Former coach Juan José Makéda shared his insights on the African Cup of Nations, expressing surprise at the early exits of football powerhouses and title contenders.
Teams like Senegal, Morocco, Egypt, and other renowned squads left the tournament prematurely, marking a notable turn of events.
During an appearance on the “CAN 2023” program broadcasted on Al Cairoya Al Ikhbariya channel, Makéda remarked, “The exit of major teams with illustrious names such as Senegal, Morocco, and Egypt is a significant surprise in this tournament.
Some smaller teams, however, have defied expectations.”
He continued, “In football, anything is possible. Unpredictable events can unfold, and there is always a winner and a loser.
This is the nature of football and any game in any location or tournament.”
Makéda went on to speculate, “Perhaps we will witness similar surprises in the semi-finals or quarter-finals.
Teams may face difficulties, whether at the beginning of the tournament or towards its conclusion.
It’s a common occurrence, but in this championship, we were surprised by the early exits of prominent names.”
Highlighting the unexpected success of teams like Congo and Cape Verde, reaching the semi-finals, Makéda expressed his astonishment, emphasizing that in football, everything is possible and open to happen.
He also acknowledged Ivory Coast’s strong chances of winning the tournament, especially given their home advantage.
