Michael Jones is joined by journalists Dan Orlowitz, Sha Nen, Calvin Kaumba Chikenge and Ibrahim Mustapha to reflect on Afcon 2023 and the 2023 Asian Cup.

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Michael Jones is joined by Kenyan sports journalists Alasdair Howorth, Eric Njiru and Japan football analyst Mubarak Alkubaisi to preview the Round of 16 games for the 2023 AFC Asian Cup and Afcon 2023 whilst analysing the group stages.

Shownotes

Afcon 2023

2023 Asian Cup

Michael Jones is joined by East Asia sports journalist Ryan Walters, Ibrahim Mustapha (the author of No Longer Naive), and Zambian sports reporter Calvin Kaumba Chikenge to preview the Round of 16 games for the 2023 AFC Asian Cup and Afcon 2023 whilst analysing the group stages.

Shownotes

2023 Asian Cup Round of 16

Afcon 2023 Round of 16

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Michael Jones is joined by Algerian sports journalist Dean Ammi, Australian sports journalist and author Sha Nen and Japanese sports journalist Dan Orlowitz to dissect the opening games of Afcon 2023 and the 2023 AFC Asian Cup. Michael also speaks to Equatorial Guinea and Polokwane City goalkeeper, Manuel Sapunga, in an exclusive interview.

Dean Ammi & Michael review Afcon 2023 so far..

1:35 - Could Seko Fofana potentially be a player of the tournament? | 3:05 - Does Nigeria's attacking-heavy team blur perceptions of their squads actual ability?

5:00 - Exclusive interview with Equatorial Guinea goalkeeper Manuel Sapunga

13:36 - Should Egypt follow Mozambique's lead and inject more youth into their side? | 15:30 - The culmination of factors leading to Ghana's surprise defeat to Cape Verde Islands.

17:35 - Celebrating The Gambia's participation, and the statement performance from Lamine Camara | 19:13 - Is Nicolas Jackson not in Aliou Cissé's plans? | Unfortunate Guinea look a threat, how many more André Onana sagas can Cameroon take?

24:00 - Why Algeria and North African countries are struggling in the Ivory Coast. Will the return of one of Europe's leading scorers revive The Fennec Foxes? | 28:15 - Have Burkina Faso finally banished their bad form?

29:40 - Are Tunisia too reliant on Youssef Msakni?

36:20 - Did Qatar's opening performance begin to heal the wounds from the 2022 World Cup? | 38:40 - Tajikistan were unlucky against China, have they missed their chance to progress?

40:59 - Mixed responses to Australia's victory over India, and the outstanding cameo from 21-year-old Jordan Bos | 44:46 - Are Syria or Uzbekistan the sterner test for Australia?

47:09 - Why Iran are rightly favourites, and are they more expansive than they were under Carlos Quieroz? | 49:40 - Impressive start for United Arab Emirates, but Hong Kong can remain positive

51:12 - Japan vs Vietnam: game of the tournament? Did Nguyễn Đình Bắc mean to score that header? | 56:30 - Did Indonesia vs Iraq demonstrate the closing of the gap across Asian football?

1:00:30 - Respite for South Korea's Jürgen Klinsmann, but can he end their 64 year trophy drought? | 1:02:05 - How did Jordan vs Malaysia wildly defy expectations?

Michael Jones is joined again by Australian sports journalist and Asian football expert, Sha Nen, as they preview Groups D - F of teams participating at the 2023 AFC Asian Cup. Michael also speaks to Kyrgyzstan and former Slovakia manager Štefan Tarkovič, in an exclusive interview.

Shownotes

Group D (Japan, Indonesia, Iraq and Vietnam)

1:05 - Japan look the real deal, but do they have one possible weakness? | 3:52 - Will Indonesia's inexperienced team be inspired by Jordi Amat? | 6:15 - Are Iraq taking a leaf out of Australia's book? | 9:10 - Vietnam may be an unknown on the international stage, but will their impressive youth programme stand them in good stead?

Group E (South Korea, Malaysia, Jordan and Bahrain)

11:30 - Can Kim Min-Jae end South Korea's 63 year Asian Cup drought? | 13:25 - Does Malaysia's successfully run league help the national team? | 14:58 - Jordan endured a terrible 2023, but, will their underdog reputation carry them through the group? | 16:29 - Has the high profile appointment of Juan Antonio Pizzi led to improvements for Bahrain?

Group F (Saudi Arabia, Thailand, Oman and Kyrgyzstan)

18:18 - Despite having Euro 2020 winning coach Roberto Mancini at the helm, has the Italian underestimated the Saudi Arabian job? | 21:03 - Why did Thailand part with Alexandre Polking? | 22:27 - Why Oman versus Kyrgyzstan is a neutrals pick

24:45 - Exclusive interview with Kyrgyzstan head coach Štefan Tarkovič

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Michael Jones is joined by Australian sports journalist and Asian football expert, Sha Nen, as they preview Groups A - C of teams participating at the 2023 AFC Asian Cup. Michael also speaks to Hong Kong and Radcliffe FC defender, Sean Tse, in an exclusive interview.

Shownotes

Group A (Qatar, China, Tajikistan and Lebanon)

2:25 - Will Carlos Queiroz's last minute departure ruin Qatar's hopes of holding onto their crown? | 5:22 - Can China's ageing squad defy sceptics? | 8:43 - Are the youthful Tajikistan the tournament's dark horses? | 12:03 - Why Miodrag Radulović's return to Lebanon is not a sign of desperation

Group B (Australia, Uzbekistan, Syria and India)

14:20 - Why Australia's squad is built for the long term | 18:30 - Have Uzbekistan's chances of progress been dashed by the absence of Eldor Shomurodov? | 20:21 - Who will step up for Syria following the retirement of Omar Al Somah? | 22:27 - At 39 years of age, can Sunil Chhetri build on his Indian legacy?

Group C (Iran, United Arab Emirates, Hong Kong and Palestine)

27:35 - Is Iran's mentality better prepared to tackle tougher tests? | 29:31 - Are Paulo Bento's UAE the best team outside of the traditional 'big five'? | 31:20 - Will the man who managed Mainz between Jürgen Klopp and Thomas Tuchel continue to create miracles with Hong Kong? | 40:11 - Palestine's appearance in the tournament itself is a huge achievement, but in huge adversity, can they bring more joy in horrific times?

Exclusive interview with Hong Kong centre back Sean Tse - 32:45

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Michael Jones is joined again by sports journalist and author of No Longer Naive, Ibrahim Mustapha, as they preview Groups D - F of teams participating at Afcon 2023. Michael also speaks to Zambia and Ayr United defender, Frankie Musonda, in an exclusive interview.

Shownotes

Group D (Algeria, Angola, Burkina Faso and Mauritania)

1:24 - Have Algeria learned the lessons of their ill-fated Afcon 2022? | 4:10 - After a number of high-profile omissions including Mbala Nzola and Helder Costa, is there any hope for Angola? | 6:15 Can Burkina Faso rediscover their Afcon form after a disappointing 2023? | 7:35 - After working miracles with Comoros in 2022, can head coach Amir Abdou steer Mauritania to similar success?

Group E (Tunisia, Mali, South Africa and Tunisia)

9:18 - How do Tunisia consistently defy expectations? | 11:03 - Will an El Bilal Touré shaped hole hinder Mali's prospects? | 12:00 - With Lyle Foster ruled out for medical reasons, can Percy Tau carry the flame for Bafana Bafana? | 14:53 - Can Namibia's unknown quantity be their greatest asset?

Group F (Morocco, DR Congo, Tanzania, Zambia)

16:08 - Morocco no longer have their element of surprise, can Walid Regragui lead The Atlas Lions to glory? | 17:35 - With Yoane Wissa, Cedric Bakambu, Silas and Simon Banza, can the Democratic Republic of Congo capitalise on their attacking prowess? | 19:55 - Can Tanzania's solidarity be enough to send the biggest underdogs into the knockouts?

21:00 - Exclusive interview with Ayr United defender - Frankie Musonda

30:50 - Michael and Ibrahim reveal their predictions for

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Host Michael Jones is joined by sports journalist and author of No Longer Naive, Ibrahim Mustapha, as they preview Group A - C of teams participating at Afcon 2023. Michael also speaks to The Gambia manager, Tom Saintfiet, in an exclusive interview.

Shownotes

Group A (Ivory Coast, Guinea-Bissau, Nigeria & Equatorial Guinea)

3:05 - Can Ivory Coast's more harmonious political situation galvanise the hosts? | 6:15 - Who is Guinea-Bissau's breakout 19-year-old star Franculino Djú? | 8:30 -Nigeria's need to find form and figure out their best attack | 12:11 - Under their inspirational coach Juan Micha, should expectations for Equatorial Guinea be raised?

Group B (Egypt, Mozambique, Ghana, Cape Verde Islands)

13:30 - Will Mo Salah finally lift Africa's biggest trophy under the guidance of Rui Vitória? | 15:22 - Which returning players will give 111th ranked Mozambique hope? | 15:55 - The issues overshadowing Ghana's preparations, under Chris Hughton are they prepared to rise in the face of adversity? | 18:54 - Does the Cape Verde diaspora create consistency issues?

Group C (Senegal, The Gambia, Guinea, Cameroon)

21:15 - Exclusive interview with Tom Saintfiet | 39:28 - Despite Senegal's quality on the pitch, will off-field issues prove too strong of a distraction? | 41:55 - Do Guinea have enough quality to create chances for their talisman, Serhou Guirassy? | 43:10 - Has Cameroon coach Rigobert Song shot himself in the foot by omitting Eric Choupo-Moting and Carles Baleba?