With just a few days to go before the start of the 2023 CAF Africa Cup of Nations, the President of the Ivorian Football Federation(FIF), Yacine Idriss Diallo, has unveiled the favourites without Ivory Coast. With euphoria mounting in the country and many believing that the Elephants will do well, the FIF boss’s announcement is a reminder of the logic involved.
On January 13, nine days from now, Côte d’Ivoire will kick off the 34th edition of the African Cup of Nations. Following their triumphs in 1992 and 2015 (both against Ghana), the Elephants will be looking to rewrite history on home soil. A great footballing nation that has seen the likes of Didier Drogba, the Touré brothers and Laurent Pokou pass through its ranks, Ivory Coast will still have its work cut out at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations. Despite their talent, they are by no means the favourites some would claim.
Diallo’s favourites for AFCON 2023
When asked recently about his position on the favourites for the 2023 CAF Africa Cup of Nations, Yacine Idriss Diallo, head of the Fédération Ivoirienne de Football (FIF), clearly revealed three countries that are candidates for the final title. Ivory Coast is not among them. And according to Diallo, the Elephants’ chances of winning the great African tournament remain slim, although he has confidence in the team.
“I have confidence in our team, but we know we’re not favourites. The favourites are Morocco, Senegal, Egypt, all these teams. We’re building a new team. If you look at our team now, I think 30% are very young, it’s their first competition. But we’re going to try to bring in a very good squad so that we’re ready,” he told FourFourTwo magazine. “So we’re going to do our best to go as far as we can and try to win the trophy. That’s why we’re here,” he continued.
Côte d’Ivoire’s chances
The CAF Africa Cup of Nations is a competition full of surprises, with a number of the big teams quickly falling by the wayside, while the unexpected ones pull off some resounding feats. In Group A with Nigeria, Guinea-Bissau and Equatorial Guinea, Ivory Coast have the opportunity to progress from the group stages. Along with the Super Eagles, led by prolific goalscorer Victor Osimhen, the Elephants are the logical favourites to be among the top two qualifiers for the Round of 16.
With players like Nicolas Pépé, Sébastien Haller, Seko Fofana and Franck Kessié, Jean-Louis Gasset has enough talent at his disposal to avoid the ultimate humiliation at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations on home soil. From 13 January onwards, they will have to do everything in their power to avoid missing players like Wilfried Zaha against the Guinea-Bissau team and take all three points, especially as the second match will be crucial for morale. Facing the Super Eagles in their second group game, Ivory Coast will not be spoiled. If they lose, they will have to make do with the first three points and snatch qualification against Equatorial Guinea in the final match.
Ivorian optimism
After that, the hard work will start in the Round of 16. But if they get through the group phase with flying colours, Ivory Coast will have nothing to envy the tournament favourites mentioned by President Idriss Diallo. In any case, the Ivorian people remain optimistic for their national team. For the time being, things are going rather well, with preparations continuing on both the team and organisational fronts. Idriss Diallo confirms via FourFourTwo that the FIF is ready for a perfect 2023 CAF Africa Cup of Nations, which will bring in a lot of money for the best teams following the increase in CAF allocations.
“We have invested considerably, not only financially, but above all with all our heart in the planning and organisation of this competition. I am now proud to say that we are ready. I am truly ready. There’s no question about it.“
Do you think Côte d’Ivoire can pull off the unexpected at the 2023 CAF Africa Cup of Nations?
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