The next Africa Cup of Nations is close enough that coaches have stopped talking in long term ideas. The focus everywhere is on what can actually be fixed before the first whistle. The warm up matches in November and early December have already given a clearer picture of where each team stands, and it is not the same landscape people expected a year ago. Even platforms that track trends, have already shifted the way they measure the field.

North African teams look stable but not flawless

Morocco arrive with the least mystery. Their recent run of results has been steady rather than spectacular, but steady is often enough when tournament football starts. The two one win against Zambia in Marrakech last month looked routine, but it showed exactly what Morocco lean on now. They defend in second gear, rarely rush their buildup and wait for one of their full backs to release the tempo. Hakimi still gives them a level of control on the right that no other African team has. Their weakness is the same as it was in Qatar. When the game slows and opponents stay compact for long stretches, Morocco sometimes find it difficult to create clean chances.

Algeria enter AFCON after a strange qualifying cycle. They had a good win over Guinea in June, lost control against Uganda a week later and spent most of the year trying to find the right balance in midfield. Their recent friendly against South Korea, a two two draw in Seoul, showed both sides of the team. They can move the ball with confidence but they switch off in key moments. Mahrez still pulls attention, but the real improvement has come from the younger midfielders who now carry more of the work.

Tunisia remain the most predictable team in North Africa, but that is rarely a criticism. They finished their qualifying cycle without conceding in the final stretch, and their friendly win over Mauritania in October was another reminder of how they operate. They do not take unnecessary risks and they do not collapse when the match becomes physical. Their challenge is still the lack of a consistent scorer. They create enough, but the finishing does not always match the volume.

West Africa brings more volatility

West Africa brings more volatility and Sportingbet South Africa fans might want to catch some of the action and bet on this situation. Senegal have looked sharp for most of the year. Their two zero win over Cameroon in Lens was one of their cleanest performances in months. The midfield controlled the match from the first minute and Jackson and Mane created problems every time the ball went wide. Senegal look ready for a tournament where discipline and patience matter more than wild attacking runs.

Cote d Ivoire still give mixed signals. They were excellent in their three zero win against Gabon in Abidjan where everything clicked, from the press to the final third combinations. A few weeks later they looked flat in a one one draw with Kenya. They can overpower teams when they get a good start, but they still lose momentum too quickly.

Ghana need clarity. Their recent results have been uneven. They played well in the match against Madagascar, where Kudus controlled the tempo and the attack looked coordinated. That performance did not carry over into the fixture against Comoros where Ghana lost the midfield battle and failed to respond. They remain a team that can rise or fall inside ten minutes.

Southern Africa and Cape Verde prepare quietly

South Africa have been one of the more stable sides this year. The draw against Algeria and the win over Benin were signs of progress. Their defensive structure has improved and they no longer give away easy goals as often as before. The issue is still chance creation which depends heavily on Percy Tau finding space.

Cape Verde approach the tournament differently. They rely on structure rather than individual stars. Their two one win over Angola showed exactly how they want to play. Compact shape, intelligent pressing triggers and the willingness to absorb pressure when needed.

AFCON arrives at a time when many teams know exactly what they are and what they are not. The warm up matches have removed the guesswork. What remains is execution. The tournament will show which teams can bring their best form to a stage where mistakes shrink margins and where ninety minutes can rewrite expectations for an entire nation.