Benatia: Morocco, Senegal are AFCON Favorites

Ex-Juventus centre-back Mehdi Benatia considers Senegal and Algeria as favorites to land the coveted Africa Cup of Nations title in Egypt.

The 32-year-old, who only left Juventus January this year for Qatari moneybags Al Duhail, refuses to rule out Morocco as candidates but believes the likes of Senegal and Algeria are crucial in this aspect.

“It’s going to be my fourth African Cup and each time we consider Morocco as a favorite for the final consecration,” he says.
“I do not like thinking that way. My opinion is that Senegal is the favorite for this CAN and the Algerian selection. All matches will be complicated and all teams are difficult,” Mehdi, who had eight trophies in a nomadic career that began in Marseille’s reserves leading to eventual stops at AS Roma, Bayern Munich and Juventus, says.

A one-time transfer target of Manchester United, Benatia is expected to play a key role in Morocco’s quest to seek an AFCON gong since 1976.

Medi has started seven times for Al Duhail in the just-concluded football term with his side finishing second best to eventual title winners Al Sadd.