As we look forward to the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations Tournament in Cote D’Ivoire, www.aclsports.com through our Football Reporter Samuel Areo will via this section “AFCON Blues” bring you a daily round-up on happenings in different camps of the teams taking part in the 34th edition of the continental showpiece.
Super Eagles camp opens in Dubai
The Super Eagles camp in Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates, officially opened today following the arrival of several players and the coaching crew.
As of the time of writing, a total number of 19 players have arrived in the training camp, welcomed by head coach Jose Peseiro and his crew as preparations for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Cote d’Ivoire begin.
Team captain Ahmed Musa is joined by defender Kenneth Omeruo, Nantes winger Moses Simon, and Enyimba FC goalkeeper Olorunleke Ojo as the first set of arrivals.
Other early birds include Fulham duo Alex Iwobi and Calvin Bassey, as well as West Brom’s Semi Ajayi, Southampton midfielder Joe Aribo, Brentford’s Frank Onyeka, and Nottingham Forest defender Ola Aina. Chidozie Awaziem, Bruno Onyemaechi, and Zaidu Sanusi all from Portugal have also arrived in the camp, as well as Atalanta forward Ademola Lookman, Bayer Leverkusen’s Victor Boniface, Club Brugge’s Raphael and Fenerbahce’s Bright Osayi-Samuel.
Evening arrivals include AC Milan winger Samuel Chukwueze and South Africa-based goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali.
Still expected in camp are Napoli striker Victor Osimhen, Leicester City forward Kelechi Iheanacho, and goalkeeper Francis Uzoho. Vice-captain of the side William Troost-Ekong and Umar Sadiq will join the team in the coming hours.
Meanwhile, injured Wilfred Ndidi has been replaced by Royal Antwerp’s Alhassan Yusuf has been called up as the replacement for the defensive midfielder.
“We are not favourites,” says Algeria coach Belmadi
Algeria coach Djamel Belmadi has played down the chances of the Desert Foxes ahead of this month’s Africa Cup of Nations in Cote d’Ivoire.
Belmadi stated that hosts Cote d’Ivoire are the team to beat at the tournament starting on 13 January.
“We are arriving at this tournament slowly but surely, with a lot of certainty,” Belmadi said when unveiling his squad for the continent’s flagship football competition but we are reminded of our elimination from the first round of the last edition, followed by our failure to qualify for the 2022 World Cup. He added: “De facto we are not favourites.”
But Belmadi still backed his players to perform in Cote d’Ivoire, saying: “We will go there with the intention of obtaining an optimal result.”
Algeria are embarking on a 10-day training camp in the Togolese capital of Lome and play two friendlies before flying to Cote d’Ivoire for the continental showpiece.
Black Stars furious over poor facilities in Kumasi
Ghana head coach Chris Hughton and the rest of the team have been left unsatisfied over the country’s poor camping facilities – the training pitch and general conditions in camp – just days before the start of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Cote d’Ivoire.
The Ghana Football Association decided to cancel the initial camping base in South Africa and opt to stay in Ghana but the available facilities there have seemingly left the players unimpressed.
Again, the Black Stars were supposed to commence their nine-day camp at the Baba Yara Stadium before opting to use the Dr. Kwame Kyei Sports Complex. According to a report, the state of the Baba Yara Stadium’s pitch, deemed essential for the first training session, was found unsuitable by the backroom staff.
Ghana have been champions of Africa four times but are yet to win since its success in 1982 and there are high expectations as they go into their 10th consecutive finals.
This rounds up AFCON Blues for today, see you tomorrow.
