Winning any major international tournament has always been a difficult task even for the perennial winners. AFCON 2023 kicks off on Saturday and the stakes are high as the winner takes home a whopping $7M, the coveted AFCON trophy and bragging rights. A lot of factors would play key roles before one can win the 2023 AFCON.
Here, Sportsworldghana takes its cherished readers through the factors that can help the teams lift the AFCON on 11th February.
Commitment and Determination
Commitment and Determination are two things that every team wins with. Zambia brought an average number of players in 2021 but because they were committed and determined, Chipolopolo eliminated Ghana in the semi-finals and won on penalties against the star-studded Ivory Coast in the finals.
When an average team is united and willing to die for the team, they stand a chance of upsetting any team full of stars.
Egypt has won 4 AFCONS since 1998 simply because they are committed, more determined and willing to die for the nation. Any team that wants to win AFCON 2023 needs to show commitment, unity, determination and willingness.
Beating the big boys
You can have your way in the group stages but can’t hide in the knockout stage as you will play at least twice against the big boys in the knockout stage. Algeria in 2019 beat Senegal twice in the group stage and in the finals. The Fennec Foxes eliminated Ivory Coast on penalties and beat Nigeria in the semi-finals. This means Algeria played four times against 3 of the big boys. Whoever is ready to beat the Giants will have an immense chance of lifting the trophy. Egypt in a space of 4 years defeated Cameroon, Ivory Coast, Nigeria, Senegal, Algeria and Ghana and it was the reason why they won the 2006, 2008 and 2010 AFCONs.
Tactics
Games are won from the bench when players are mentally exhausted. AFCON 2023 has great coaches who have managed at the top level of World Football. Avram Grant went toe-to-toe against Sir Alex Fergusson in the 2008 UCL finals. Chris Houghton has come face-to-face against Jose Mourinho, Klopp, Pep Guardiola, Pochettino and many top Premier League managers in the English Premier League. Portuguese tactician Rui Vitoria has coached Benfica, and Spartak Moscow among others. Jean-Louis Gasset has managed Bordeau, Saint- Etienne and many other teams. Aliou Cisse, Hugo Broos and Djamel Belmadi are the winners of the last three AFCONs and they have proven their worth on the big stage.
The 2023 AFCON coaches have great profiles that show how tactical they are.
AFCON 2023 would not short world-class managers as their decisions and thinking will certainly win the trophy.
Big players stepping up
You need your big-name players to step up to win any trophy. Dos Santos stepped up when Tunisia won the 2004 AFCON. M’boma, Eto’o, and Lauren all stepped up when Cameroon won back-to-back AFCONs in 2000 and 2002. Aboutrika, Hossam Hassan, Mido, Ahmed Hassan, Zaky and Essam Haddary played a major role when Egypt conquered the continent for six years. Mweene, Katongo, Mahrez, Vincent Aboubakar and Sadio Mane did their best when their countries won the AFCON. You need a star to deliver at this level.
Injuries
Injuries will surely determine who will win the AFCON as it has already damaged most of the teams heading to the opening weekend of the competition. Wilfred Ndidi, Victor Boniface and Taiwo Awoni are already missing for Nigeria. Bryan Mbeumo is out for Cameroon as injuries did not allow Ghana’s Thomas Partey to be in Ivory Coast. The Lions of Teranaga are sweating on the fitness of Nampalys Mendy, Gana Gueye and Youssif Sabaly.
The host doesn’t know when Haller and Adingra will be fully fit for the tournament.
Countries like Algeria, Egypt, and Morocco are lucky enough to not be missing big-name players.
During the tournament, when your key player gets injured, it will affect your performance hence injuries will play a massive role in lifting the trophy.
Experience
Experience is needed and it will be very precious in the AFCON. Senegal won their first AFCON in 2021 having tried on so many occasions just like Zambia.
The experienced teams are likely to lift the trophy. Morocco has a team that contains the core of the team that had fun at the 2022 Qatar World Cup but lacks immense experience at the AFCON because they have flatter to deceive in the tournament.
Tunisia will be making its 16th consecutive appearance in the tournament. Egypt, Ivory Coast, Ghana, Cameroon and Algeria have tremendous experience in this tournament so it is not a surprise at all to see them among the bookie’s favourites.
