CAN 2023: PALOP with strong opponents.
The representatives of the PALOP (Portuguese-speaking African Countries) in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations football tournament ( CAN ) now know their opponents.
Guinea-Bissau and Equatorial Guinea were in Group A. Mozambique and Cape Verde were drawn in Group B and Angola was in Group D. Unfortunately São Tomé and Príncipe did not qualify for this CAN, where there is the greatest representation of always from PALOP countries in the competition.
The Groups
Angola, led by Portuguese coach Pedro Gonçalves, will face difficult opponents in Group D, including Algeria, champions in 1990 and 2019, Burkina Faso, fourth in the previous edition, and Mauritania.
Cape Verde and Mozambique were included in Group B, which means facing Egypt, led by the Portuguese Rui Vitória, winners of seven editions, finalists in 2021 (with Carlos Queiroz ahead) and who were seeded in this draw, together with the Ghana, a team with four African titles under its belt.
Guinea-Bissau and Equatorial Guinea, in turn, were drawn in Group A, where they will face hosts Ivory Coast, winners in 1992 and 2015, and Nigeria, under the command of Portuguese coach José Peseiro and three-time champion of the tournament.
The current champion, Senegal will be in Group C, where they will fight against Cameroon, third placed in CAN 2021, Guinea Conakry and Gambia. While Group E is made up of Tunisia, Mali, South Africa and Namibia.
The Morocco team, champion in 1976 and which finished fourth in the 2022 World Cup, is part of Group F, with the Democratic Republic of Congo, Zambia and Tanzania.
The CAN 2023
The top two teams from each of the six groups qualify for the round of XNUMX, as well as the four best third-place teams.
The 34th edition of the African Cup of Nations will take place in Côte d'Ivoire, between January 13th and February 11th, 2024.
The competition should have been held between June 23rd and July 23rd this year, but ended up being postponed until next year, due to the risk of flooding in that country – which actually occurred.
This competition brings strong expectations for PALOP football fans, as their teams face strong opponents in search of a place in the CAN final.
What do you think of this CAN 2023? Will the PALOP teams have any chance of moving forward? We want to know your opinion, do not hesitate to comment and if you liked the article, share and give a “like/like”.
See also:
CAN 2023: 5 PALOP Countries Qualified
CAN 2023: Guinea-Bissau, only Portuguese-speaking victory
Picture: © 2023 Wikus de Wet
