The Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) gets underway in the Ivory Coast next week with several high-profile players from Europe’s top divisions set to take part.
We look at which countries have the most expensive squads and players based on transfer value.
According to a report from Transfer Market Value, Nigeria tops the list of the most expensive squads in the tournament with an estimated transfer value of €346.20 million.
Much of that is down to one player in Napoli striker Victor Osimhen, who is said to be worth a whopping €110 million.
The 25-year-old scored 26 goals in 32 Serie A games last season and seven in 13 so far this campaign. He has been heavily linked with a move to the Premier League in the future and a strong AFCON will not harm his chances of securing a big-money move.
Behind Nigeria for the most expensive squads in the tournament are Morocco, host Ivory Coast, and Senegal who have squads worth €315.15 million €265.38 million, and, €236.00 million in the transfer market according to the report.
Out of the 24 nations that will take part in the tournament, only one of them will be left standing on the podium come 11th February 2024 with the trophy.
Going into the event, Morocco, Senegal, Tunisia, Algeria, Egypt, and Nigeria stay as the top six teams out of Africa according to the last FIFA World Rankings of men’s national football teams.
However, the tables turn when it comes to value placed on these African senior national sides which comes from the array of prized stars within their squad.
Interestingly, out of the top six most-ranked African teams globally, only Nigeria, Morocco, and Senegal are in the top five most valuable teams heading into AFCON 2023.
Here is the Value of All 24 Teams Squad For AFCON 2023:
1) 🇳🇬 Nigeria: €346.20 million
2) 🇲🇦 Morocco: €315.15 million
3) 🇨🇮 Ivory Coast: €265.38 million
4) 🇸🇳 Senegal: €236.00 million
5) 🇨🇲 Cameroon: €165.05 million
6) 🇬🇭 Ghana: €164.93 million
7) 🇲🇱 Mali: €164.15 million
8) 🇩🇿 Algeria: €157.70 million
9) 🇪🇬 Egypt: €107.90 million
10) 🇨🇩 DR Congo: €103.95 million
11) 🇬🇳 Guinea: €58.35 million
12) 🇹🇳 Tunisia: €56.65 million
13) 🇧🇫 Burkina Faso: €56.30 million
14) 🇬🇲 Gambia: €36.88 million
15) 🇿🇲 Zambia: €29.48 million
16) 🇿🇦 South Africa: €27.13 million
17) 🇦🇴 Angola: €21.90 million
18) 🇨🇻 Cape Verde: €12.95 million
19) 🇬🇼 Guinea-Bissau: €12.63 million
20) 🇲🇷 Mauritania: €6.78 million
21) 🇲🇿 Mozambique: €5.18 million
22) 🇹🇿 Tanzania: €4.85 million
23) 🇬🇶 Equatorial Guinea: €3.45 million
24) 🇳🇦 Namibia: €3.23 million
