The Total Africa Cup of Nations 2019 kicked off yesterday as hosts Egypts battled Zimbabwe and emerged with a 1-0 victory in the tournament opener on Friday, June 22, in Cairo, Egypt.
The 24-team tournament will for the first time have four East African countries namely Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania and Burundi compete.
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The progressive development of East African football has rendered the sport more popular over recent times.
As a result big football names have emerged from the region and now ply their trade in top football leagues the world over.
Tottenham's Victor Wanyama, Michael Olunga and Genk's Mbwana Samatta are just some of the high calibre East Africans at the 32nd AFCON edition.
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As the four teams prepare to battle in their various groups here is a look at nine men who are bound to light up the stage in Egypt on account of their impressive skills and abilities;
Dennis Onyango - Uganda
Position: Goalkeeper
Club: Mamelodi Sundowns
Mbwana Samatta - Tanzania
Position: Forward
Club: Genk
Victor Wanyama - Kenya
Position: Midfielder
Club: Tottenham
Lumala Abdu - Uganda
Position: Forward
Club: Syrianska
Abdul Razak Fiston- Burundi
Position: Forward
Club: JS Kabylie
Michael Olunga - Kenya
Position: Forward
Club: Kashiwa Reysol
Farouk Miya - Uganda
Position: Midfielder
Club: HNK Gorica
Francis Kahata - Kenya
Position: Midfielder
Club: Gor Mahia
Ayub Timbe - Kenya
Position: Midfielder
Club: Beijing Renhe
Uganda is in group A, Burundi in group B while Taifa Stars and Harambee Stars are both pooled in group C.
Burundi will have Nigeria and Mali to mainly worry about, while Uganda will have to figure out how to dismantle giants Egypt, as Kenya and Tanzania both brace for Senegal and Algeria.
Source: Tuko.co.ke
