As the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2023 progresses, the tournament has been marked by a flurry of managerial exits and surprising results, culminating in a dramatic Round of 16 lineup.
Six coaches have already lost their jobs amidst the intense competition. The latest include Chris Hughton of Ghana, Belmadi of Algeria, and Jean Gasset of Côte d’Ivoire, who were all fired from their positions. Additionally, Tom Saintfiet of Gambia and Amrouche of Tanzania resigned from their coaching roles. Jalel Kadri of Tunisia followed suit, announcing his resignation after Tunisia’s disappointing group exit from the tournament.
Despite a poor group stage performance, the host nation, Côte d’Ivoire, managed to scrape through to the knockout stages as one of the best third-placed teams.
Their advancement came on the heels of a crucial 1-0 victory by Morocco over Zambia, which sealed their fate in the competition. Hakim Ziyech’s goal secured the win for Morocco, propelling them to the top of Group F.
However, Morocco’s victory was overshadowed by controversy as their coach, Walid Regragui, was banned for two matches following a post-match altercation with DR Congo captain Chancel Mbemba.
The incident occurred after a heated 1-1 draw between Morocco and DR Congo, prompting the Royal Moroccan Football Federation to appeal the suspension, denouncing it as an “incomprehensible decision.”
Morocco will face South Africa in the Round of 16, while DR Congo will take on Egypt. Côte d’Ivoire, despite their initial struggles, secured a spot in the knockout stages and are set to face Senegal.
Meanwhile, Tunisia’s disappointing campaign came to an end after a goalless draw with South Africa, leading to Kadri’s resignation. The Carthage Eagles failed to secure a single win in the tournament, finishing last in Group E, a stark contrast to their impressive performance in the World Cup just over a year ago.
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