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In the lead-up to the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), Ghana’s head coach, Chris Hughton, candidly confessed his unfamiliarity with two of his team’s group-stage opponents, Cape Verde and Mozambique. The draw for the highly anticipated tournament placed Ghana in Group B, alongside football powerhouses Egypt, as well as the relatively lesser-known teams of Cape Verde and Mozambique.
Hughton, who leads the Ghanaian national team, expressed his limited knowledge about Cape Verde and Mozambique during a recent discussion about the upcoming AFCON. He emphasized that, unlike Egypt, he lacks substantial information about the two underdog teams in their group. Despite his admission of ignorance, Hughton pledged to undertake extensive research and analysis in the coming months, watching their games and preparing his squad before the tournament kicks off.
Speaking about the group draw, the 64-year-old coach stated, “Mozambique and Cape Verde are two teams that I don’t know so much about.” However, he also acknowledged the challenge that comes with a competitive tournament like the AFCON, remarking, “But I think whenever a group comes out, you always think that it could have been better for us, and could have been worse for us.”
Hughton further pointed out that Egypt, with its seven AFCON titles, is the most formidable opponent in their group. He described the Egyptian team as an experienced side with a rich history in AFCON competitions, highlighting their numerous tournament victories, which surpass those of any other nation. As the top seed in their group, Egypt’s credentials make them a formidable adversary for Ghana.
The 2023 AFCON is scheduled to take place from January 13 to February 11, 2024, maintaining the 24-team format introduced in the 2019 edition. Ghana is determined to improve on their previous AFCON performance, having faced disappointment with a group-stage exit in the last tournament held in Cameroon.
As the tournament draws near, Chris Hughton and his team will intensify their preparations to face their group rivals, aiming to secure a spot in the knockout stages and make their nation proud.
