APA-Dakar (Senegal) Participating nations in the Africa Cup of Nations (AfCON) are becoming increasingly demanding of results.
By Ibrahima Dione
The 34th edition, organised in Côte d’Ivoire from 13 January to 11 February 2024, has confirmed the need for coaches involved in the competition to deliver results.
AfCON, a crusher of coaches [3/3]
The important thing is to take part – this quote from Baron Pierre de Coubertin, the father of the modern Olympic Games, no longer applies to the biennial showpiece of African football. Formatted to accommodate 24 teams since 2019, the Africa Cup of Nations (AfCON) has become a tournament in which coaches pay dearly for their mistakes.
Adel Amrouche’s outburst
Tanzania’s Algerian coach dropped a bombshell on 15 January 2024 when he said: “The Federation Royale Marocaine de Football (FRMF) is a power in
African football. It’s Morocco that manages African football that has
the upper hand in choosing referees and schedules.”
He made these accusations in the wake of the Taifa Stars’ emphatic 3-0 defeat by the Atlas Lions.
Central defender Roman Saïss opened the scoring with a left foot shot after Hakim Ziyech’s powerful free-kick was parried by goalkeeper Aishi Manula in the 30th minute. Tanzania were reduced to ten men in the second half when Novatus Miroshi was shown a second yellow card, synonymous with red thanks to a late tackle on Azzedine Ounahi in the 70th minute.
Walid Regragui’s men took advantage to put the game to bed after a magnificent team move was finished off by Ounahi (77’).
Youssef En-Nesyri then latched onto Achraf Hakimi’s inch-perfect cross
to fire home an instant left-foot finish (80’).
Appointed in March 2023, Adel Amrouche, 55 was suspended for eight
matches by the Disciplinary Committee of the Confederation of African
Football (CAF) for his post-match comments. The former USM Alger coach
was also fined €9,200 by the governing body.
In the history of the Africa Cup of Nations (AfCON), no coach has
ever been subject to such a sanction in the middle of a competition.
Through its president Wallace Karia, the Tanzanian Football Federation
(TFF) dissociated itself from the coach, who, it claimed, had made
“imprudent and provocative” statements.
Amrouche was then sacked even though his contract was supposed to ran until 2026.
In his stead, assistant coach Hemeed Suleiman from Morocco secured his
country’s first point at a FIFA World Cup finals.
Tanzania and Zambia played out a 1-1 draw on Matchday 2. Simon Msuva, well set up by Mbwana Ally Samatta, gave the Taifa Stars the lead with a powerful
shot (11’) before Patson Daka cut inside at the near post from a corner to restore parity (88’).
Throughout the second half, after left-back Roderick Kabwe’s charge on
Samatta resulted in a red card, Tanzania played with numerical
superiority but were unable to find a way through.
The Taifa Stars then took on the Democratic Republic of Congo and
could have qualified if they had won. But the Leopards were stronger
that day and match’s goalless draw did not reflect their clear dominance.
In their third appearance at the CAF Africa Cup of Nations, Tanzania
finished bottom of their group. Although the East African country has
yet to win a single match in the biennial tournament, it can
nonetheless console itself with the first two points in its history.
Egypt misrepresented by Rui Vitoria
Reigning African vice-champions Egypt, who lost only on penalties to
Senegal, were one of the favourites for the 2023 tournament. In Côte
d’Ivoire, the Pharaohs lost what had been their strength under Carlos
Queiroz: defensive solidity.
Egypt were neutralised by Mozambique (2-2) in their competition opener. It was centre-forward Mostafa Mohamed who got them into a winning position in the second minute. In the second half, the Mambas rallied and turned the game on its head with two quickfire goals in the space of just three minutes.
Mohamed El Shenawy’s hand was not firm enough to keep out Witi’s header (55’). Clesio Bauque was sent clear and then outpaced colossus Ahmed Hegazy to put the ball past the keeper (58’). The Pharaohs were fortunate to salvage a draw thanks to a late penalty converted by Mohamed Salah with the help of the post (90+7’).
Ahmed Sayed ‘Zizo’ and his team-mates did not get back to winning ways against Ghana. Mohammed Kudus set the Black Stars alight with a delightful
shot (45+3’) and a curling effort that was deflected by central defender Mohamed Abdel Monem (71’). Unfortunately, his partners Iñaki Williams and Osman Bukari committed mistakes which gifted Omar Marmoush (69’)
and Mostafa Mohamed (74’) goals to save Egyptian blushes.
The Pharaohs’ defensive frailties, without Salah who suffered a hamstring injury in the previous match, were again evident against Cape Verde. The Blue Sharks struck first through Gilson Tavares after a sublime turn in the penalty area (45+1’).
From a corner, Mahmoud Hassan “Trezeguet” stole the ball and played a
one-two with Hegazy up front. The winger’s left-footed shot evaded the
attentions of Josimar Dias, nicknamed Vozinha (50′).
In added time, the match went into overdrive. Mostafa Mohamed latched
on to a long ball in the air, controlled it on the edge of the area and followed up with a clever lob (90+3’). At that point, the Pharaohs thought they had done the hard part. But Bryan Silva Teixera Jr., on the lookout after a shot had been saved by El Shenawy, picked up the ball, dribbled and struck into an empty net (90+9’).
With three draws in as many games, six goals scored and as many conceded, Egypt finished second in their group behind Cape Verde (7 points). In the last 16, they were drawn against the Democratic Republic of Congo, who had had a similar run in the first round (3 points).
In a game where the Pharaohs are out of their depth – the Leopards found a way through. Aware of the referees’ misgivings about a throw-in, Arthur Masuaku was quick to pick up the ball and pass it to Yoane Wissa, leaving the opposition defence static. Captain Hegazy challenged the Congolese player and deflected his cross past goalkeeper Mohamed Abou Gabal “Gabaski”.
Meschack Elia, in full flow, extended the ball into the empty net (37’).
Involved in both good and bad moves, Hegazy was elbowed in the face by
Dylan Batubinsika in an aerial duel. The referee used Video Assistant
Referee (VAR) to detect the foul and pointed to the penalty spot. Mostafa Mohamed, in full control, executed the penalty (45+1’).
Despite the dismissal of left-back Mohamed Hamdy Sharaf (97’) for kicking Simon Banza’s ankle, the two teams were unable to settle the tie at the end of extra time. In the shoot-out that followed, the punters were betting on the Pharaohs, whose goalkeeper is a specialist in keeping out spotkicks. However, nothing went according to plan.
Gabaski made no saves from eight shots. Masuaku, scorer of the Leopards’ only miss, failed to get his shot on target. The Egyptian keeper decided to force the issue after diving in vain. Gabaski missed his own penalty and had no answer to Lionel Mpasi-Nzau’s winning kick which took the Leopards to the quarterfinals. Final score (1-1, penalty shootouts 7-8).
On 4 February, in a press release, the Egyptian Football Association (EFA) “thanked Rui Vitoria and his team of assistants.” It also apologised to the fans for “not meeting the objectives.” The Portuguese manager will have been in charge of the Pharaohs for just a year and a half.
No miracle for Hubert Velud
The Burkinabe Football Federation (FBF) “has taken the decision not to renew the contract of the national coach and the entire coaching staff. The results have fallen short of people’s expectations. The management style observed during the AfCON is out of step with the ambitions of the Executive Committee,” wrote the FBF in a press release following the team’s elimination by Mali (1-2) in the
last 16 of the competition.
The Stallions made a timid start to this battle at the Amadou Gon Coulibaly stadium in Korhogo, in the north of Côte d’Ivoire, which borders Mali and Burkina Faso. That day, the Eagles dominated proceedings. Under pressure from their opponents, Burkina Faso central defender Edmond Tapsoba scored an own goal as early as the 3rd minute.
At the start of the second half, due to lapses in concentration, Burkina Faso conceded another goal, this time from Lassine Sinayoko.
The Malian centre-forward’s strike took the belief out of the Stallions.
Mohamed Konaté missed a header from Issa Kabore’s cross. Centre-back Boubakar Kouyaté “Kiki” was unlucky to see the ball hit his hand, which had moved away from his body.
The referee, aided by VAR, awarded Burkina Faso a penalty. Bertrand
Traore made no mistake when he caught Djigui Diarra off guard. Mohamed
Konate (72’) created an interesting situation, but Mali’s last line of
defence saved his shot. Issoufou Dayo headed in what looked like an
equaliser but was eventually flagged offside (90’).
The Eagles held firm against the Stallions’ slow attacks and managed to see out the rest of the game.
Semi-finalists in the previous edition, the country of the Honest Men
came to a screeching halt in the first knockout round and Coach Hubert
Velud, 64, paid the ultimate price. The French coach, who had previously
managed Togo, Sudan and TP Mazembe of DR Congo, had replaced
local man Kamou Malo in April 2022 for a two-year stint.
The Côte d’Ivoire odyssey got off to a good start with a narrow win
over Mauritania. The Mourabitounes caused the Stallions plenty of
problems, but their salvation came in the dying moments. Bertrand
Traore’s through ball saw Issa Kabore brought down in the box at the
end of his run. Alain Traore’s younger brother then converted the
resulting penalty, wrongfooting Goalkeeper Babacar Niasse who went to his left as the ball rolled the other way.
Burkina Faso put in a fine 2-2 performance against Algeria, even if they
fell short of victory. On the stroke of half-time, before the
referee sent the two sides into the dressing room, Mohamed Konate directed
a diving header into the net. Shortly after the restart, Baghdad Bounedjah equalised.
The Stallions, far from being beaten continued their industry in attack. Issa Kabore, again, brought down by Rayan Aït Nouri in the box. The result was a
penalty and a goal from Bertrand Traore. The Fennecs will eventually draw
level thanks to top striker Bounedjah who secured a brace.
Not wanting to cross swords with Mali in the next round, Burkina Faso
had to beat Angola on the final day.
In the first half, Angolan sensation Mabululu popped up at the near post to beat Herve Koffi from a free-kick. Zini crucified the Stallions with another goal in the second half.
Between the two goals, Hubert Velud’s charges rarely threatened.
ID/ac/fss/as/APA