Emmanuel Petit: Bafana Bafana is Afcon’s dark horse contender
Emmanuel Petit, former World Cup winner, sees Bafana Bafana as a dark horse contender at the Africa Cup of Nations, with Morocco as the heavy favourites due to home advantage and star player Achraf Hakimi. Picture: Lillian Suwanrumpha/AFP
Image: Lillian Suwanrumpha/AFP
Former Fifa World Cup winner Emmanuel Petit fancies the chances of Bafana Bafana as a dark horse at the Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon).
The Frenchman, who made over 60 appearances for France, believes hosts Morocco would be the heavy favourites, as Achraf Hakimi will provide a starring role.
Petit, an English Premier League champion with Arsenal, was asked about Afcon, which starts in Morocco on December 21.
The tournament will begin with Morocco taking on Comoros at Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium.
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"Who are my favourites to win the Africa Cup of Nations? I would have to say Morocco because of the players they have, and they are playing at home. In Morocco, we have seen some social troubles in the streets two months ago. The fight was not far away,” Petit told Snabbare.
"We know that football can be very powerful in society to calm down the young generation. The African Player of the Year was Achraf Hakimi. The whole competition would be in Morocco. We all know the money and the expectation from the King of Morocco.”
While he believed Morocco would take some beating, he wouldn’t be surprised if Bafana added to the crown they won in the tournament for the first and only time in 1996.
"That being said, you can't rule out South Africa either after qualifying for the World Cup. Bafana Bafana are underdogs to go all the way at the Africa Cup of Nations."
Bafana open their campaign on December 22 against Angola at Stade de Marrakech.