Alan Gires, former coach of both the Tunisian and Senegalese national football teams, anticipates intense competition in the upcoming African Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2023. The tournament is set to kick off on Saturday, January 13, in Côte d’Ivoire, lasting until February 11, featuring the participation of 24 national teams.
The host country, Côte d’Ivoire, finds itself in Group A, alongside Nigeria, Guinea-Bissau, and Equatorial Guinea.
In an exclusive interview with “btolat.com,” Alan Gires, renowned for his coaching roles with Tunisia, Senegal, and Mali, shared his insights on the tournament.
He stated, “I expect it to be a competitive and challenging edition.”
“There will be a high level of competition, especially among the prominent teams.
I hope to witness many outstanding matches leading up to the final to determine the eventual winner,” he added.
Gires expressed, “I believe Senegal will strongly compete to retain its title from 2021, given the presence of numerous exceptional players in their squad.”
Speaking about other teams he previously coached, Mali and Tunisia, Gires remarked, “These teams also possess multiple talents, coupled with strict discipline, a crucial factor in such consolidated tournaments.”
When discussing the qualities of a champion, he emphasized the need for constant focus in every match, given the tough competition where matches are often decided by fine details.
“Physical fitness is crucial in this tournament, as matches occur in short timeframes, increasing the risk of injuries,” Gires added.
As for the possibility of a “Black Horse” team, Gires commented, “I don’t see a team capable of emulating Zambia in the 2012 edition.
There’s no team that performs cohesively as a complete unit.
If such a team exists, the major teams won’t allow them an easy qualification and progression.”
With AFCON 2023 on the horizon, football enthusiasts eagerly await the thrilling clashes and await to see which team will emerge as the ultimate victor in this highly anticipated tournament.
