play_arrow

keyboard_arrow_right

Listeners:

Top listeners:

skip_previous skip_next
00:00 00:00
playlist_play chevron_left
volume_up
Go to album
  • cover play_arrow

    LISTEN NOW: JafriQ Radio Live On Jafriq Radio

Africa

North Africans Dumped Out of Cote d’Ivoire’s Afcon 2023

todayFebruary 3, 2024 1

Background
share close

[ad_1]

Morocco, fresh off their World Cup heroics, seemed destined for glory, while Egypt, led by Mohamed Salah, looked unstoppable

The recent qualification for the 2023 AFCON quarterfinals marked a surprising turn of events for North African football powerhouses – Morocco, Tunisia, Algeria, and Egypt – who entered the tournament with high expectations.

All four North African teams, despite their strong FIFA rankings (first, third, fourth and fifth respectively), were eliminated before the quarterfinals, raising questions about the impact of the challenging climatic conditions in Cote d’Ivoire during the supposedly hottest months of January and February, where humidity reaches 90-95 per cent.

The underwhelming performances of the Atlas Lions, the 2019 champions Algeria, seven-time champions Egypt, and third-ranked Tunisia fueled speculation about whether the combination of intense heat and high humidity posed insurmountable challenges.

This departure from expectations has prompted a closer examination of historical AFCON tournaments, particularly those hosted in West Africa, revealing a pattern of underperformance by North African nations since the 1990s. However, it is worth noting that there is a notable exception to this trend.

Morocco, fresh off their World Cup heroics, seemed destined for glory, while Egypt, fueled by Mohamed Salah’s ambition, appeared unstoppable.

Early stumbles

The warning signs were vague but undeniable. Egypt’s last-gasp draw against Mozambique, Algeria’s underwhelming tie with Angola, and Tunisia’s shock defeat to Namibia hinted at vulnerabilities beneath the surface.

Morocco’s opening-day fireworks against Tanzania masked deeper issues, and their subsequent elimination by South Africa confirmed the unsettling trend.

The unsuccessful trips to West Africa

In the 17 editions where West Africa hosted the Nations Cup, North African teams reached the final six times and secured victory three times. An intriguing observation suggests that when AFCON takes place in West Africa, Egypt emerges as the sole North African contender with a realistic chance of winning.

Egypt clinched the title in Burkina Faso in 1998 and in Ghana in 2008. Notably, they reached the final in Gabon in 2017 and in Cameroon in 2021.

However, the 2023 AFCON witnessed a departure from this pattern as all North African teams, including Egypt, lost out by the round of 16. Egypt’s performance in the tournament was lacklustre from the beginning, barely advancing to the second round and ultimately exiting after a penalty shootout loss to DR Congo.

YearHostWinnerCommentary

1957SudanEgyptOnly two games were played.

1963GhanaGhanaUAR [Egypt] came third

1970SudanSudanUAR [Egypt] came third

1972CameroonPR CongoNo North African country made the semis

1978GhanaGhanaTunisia came fourth

1980NigeriaNigeriaAlgeria came 2nd, Morocco 3rd, and Egypt 4th

1984Ivory CoastCameroonAlgeria came 3rd, Egypt 4th

1992SenegalIvory CoastNo North African country made the semis

1998Burkina FasoEgypt

2000Nigeria/GhanaCameroonTunisia came fourth

2002MaliCameroonNo North African country made the semis

2008GhanaEgypt

2012Equatorial Guinea/GabonZambiaNo North African country made the semis

2015Equatorial GuineaIvory Coast

2017GabonCameroonEgypt got to the final

2021CameroonSenegalEgypt got to the final

2023Ivory CoastTBDNo North African country made the semis

Egypt’s Pharaohs were supposed to reign supreme; Tunisia’s Carthage Eagles should have flown high; Algeria’s Desert Foxes couldn’t prowl successfully, while it was a whimper from the Atlas Lions instead of the expected roar, marking a disappointing low for North African football in Cote d’Ivoire.

Beyond the scoreboard

People frequently attribute the decline in the performance of North African teams at the 2023 AFCON to fatigue and a notable level of complacency stemming from past successes.

Complacency

The tag of favourites might have lulled some teams into a false sense of security, leading to the underestimation of opponents.

The Pharaohs began their campaign against a Mozambican team languishing in the 113th position on the FIFA rankings. They needed a last-gasp penalty kick converted by Salah to rescue a point. It was only a matter of time before they ran out of luck.It was the same for the others, whose opponents appeared to be mismatched but ended up being dangerous foes with great capabilities.

Tactical rigidity

The North African teams may not have adapted effectively to the evolving tactical landscape of African football, where unpredictability and physicality reign supreme. A team like Algeria, known for its rigid playing style, struggled to adapt to dynamic opponents and changing game situations.

Internal issues and individual errors

Team chemistry, coaching decisions, and individual player form could have played a role in hindering performance.

Crucial mistakes at key moments, like missed penalties, and defensive lapses, proved costly for several teams.

Rise of other regions

The overall improvement in the quality of football across Africa might push North African dominance aside. From Equatorial Guinea to Cape Verde, Africa is witnessing a new breed of teams ready to take the continent by storm.

Too early to conclude

Though the North African exodus at AFCON 2023 raises crucial questions about the state of football in the region, many feel it will be premature to suggest there is a crisis.

The trend of underperformance by North African countries in West Africa during AFCON, except for Egypt, raises questions.

The answer is complex. While North Africa’s dominance may be waning, it’s important to remember that this is just one tournament. Power shifts are inevitable, but the region still boasts immense talent, potential, and excellently organised football leagues.

With their functional and lucrative football leagues and world-class structures in place, the North Africans are expected to overcome this temporary setback, even as Morocco hosts the next AFCON tournament in 2025.