Roman Saïss, defender and captain of the Moroccan national team, has expressed his dissatisfaction with the weather conditions during the 2023 African Cup of Nations (AFCON).
He criticised the decision to hold the competition at a time of year when temperatures reach almost 30 degrees, deeming the conditions extremely difficult and dangerous for the players’ health. “I don’t understand how matches can be scheduled at a time when it’s extremely hot,” he began. Secondly, Roman Saïss pointed out that priority should be given to the players’ well-being. “The health of the players must come first, and playing in this climate can be very dangerous,” he said.
Since the start of the competition, the North African teams, in particular, seem to have struggled to perform, especially in the matches played during the day. Morocco, who had easily beaten Tanzania in their first match, struggled against the Democratic Republic of Congo, settling for a draw. According to Saïss, the intense heat affected his team’s performance, causing a lack of energy on the pitch.
While the Confederation of African Football (CAF) avoids staging the African Cup of Nations in June and July to avoid heavy rain, Saïss and other players believe that the heat in January is just as problematic. This situation raises questions about the planning and organisation of the AFCON, taking into account the optimum climatic conditions for the health and performance of the athletes.
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