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Angola eye new AFCON challenge

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Angola eye new AFCON challenge

Wants to return to the continent’s holy grail with a big bang

 

 

  • Angola is in Group D with Algeria, Burkina Faso, and Mauritania
  • The Palancas Negras are desperate to be counted again
  • The TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Côte d’Ivoire 2023 kicks off on January 13

 

After missing out on the last edition of the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), Angola wants to return to the continent’s holy grail with a big bang.

 

The Palancas Negras have blown hot and cold in the last decade. They played at the 2013 and 2019 AFCONs, failing to make it past the group stages, and did not qualify for the 2015, 2017, and 2021 editions.

 

But now that they are here, they want to turn over a new leaf and do something they have never done at the AFCON – win two games in the group stages and a knockout match. In eight AFCON editions, Angola has amassed just four victories in a possible 24 with 11 draws and nine losses. They want to break this jinx in Côte d’Ivoire.

 

Angola’s matches in Group D

15 January

Algeria – Angola: 20h00 GMT, Stade de la Paix, Bouaké

20 January

Mauritania – Angola: 17h00 GMT, Stade de la Paix, Bouaké

23 January

Angola – Burkina Faso: 20h00 GMT, Charles Konan Banny, Yamoussoukro

 

How Angola qualified:

Angola went into the last match day of qualification in search of victory against Madagascar at home to make it to Côte d’Ivoire on their terms.

 

Anything but defeat for the Central African Republic, who had amassed seven points in five games, would have sent Angola packing, even on goal difference.

 

But as fate would have it, an Ernest Nuamah 88th-minute goal handed Ghana a 2-1 victory over Central African Republic. The goalless draw with Madagascar was just enough to secure Palancas Negras a place in the final tournament.

 

The Palancas Negras will play in their ninth edition of the prestigious TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations.

 

Player to watch: Zito Luvumbo

The darling of Angolan football who has grown in leaps and bounds since his teenage years, graduating from a boy to a man on and off the pitch. In Côte d’Ivoire, he will be raring to go, ready to show this transition well, knowing that the world will be watching.

 

Zito Luvumbo has represented Angola right from the U15s, winning the COSAFA U17 Championship in 2018 before going on to inspire his nation to third place at the AFCON U17 the following year, subsequently earning Angola an inaugural appearance at the FIFA U17 World Cup.

 

Born in Luanda, Luvumbo’s eye for goal, impressive ball control on both feet with his sweet left foot predominantly torturing defenses, and ability to float between the right and left wings will be crucial for Angola’s attack in a tricky Group D.

 

He has firepower in his shots in and outside the box. This, coupled with an excellent eye for bringing timely crosses into the 18-yard box, is expected to add a spark to Angola’s style of play.

 

Helping Cagliari earn promotion to the Italian Serie A last season, scoring thrice and providing three assists in 18 appearances in all competitions this season, has prepared Luvumbo for the ever-demanding AFCON.

 

The coach: Pedro Gonçalves

Following impressive success at the youth level, winning the 2018 COSAFA U17 Championship before going on to finish third at the 2019 AFCON U17 in Tanzania after beating Nigeria 2-1 in the third-place playoff to subsequently qualify Angola to the FIFA U17 World Cup for the first time, the Portuguese tactician was entrusted with the Palancas Negras.

 

Gonçalves has been at the heart of Angola’s revamp for five years. He wants the Palancas Negras to play positive football and dominate ball possession, which gives his side the confidence to make decisions on their terms. He wants Angola to be competitive and innovative in how they play football.

 

In charge of Palancas Negras for 39 matches, including 16 wins, 13 draws, and 10 losses, Gonçalves knows that the AFCON is where it matters most. Everything has led to this.

 

He wants Angola to win two group-stage games and a knockout game and then build from there. This is his dream for the team as they head to Côte d’Ivoire.

 

Angola’s Previous TotalEnergies AFCON performances:

1996: 1st Round

1998: 1st Round

2006: 1st Round

2008: Quarterfinals

2010: Quarterfinals

2012: 1st Round

2013: 1st Round

2019: 1st Round

 

 

Super Eagles warn against another NFF deceit

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Super Eagles warn against another NFF deceit

Players are set for a showdown against NFF over outstanding allowances

 

 

By Ed Emeanua

 

Super Eagles players have warned of hell to pay should the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) again decide against meeting their demand to be paid outstanding allowances before their first AFCON 2023 match.

 

The players promise the football federation and the country some major embarrassment during the tournament should the body fail to fulfill the promise to clear all lingering allowances before the team’s first game in Cote d’Ivoire.

 

The African Cup of Nations (AFCON) is billed for five cities, spread over six stadiums in Cote d’Ivoire from January 13 through February 11. Nigeria is expected to begin Group A qualifying play against Equatorial Guinea at the Alassane Ouattara Stadium, Abidjan, on January 14 at 14:00 local time.

 

Twenty-four Super Eagles players are currently in training camp in the United Arab Emirates before the start of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.

 

The Federal Government of Nigeria has allocated the sum of $1.3M in funding for the Super Eagles’ AFCON 2023 Campaign in a significant gesture to motivate Nigeria’s national football team.

 

The approval of the government’s financial boost is a calculated backing to confirm the team’s best grooming, endeavor, and result in the continent’s most followed football championship.

 

 

The allocated funds are targeted toward the team’s AFCON push, encompassing coordination, preparational facilities, player participatory compensations, and general administration of the team.

 

The communication of the officially approved funding represents a concerted engagement to enable the Super Eagles to give their best performance to the country during the event.

 

In a similar attempt to spur the Super Eagles to success at AFCON 2023, NFF has already announced the approval of a bonus arrangement that involves an induced payment of $5,000 for each win at the group phase of the event.

 

The NFF says their reliance on a graded bonus plan depends on further appraisals during the championship, showcasing the Football Federation’s adaptability to rejig remunerations depending on the team’s total performance.

 

Sources close to the players reveal they are unfazed over the vociferous claims from Stewards of the NFF to adequately motivate the team monetarily to ensure a successful outing during AFCON 2023.

 

One of the sources claims the Federation made similar promises to the players two years ago in Cameroon ahead of the 2021 Nations Cup, only to disappoint the players in the end.

 

“Remember that the NFF also made the same promises before the 2022 final World Cup qualifiers with Ghana, before the start of the 2023 Nations Cup qualifiers, and the ongoing 2026 World Cup qualifiers, but they have not been able to keep any of these promises,” our source stated.

 

“On each occasion, the NFF also received approved budgets from the Federal Government but failed to pay the players their dues. The players are now used to empty words from the NFF and are not ready to be fooled by them again.”

 

Another source added: “The players feel that the NFF is treating them like kids that they could appease by handing them a football to go out and play with instead of listening to and meeting their demands.

 

“The players feel embarrassed by the NFF treatment and are ready to embarrass them in return. They are serious this time and will no longer settle for these empty vibes from the NFF.”

 

“We are talking about these grown men; most of the Super Eagles players, if not all, have children of their own.

 

“To continue treating them as shabbily as the NFF has done for years is a national disgrace. We are talking of over 26 accrued match bonuses and unpaid allowances dating back years.

 

“Are we going to say that if these players are the children of these people running our football, they would treat them the same way?

 

“The members of the NFF will not tell us that they are running the Federation without getting paid one way or the other. If that be the case, let them quit en mass so that others that can run the body progressively can come onboard.”

 

 

AFCON 2023: ‘Chipolopolo will go far’

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AFCON 2023: ‘Chipolopolo will go far’

Fit again Musonda fancies Zambia’s chances in tough Group F

 

Zambian defender, Frankie Musonda believes Chipolopolo have what it takes to do well in a very difficult TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Cote d’Ivoire 2023 Group F consisting of Morocco, DR Congo and Tanzania.

 

Champions of the 2012 edition in Gabon after defeating this year’s hosts, Cote d’Ivoire in a dramatic penalty final, Chipolopolo find themselves in a dicey group that requires nerves of steel to advance further.

 

Musonda, who recently recovered from an ankle injury sustained on duty at his Scottish club, Ayr United said he was excited to be back in the squad and believed in the team’s potential of doing well at Africa’s greatest football showpiece set to take place between 13 January – 11 February.

 

“I am really excited. I was unfortunate to get injured just before October and it carried on into November so I missed out but I’ve been back for six, seven weeks now and I feel good and excited to be part of the team and to be in camp”, said the 26-year-old defender.

 

“We travel very far so first and foremost; I just want to recover and also work tactically with the manager and tactical team and coaching staff so it should be good preparation ahead of the tournament in Cote d’Ivoire”, commented the defender from their training camp in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

 

The former champions are currently in Jeddah for their preparation camp and will wrap up their preparations with a friendly match against five-time champions, Cameroon before jetting off to Cote d’Ivoire on Monday, 11 January.

 

Commenting on the competitiveness of the group, the hard-tackling defender said all teams that had qualified for the tournament, including Zambia were good enough to win any match.

 

“It’s a very exciting group with tough opponents who qualified for this stage of the tournament. Everyone is a good team. Each game will be tough but, again we believe that each game we can win so I am very excited, and we just have to concentrate” concluded Musonda.

 

Chipolopolo kick off their Group F campaign with a clash against DR Congo at San Pedro’s Stade Laurent Pokou on Wednesday, 17 January.

 

Zambia’s Performance at the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations. 

 

  • This is Zambia’s 18th appearance at the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations, their first since 2015. Chipolopolo won the title in 2012, beating Côte d’Ivoire on penalties after a goalless final.

 

  • Six of Zambia’s last seven matches at the TotalEnergies AFCON have ended in a draw (L1). Their last victory at the tournament dates back to 2012, winning 1-0 against Ghana in the semi-finals before beating Côte d’Ivoire on penalties in the final (0-0, 8-7 pens).

 

  • Zambia are unbeaten in their last five opening matches at the TotalEnergies AFCON (W2 D3). The last time they lost their first match in an edition of the tournament was in 2006 (1-4 v Tunisia).

 

  • Patson Daka scored 42% of Zambia’s goals in the qualifiers for this year’s edition (5 out of 12). He made his international debut for Chipolopolo four months after Zambia’s last appearance in 2015.

 

  • This is Avram Grant’s third TotalEnergies AFCON as manager. He led Ghana to second place in 2015 and fourth place in 2017.

 

Air Cote d’Ivoire gets the nod

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Air Cote d’Ivoire gets the nod

 As CAF chooses AFCON 2023 official Air Carrier

 

 

The Confédération Africaine de Football (“CAF”) has announced Air Cote d’Ivoire as the latest Official Sponsor for the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Côte d’Ivoire 2023.

 

Through the partnership, Air Côte d’Ivoire, also the national airline of host country, Côte d’Ivoire, becomes the official carrier for the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Cote d’Ivoire 2023.

 

As the official carrier, Air Côte d’Ivoire will play a vital role in facilitating the transportation of teams, officials, and fans to and from the tournament venues across the West African country.

 

With their extensive network and modern fleet, the airline is well-equipped to ensure a seamless travel experience for all involved. 

 

Chief Executive Officer of Air Cote d’Ivoire, Laurent Loukou said: ”We are happy and proud of this partnership with CAF towards organising a memorable TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations for African football fans and beyond. Subsequently, our fleet and flight schedule have been readjusted to meet the travel needs of the competition.”

 

The tournament will take place from 13 January to 11 February 2024 in the cities of Abidjan, Bouake, Korhogo, San Pedro and Yamoussoukro.

 

For further inquiries, please contact:

communications@cafonline.com

CAF | Communication Department

                                                                       

About Air Cote d’Ivioire:

Air Côte d’Ivoire was created in May 2012 at the initiative of President Alassane OUATTARA, whose vision was to provide Côte d’Ivoire with a major airline that would contribute to its economic recovery and international influence.

 

Since the launch of its flights in November 2012, the company has grown rapidly to position itself very quickly as a market leader with more than 50% market share.

 

Wembanyama out-freaks the Greek Freak

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Wembanyama out-freaks the Greek Freak

Watch: Victor Wembanyama one-ups Giannis Antetokounmpo with nasty self-alley-oop

Giannis Antetokounmpo (44 PTS) & Victor Wembanyama (27 PTS) Battle It Out In INSTANT CLASSIC!

 

San Antonio Spurs rookie Victor Wembanyama out-freaked the Greek Freak Thursday against the Milwaukee Bucks at Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Texas, Renzo Pocholo Salao and Larry Brown reports.

Giannis Antetokounmpo gave the Bucks a 42-36 lead early in the second quarter with a sick spin move and slammed over multiple defenders. The kind of freakish athleticism earned the Bucks star his moniker.

Wembanyama took things to another level on the next possession. The Spurs youngster left the Bucks veteran in the dust and executed an unreal alley-oop to himself off the glass.

 

Here’s the dunk, as seen through the NBA phantom cam. Bucks’ big man Bobby Portis couldn’t hide his disbelief after watching the play up close.

 

 

Wembanyama entered halftime with an ordinary stat line of 8 points and 5 rebounds. It was a perfect example of how the box score does not tell the whole story.

 

 

The Frenchman also had another highlight-reel finish to start the second half. He paid homage to Jamal Crawford with the behind-the-back move, then dunked over 2023 DPOY runner-up Brooke Lopez.

 

 

The Spurs star’s jaw-dropping jams each counted as one field goal. But watching Wembanyama’s ridiculous combination of size and fluidity at work showcases his unbounded potential.

Wembanyama wasn’t even the only freakish 7-foot rookie to execute a self-alley-oop this season. The race for the 2023-24 Rookie of the Year projects to be one of the toughest in years.

Africans, Asians leave hole in Premier League

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Africans, Asians leave hole in Premier League

Which Premier League players are at the Africa Cup of Nations and AFC Asian Cup?

 

 

The Premier League will feel different throughout January and early February, as the Africa Cup of Nations and AFC Asian Cup will see a long list of big-time players representing their countries, USAToday reports.

 

The Cup of Nations, which Ivory Coast will host, is set to start on January 13 and run through February 11. Meanwhile, the Asian Cup will occur in Qatar from January 12 to February 10.

 

That means Premier League clubs will have to do without some vast names. Liverpool star Mohamed Salah, Brighton winger Kaoru Mitoma, Manchester United goalkeeper André Onana, and Chelsea striker Nicolas Jackson will all be away. At the same time, Nottingham Forest will have fewer than six players missing time.

 

Here is a complete list of all the Premier League players participating in the two major tournaments.

 

Arsenal – 2

  • Mohamed Elneny (Egypt)
  • Takehiro Tomiyasu (Japan)

Aston Villa – 1

  • Bertrand Traoré (Burkina Faso)

Bournemouth – 2

  • Dango Ouattara (Burkina Faso)
  • Antoine Semenyo (Ghana)

Brentford – 4

  • Saman Ghoddos (Iran)
  • Kim Ji-soo (Korea Republic)
  • Frank Onyeka (Nigeria)
  • Yoane Wissa (DR Congo)

 

Brighton – 1

  • Simon Adingra (Ivory Coast)
  • Kaoru Mitoma (Japan)

Burnley – 0

No Burnley players are on any team’s roster for the Africa Cup of Nations or AFC Asian Cup.

 

Chelsea – 1

  • Nicolas Jackson (Senegal)

Crystal Palace – 1

  • Jordan Ayew (Ghana)

Everton – 1

  • Idrissa Gueye (Senegal)

Fulham – 3

  • Calvin Bassey (Nigeria)
  • Fodé Ballo-Touré (Senegal)
  • Alex Iwobi (Nigeria)

 

Liverpool – 2

  • Wataru Endō (Japan)
  • Mohamed Salah (Egypt)

Luton Town – 1

  • Issa Kaboré (Burkina Faso)

Manchester City – 0

No Man City players are on any team’s roster for the Africa Cup of Nations or AFC Asian Cup.

Manchester United – 2

  • Sofyan Amrabat (Morocco)
  • André Onana (Cameroon)

Newcastle – 0

No Newcastle players are on any team’s roster for the Africa Cup of Nations or AFC Asian Cup.

Nottingham Forest – 6

  • Ola Aina (Nigeria)
  • Serge Aurier (Ivory Coast)
  • Willy Boly (Ivory Coast)
  • Cheikhou Kouyaté (Senegal)
  • Moussa Niakhaté (Senegal)
  • Ibrahim Sangaré (Ivory Coast)

Sheffield United – 2

  • Anis Ben Slimane (Tunisia)
  • Yasser Larouci (Algeria)

Tottenham – 3

  • Yves Bissouma (Mali)
  • Pape Matar Sarr (Senegal)
  • Son Heung-min (Korea Republic)

West Ham – 2

  • Nayef Aguerd (Morocco)
  • Mohammed Kudus (Ghana)

 

Wolves – 4

  • Rayan Aït-Nouri (Algeria)
  • Justin Hubner (Indonesia)
  • Hwang Hee-chan (Korea Republic)
  • Boubacar Traoré (Mali)

 

 

AFCON 2023 diaspora stars

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AFCON 2023 diaspora stars

Every MLS player at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations

 

Carlos Akapo hocked his trade in Spain for La Liga side Cádiz before he arrived in the MLS. He’s one of the diaspora stars of Africa expected to shine in Cote D’Ivoire during the 2023 AFCON tournament

 

According to Major League Soccer, when the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations begins on Jan. 13 in the Ivory Coast, three MLS players want to be crowned African champions by the Feb. 11 final.

 

The biennial tournament begins with 24 countries split into six groups, followed by a single-elimination knockout phase. Some of the sport’s biggest stars are in attendance, including Victor Osimhen (Nigeria), Mo Salah (Egypt), Sadio Mane (Senegal), and Achraf Hakimi (Morocco).

 

Initially slated for the summer of 2023, the tournament was moved to early 2024 due to extreme weather conditions in the Ivory Coast.

 

SJ-Akapo-Carlos-HEA-1080x1080
Carlos Akapo

Defender · San Jose Earthquakes
  • Team: Equatorial Guinea
  • Group: A
  • Schedule: Jan. 14 vs. Nigeria, Jan. 18 vs. Guinea-Bissau, Jan. 22 vs. Ivory Coast

 

Akapo is coming off a strong 2023 season for the San Jose Earthquakes, making 28 regular-season appearances (25 starts) while contributing two goals and four assists. The right-back originally joined the club in August 2022 after competing in Spain for La Liga side Cádiz.

 

Akapo has been capped 30 times by Equatorial Guinea since his 2013 debut. The 30-year-old scored one international goal in a September 2016 AFCON qualifier against South Sudan.

CLB-Moreira-Steven-HEA-1080x1080
Steven Moreira

Defender · Columbus Crew
  • Team: Cape Verde
  • Group: B
  • Schedule: Jan. 14 vs. Ghana, Jan. 19 vs. Mozambique, Jan. 22 vs. Egypt

 

Moreira was crucial during the Columbus Crew’s 2023 MLS Cup title run and will chase a similar feat at AFCON with Cape Verde. The former France youth international will contend with a challenging Group B, which includes two perennially strong opponents in Ghana and Egypt.

 

Moreira received his first Cape Verde call-up in October 2023, debuting in a friendly defeat to Algeria. The 29-year-old is a dynamic threat for Columbus from his now-hybrid center-back role, tallying 1g/16a in 73 games since joining from the Ligue 1 side of Toulouse.

sea-nouhou-HEA-1080x1080
Nouhou

Defender · Seattle Sounders FC
  • Team: Cameroon
  • Group: C
  • Schedule: Jan. 15 vs. Guinea, Jan. 19 vs. Senegal, Jan. 23 vs. Gambia

 

A longtime fan-favorite at Seattle Sounders FC, Nouhou is a regular for Cameroon and memorably drew headlines during the 2021 AFCON semifinals. That’s when the left back went toe-to-toe with Salah, helping keep the Liverpool star off the scoresheet during a 0-0 draw that eventually saw Cameroon fall in penalty kicks.

 

Nouhou, 26, started all three matches for Cameroon at the 2022 FIFA World Cup, including a history-making 1-0 victory over Brazil. Throughout his MLS career, Nouhou has 1g/8a in 168 regular-season appearances, winning the MLS Cup (2019) and Concacaf Champions Cup (2022) titles.

 

Rafael Nadal’s no-look smash

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Rafael Nadal’s no-look smash

‘Rub eyes’ for Brisbane crows

 

‘I am slow, I know’: Rafael Nadal jokes about Brisbane time violation – video

 

Rafael Nadal defeated the Australian tennis player Jason Kubler, No.102 in the ATP ranking, with a score of 6-1 6-2 in the round of 16 of the ATP 250 in Brisbane. On the Spaniard’s path, therefore, there will be another Australian, Jordan Thompson, who took advantage of Ugo Humbert’s retirement without playing, Lorenzo Ciotti reports for Tennis World.

In the first set Nadal’s start is very high intensity. Great push from Rafa who scored a 10-1 run, earning a two-break advantage (0-4). Kubler doesn’t know what to invent and literally celebrates winning the first game of his match in the sixth game, before conceding the 6-1, not taking advantage of three balls of the partial counter-break.

In all this, worth mentioning is an amazing Veronica from the Spaniard in the fourth game.

Rafael Nadal exalts the Brisbane crowd with a super shot!

 

It really seems that Rafael Nadal did not have to miss all of 2023 and deal with a serious injury capable of putting his future in the world of tennis at risk.

Nadal surprised Kubler in response in the second game of the first set, charging his usual forehand and gaining the 4-0 in just a few minutes. The lead breaks immediately became two: the second came at the end of an intense rally, closed by the Spaniard with a no-look smash that made the crowd present in Brisbane rub their eyes.

Below you can see the video shared by ATP Tour X account.

 

Down 0-5, Kubler required the intervention of a physiotherapist for a forearm problem that will torment him for the rest of the match.

 

Nadal started with a break to zero also in the second half of the game, setting the record straight. The Australian only worried him at 1-2, but Nadal responded and canceled the counter-break point using his deadly forehand.

At the press conference, Rafa analyzed: “It was a positive match, without any doubt. In the first five games I expressed an excellent level of tennis by doing almost everything in the right way.

I played well for most of the match and I’m happy for victory.Obviously it’s important for me to win and play another match tomorrow. This is what matters most now.

When you face break points it is important to survive, because you train yourself to face adversity. Something I need to work on considering I haven’t been in this position for a while.”

Top dollars for AFCON winner

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Top dollars for AFCON winner

CAF increases African football’s major prize by 40%

 

 

The Confédération Africaine de Football (“CAF”) today announced a 40% increase in the Prize Money for the Winner of the TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations (“AFCON”) Côte d’Ivoire 2023.

 

The Winner of the TotalEnergies AFCON Côte d’Ivoire 2023 will receive USD 7 000 000.

 

The Runner-up of the TotalEnergies AFCON Côte d’Ivoire 2023 will now get USD 4 000 000. Each of the two Semi-finalist will receive USD 2 500 000 and each of the four Quarter-finalist, USD 1 300 000.

 

The President of CAF Dr Patrice Motsepe said: “CAF has made significant progress over the past two years in increasing the Prize Money of the AFCON and all its other major competitions. We have increased the Prize Money of the AFCON Winner to USD 7 000 000 which is a 40% increase from the previous AFCON Prize Money.I am confident that a portion of the Prize Money will contribute to developing football and also benefit all the football stakeholders, as well as assist our Member Associations with their administrations.”

 

Belmadi plays down Algeria’s AFCON chances

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Belmadi plays down Algeria’s AFCON chances

As former Desert Fox attempts to take the pressure off his side

 

 

Algeria coach Djamel Belmadi has played down the chances of the Desert Foxes ahead of this month’s TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations, Cote d’Ivoire 2023.

 

The former international attempted to take the pressure off his side, claiming they were not among the favorites, insisting other sides stood a better chance of winning the title.

 

Belmadi stated that hosts Cote d’Ivoire were the team to beat at the tournament starting on 13 January.

 

He cited the Ivorians and other contenders like Egypt, Senegal, Morocco, Tunisia, and Nigeria as excellent contenders compared to the defending champions.

 

“We are arriving at this tournament slowly but surely, with a lot of certainty,” Belmadi said when unveiling his squad for the continent’s flagship football competition.

 

“But we are reminded of our elimination from the first round of the last edition, followed by our failure to qualify for the 2022 World Cup.”

 

He added: “De facto, we are not favorites.”

 

It contrasts sharply with Belmadi’s bullish statements before Algeria’s triumphant 2019 TotalEnergies AFCON campaign in Egypt.

 

On that occasion, the coach correctly predicted his side would stun the continent by returning the trophy to Algiers.

 

This time, he is keen to reduce expectations on a team still recovering from the pain of recent setbacks.

 

Algeria did not even reach the knockouts at the 2021 TotalEnergies AFCON in Cameroon two years ago or qualify for the 2022 World Cup.

 

But Belmadi still backed his players to perform in Cote d’Ivoire, saying: “We will go there to obtain an optimal result.”

 

Algeria is embarking on a 10-day training camp in the Togolese capital of Lome and playing two friendlies before flying to Cote d’Ivoire for the finals.

 

Despite his caution, few would write off a talented Algeria squad containing the likes of Riyad Mahrez and Youcef Belaili.

 

Under the guidance of Afcon mastermind Belmadi, the North Africans have abundant pedigree and quality.

 

While the boss of the Desert Foxes may be downplaying their chances, Algeria remains a severe contender to recapture their continental crown.

 

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