AfCON 2023: a British-style hold-up by the outsiders
ABIDJAN - African football is undergoing a veritable revolution. There is a healthy jealousy among the smaller countries, who also aspire to achieve miracles. In addition, there has been a considerable improvement in the standard of refereeing, which now prevents the favoured teams from winning non-existent penalties at the end of matches or simply reducing the opposition to 10 players in order to facilitate a shameful victory.
The brilliance of the CAN is rooted in the undeniable equality that all the countries demonstrate on the pitch. We respect each other without fear. Tunisia, who suffered an initial defeat against Namibia, can testify to this. In the Africa Cup of Nations tournament, it is quite possible to be dominated by a newcomer or a reinvigorated veteran.
Whether you are a nation that has recently triumphed over Brazil, Belgium or Spain - it doesn't matter here. Only the pitch decides the outcome, and that's even truer with the constant improvement in refereeing.
Patrice Mostepe, the President of CAF, has taken the right decision in extending the number of teams taking part in the African Cup of Nations. This offers us a host of surprises and revelations, as well as exciting and flamboyant football in this edition of the CAN 2023.
Goodbye to Morocco, Algeria, Senegal, Tunisia, Cameroon, Ghana, Egypt...
All eliminated before the quarter-finals. Change in African football is possible, it is already happening, and it is happening in a positive way. And with change, you either adapt to it or you suffer the pain. The whiners have only their eyes to console themselves. Because when faced with two simultaneous pains, you have to choose the one that is less intense.
Moysekou, special correspondent in Abidjan (CAN 2023)
