Chad’s national team faces gruelling journey ahead of crucial AFCON 2025 qualifier against Côte d’Ivoire
Chad’s national football team, the Sao, are gearing up for a challenging encounter against Côte d’Ivoire in the CAN 2025 qualifiers, following their hard-fought draw against Sierra Leone. The second match in Group G is scheduled to take place on Tuesday, September 10, 2024, at the Ahmadou Ahidjo Stadium in Yaoundé, Cameroon.
The Sao’s preparations have been overshadowed by logistical challenges.
The Chadian squad, after leaving Liberia, has been split into two groups for travel.
The first group departed early on Saturday at 01:00 GMT and has already reached Yaoundé.
However, the second group faced a much more arduous journey, leaving Liberia at 06:00 GMT and enduring a complicated route with multiple stopovers in Accra (Ghana), Lomé (Togo), and Malabo (Equatorial Guinea).
They are not expected to arrive in Yaoundé until 19:00 GMT, putting them at a significant disadvantage in terms of recovery and preparation time.
Concerns are mounting about the potential effects of these travel arrangements on the team’s performance, with lengthy waiting times between flights and a fragmented squad further complicating matters.
The disruption to their training schedule could impact their cohesiveness and readiness ahead of the pivotal clash against Côte d’Ivoire.
Chad’s players will have little time to recover and refocus after their demanding encounter with Sierra Leone, which took place on Friday, September 6.
Kevin Nicaise’s squad, currently second in Group G, faces a tight schedule.
With only two days to regroup, the team has just two training sessions scheduled in Yaoundé on Sunday, September 8, and Monday, September 9, ahead of their game against the Ivorians.
The short recovery window and the disrupted travel plans have presented significant obstacles for Chad, whose players will be required to shake off fatigue and travel weariness quickly.
Nicaise’s side will be eager to put these challenges behind them as they prepare for a match that could define their campaign.
The Sao’s upcoming match presents a formidable challenge, as they face an Ivorian side that is in good form following a 2-0 victory over Zambia in their opening fixture.
Côte d’Ivoire currently sit atop Group G and will be entering the match with momentum on their side.
For Chad, the stakes are high: a positive result would not only bolster their standing in the group but also serve as a morale boost following a tumultuous journey.
However, the team’s disrupted travel plans and delayed arrival in Cameroon raise questions about their ability to perform at their peak.
The late arrival of key players and the strain of long flights could hinder Chad’s ability to maintain cohesion on the pitch.
Nevertheless, the Sao will be determined to overcome these obstacles and put in a strong performance against the Ivorians.
Despite the challenges ahead, Chad’s players remain focused on their objective of securing a result.
The two training sessions in Yaoundé will be crucial for the team as they seek to finalize their preparations and adjust to the conditions ahead of their clash with Côte d’Ivoire.
As Chad prepare to take on one of Africa’s footballing powerhouses, they do so under less-than-ideal circumstances.
But despite the fragmented travel and tight schedule, the Sao are determined to give their best in Yaoundé.
With a strong defensive display against Sierra Leone behind them, Chad will need to find another gear if they hope to keep pace with Côte d’Ivoire and continue their quest for AFCON 2025 qualification.
