Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2023 in Ivory Coast approaches, national teams have unveiled their selected squads, revealing some notable exclusions that have sparked reactions across the continent. Several countries have opted to navigate the tournament without some prominent players.
In the host country, Ivory Coast, the absence of Galatasaray’s star striker Wilfried Zaha has drawn considerable attention.
The decision by national coach Jean-Louis Gasset to exclude Zaha, known for a history of intermittent participation and disputes with previous coaches, was characterized as a purely sporting choice. Gasset explained, “It was the most difficult case.
Already, in the balance of the squad, we had a lot of right-handers. (…) It’s a coach’s choice,” he stated at a press conference, emphasizing the importance of the coach’s decision in building a cohesive team.
Cameroon, led by Rigobert Song, has made a strategic choice to exclude experienced striker Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting from the squad. Despite Choupo-Moting’s pivotal role at Bayern Munich, Song defended the decision, emphasizing continuity and cohesion in the team’s recent strategies.
“Choupo-Moting is a very good player. But my colleagues and I have remained in the continuity of recent times. (…) He remains an important player, but a choice had to be made and the choice was made,” Song explained at a press conference.
In Algeria, the absence of Said Benrahma has stirred discussion. The 28-year-old West Ham striker was omitted from the list of 26 players revealed by coach Djamel Belmadi.
Tensions between Benrahma and Belmadi have been evident, and the decision to exclude him was attributed to the coach’s discretion. ”
Why Youcef Belaïli and not Saïd Benrahma in the National Team? Well, because it’s my opinion, it’s my choice,” Belmadi stated at a press conference, shedding light on the strained relations between the two.
Nigeria, known for its formidable attacking lineup, faced the challenge of narrowing down its squad. Striker Terem Moffi from Nice was left out by coach José Peseiro, highlighting the depth of talent at his disposal.
Moffi’s exclusion reinforced the team’s prowess, with Bayer Leverkusen’s Victor Boniface being preferred.
Meanwhile, young Tunisian talent Hannibal Mejbri, associated with Manchester United, made a personal decision to withdraw from consideration for AFCON.
Mejbri expressed gratitude for the support but emphasized the importance of being ready and calm in one’s role to participate in such a competition.
These exclusions, driven by various considerations, add intrigue to the upcoming AFCON 2023, setting the stage for intense competition and strategic choices by national teams aiming for continental glory.
