Canceled last year due to the pandemic, the Africa Cup of Nations will take place in a few days in Cameroon. Several current or former OGC Nice players will be participating in the competition.
The AFCON will kick off this Sunday, January 9, with the Cameroon-Burkina Faso match. Until February 6, 2022, 24 teams will attempt to become the champions of Africa. Many of these African teams include players who have played or are currently playing for OGC Nice. Here is the list:
Algeria:
Youcef Atal: Having joined the club in 2018, Atal is now a key player and an indisputable starter both in the club and the national team. Unless an injury affects him, Atal could very well be the best full-back in the competition.
Adam Ounas: The Napoli player was loaned to the club from the French Riviera in January 2019. Wearing the red and black colors, he played 19 matches and scored 4 goals. Even though he mostly holds a substitute position in the national team, it’s not impossible that the former Bordeaux player is capable of making significant individual contributions.
Saïd Benrahma: The 26-year-old winger started his professional career at OGC Nice in 2013. Despite spending five years at the club, the current West Ham player never managed to establish himself and eventually moved to England to join Brentford. After two successful seasons in the Championship, he joined West Ham where he is currently establishing himself as one of the team’s best players, ranked fifth in the league table.
Atal and his two compatriots who passed through Nice can play a major role in the Fennecs’ African campaign in this 2022 edition. Being the titleholder of the 2019 competition and the recent winner of the Arab Cup, Algeria could potentially win a second consecutive title.
Cameroon:
Stéphane Bahoken: Born in Grasse, Stéphane Bahoken is a child of Nice. He started playing football at ASPTT Grasse before joining OGC Nice’s training center at the age of 14. The forward made his professional debut in 2014 but only played 18 matches, scoring 2 goals. He eventually left on loan to join Scotland, and then was permanently bought by Strasbourg, who sold him to Angers in 2018.
Ignatius Ganago: Another Cameroonian forward who passed through the French Riviera club. Now at Lens, the number nine started his professional career with OGC Nice, staying for three years on the Côte d’Azur, totaling 62 matches and 7 goals scored.
Ivory Coast:
Jean-Michael Séri: The midfielder had an exceptional stint at the Gym during his three seasons (2015-2018). He was the playmaker for the Aiglons and one of the best midfielders in Ligue 1. He was even on the verge of joining FC Barcelona before the Catalan management reversed their decision, leading the Ivorian to ultimately leave Nice for Fulham. Unfortunately, since his departure, the player, now 30, has never regained the level he displayed during his Nice tenure. Nevertheless, he remains an important figure and a key starter for the Elephants.
Gabon:
Mario Lemina: Arriving this summer from Southampton, Lemina is in his first season with the Aiglons. The Gym made a gamble by recruiting this player, but the Gabonese vice-captain is delivering very good performances and bringing his wealth of experience as the season begins. The midfield operator even scored his first goal for Nice with a lovely strike against Lens before the winter break.
There is no doubt that if Gabon advances far in the competition, it will be thanks to him.
Senegal:
Nampalys Mendy: Another child of the region and the club. Born in La Seyne-sur-Mer, Nampalys Mendy played for Toulon and Monaco before joining the Nice club in 2013. He was one of the best players to wear the Riviera colors during his tenure and even became team captain. In 2016, the defensive midfielder departed for £15 million to Leicester to replace Kanté, who left for Chelsea. He returned to the Côte d’Azur on loan a year later but wasn’t retained, and the Senegalese player still plays for the Foxes today.
