea's first participation since the 1968 Games in Mexico, where a generation including Petit Sory, Cherif Souleymane and Maxime Camara fell at the first hurdle despite defeating Colombia.
How did they qualify? Eliminated Nigeria to qualify for the U23 AFCON then progressed from Group A at that tournament ahead of Ghana and Congo, a 1-1 draw against the former in their final game sealing their progress. They were defeated 1-0 by Egypt in the semis.
Star man: Naby Keita. Still only 29 but having lost much of his early-career momentum due to injury and loss of form, Keita is yet to enjoy a defining moment in international football. A UEFA Champions League winner with Liverpool, and once destined for great things after his Bundesliga heroics with RB Leipzig, his technical ability and guile should ensure he's a valuable addition to this young Guinea side. It remains to be seen whether the fitness problems that overshadowed his season with Werder Bremen -- he played just five league games -- are firmly behind him.
Player to watch: Ilaix Moriba. Tipped for the top while at Barcelona, having registered three assists and a goal in his first five appearances for the club, his move to RB Leipzig has put the wunderkind's career in a tailspin. Moriba was criticised for accepting a lucrative deal rather than remaining where his development might have been better served, and has subsequently struggled to enjoy the 'rub' of the celebrated talent developers like so many other young players have done over the past decade. Nonetheless, there's still a talent there -- even if he's shown it only fleetingly in recent seasons. Now firmly in the shop window, this could be the box-to-box midfielder's opportunity to turn his fortunes around.
Fixtures: New Zealand (July 24), France (July 27), United States (July 30).
Prediction: A strong opening performance against New Zealand -- and all three points -- is surely imperative if they're to escape the group. With hosts France and then a tidy U.S. side to play thereafter, a first-round exit looks most likely for the Syli National.
Egypt
Olympic pedigree: While Nigeria and Cameroon reached the pinnacle of Olympic football, Egypt are the continent's most consistent qualifiers, having reached the tournament on 14 previous occasions (two of which were withdrawals). They twice fell short in the bronze medal game, including an 11-3 thumping in 1928 by an Italy side that would provide several players for the 1934 World Cup-winning squad.
How did they qualify? Topped their U23 AFCON group despite an opening 0-0 draw with Niger, then defeated Guinea in the semifinals before Morocco's late turnaround in the final denied them back-to-back titles.
Star man: Ibrahim Adel. Despite some suggestion that Pyramids FC might withdraw Adel from the Olympic squad, he travels to France and appears set to be one of Egypt's key men, not least after netting twice in a pre-tournament friendly against Iraq. Regarded as a sensation in his youth, Adel scored 14 goals during his breakout season in 20-21, and, operating as a No. 10, was the outstanding individual at the U23 AFCON. He's already been capped by the senior team, and should be a joy to watch at the Games. With rumours of interest from clubs in Denmark, France, Belgium, and beyond, don't be surprised if Adel is playing in Europe before too long.
Players to watch: Goalkeeper Hamza Alaa of Al Ahly, defender Hossam Abdelmaguid of Zamalek, and Osama Faisal of National Bank of Egypt Club all caught the eye during the U23 AFCON. With another year of progress behind them, they should help Egypt reach the knockouts. Abdelmaguid may have been involved in disciplinary issues in Egypt, but he's already demonstrated his leadership qualities in defence and was influential as Zamalek won the CAF Confederation Cup earlier this year. Veteran Mohamed Elneny travels as the team's captain and one of their overaged players.
Fixtures: Dominican Republic (July 24), Uzbekistan (July 27) Spain (July 30).
Prediction: Uzbekistan and Dominican Republic are among the weakest sides to have qualified for the Olympics, so Egypt will definitely fancy their chances of reaching the knockouts. They won't be afraid of any of their potential quarterfinal opponents from Group C, and the Pharaohs certainly look good value for the semifinals at least.
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| Mali will be hoping that Boubacar Traoré rediscovers the form that prompted Wolverhampton Wanderers to take him to the Premier League from French club Metz. Jon Hobley/MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images |
Mali
Olympic pedigree: This is Mali's second qualification, and their first since 2004, when they topped their group before a narrow quarterfinal defeat by eventual bronze medalists Italy.
How did they qualify? Saw off Senegal in U23 AFCON qualification then advanced to the semifinals ahead of Niger and Gabon.
Star man: Boubacar Traoré has struggled to make the breakthrough at Premier League Wolverhampton Wanderers, with seven league starts a poor return last term as the club still awaits a return on their £10m investment. Nonetheless, Traore remains a well-rounded prospect capable of defensive rigour -- and who can still cause trouble going forward, when used more expansively, as he did with a recent long-range screamer against Uzbekistan. There's reported interest from Ligue 1, with scouts set to be watching the 21-year-old's performances in this tournament.
Player to watch: Ibrahima Cissé. Not to be confused with the ex-Fulham utility player of the same name, 23-year-old Cissé is another who may find himself the subject of intensifying transfer interest should he excel at the Olympics. Currently on the books of Schalke 04, his 1.96m of defensive authority in the backline has impressed clubs in England and France.
Fixtures: Israel (July 24), Japan (July 27), Paraguay (July 30)
Prediction: Comfortably the most evenly matched group on paper, with all four sides appearing capable of taking points from each other. Mali's robust style and the European experience in the squad should help them into the top two positions, although they'd be outsiders against either Spain or Egypt in the quarters.
- Ed Dove, Special to ESPN
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