By Muluh Alfred
The past two editions of the Africa Cup of Nations have been won by African coaches, a pattern which still has a possibility to continue in the 2023 AFCON.
As much as the Super Eagles led by Portuguese coach Jose Peseiro are considered favourites of the final against Ivory Coast, a win by the hosts will maintain the trend.
Since Belgian tactician Hugo Broos lifted the trophy with Cameroon in 2017, only coaches of African origin have emerged champions over the past two editions.
Djamel Belmadi won with Algeria in 2019, while Aliou Cisse gave Senegal their first title in 2021.
A total of 24 coaches participated in the AFCON 2023, with 13 out of the total being of African origin while the rest were foreign coaches.
Surprisingly, of the 13 African coaches who led their teams in the AFCON, 10 of them made it to the round of 16 including coaches from Morocco, Cameroon, and Egypt, Sénégal while six teams led by foreign coaches made it to the round of 16.
As the competition progressed to the q
uarter-finals the numbers evened out, Six home-based coaches and two foreign coaches were eliminated, leaving four of each group going into the quarter-finals.
In the semi-finals, only one home-based coach, the coach of Ivory Coast, qualified. In contrast, three foreign coaches led their teams to the semi-finals, including the head coaches of Nigeria, South Africa, and DR Congo.
Now, as the tournament comes closer to crowning a champion, the exciting final of the AFCON will be contested between coach Jose Peseiro of Nigeria, a foreign coach, and coach Emerse Fae a home based coach who took over Ivory Coast after the group stage.
This tense battle between two respected coaches from distinct backgrounds will add another layer of excitement to the already thrilling tournament as the final match determines this year’s champions of Africa.
Source: Cameroon News Agency
By Muluh Alfred
The past two editions of the Africa Cup of Nations have been won by African coaches, a pattern which still has a possibility to continue in the 2023 AFCON.
As much as the Super Eagles led by Portuguese coach Jose Peseiro are considered favourites of the final against Ivory Coast, a win by the hosts will maintain the trend.
Since Belgian tactician Hugo Broos lifted the trophy with Cameroon in 2017, only coaches of African origin have emerged champions over the past two editions.
Djamel Belmadi won with Algeria in 2019, while Aliou Cisse gave Senegal their first title in 2021.
A total of 24 coaches participated in the AFCON 2023, with 13 out of the total being of African origin while the rest were foreign coaches.
Surprisingly, of the 13 African coaches who led their teams in the AFCON, 10 of them made it to the round of 16 including coaches from Morocco, Cameroon, and Egypt, Sénégal while six teams led by foreign coaches made it to the round of 16.
As the competition progressed to the q
uarter-finals the numbers evened out, Six home-based coaches and two foreign coaches were eliminated, leaving four of each group going into the quarter-finals.
In the semi-finals, only one home-based coach, the coach of Ivory Coast, qualified. In contrast, three foreign coaches led their teams to the semi-finals, including the head coaches of Nigeria, South Africa, and DR Congo.
Now, as the tournament comes closer to crowning a champion, the exciting final of the AFCON will be contested between coach Jose Peseiro of Nigeria, a foreign coach, and coach Emerse Fae a home based coach who took over Ivory Coast after the group stage.
This tense battle between two respected coaches from distinct backgrounds will add another layer of excitement to the already thrilling tournament as the final match determines this year’s champions of Africa.
Source: Cameroon News Agency
Addis Ababa: Ethiopia’s diplomatic efforts have been bearing fruits under the leadership of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, despite the erratic regional and global phenomenon, Ethiopian Ambassador to Tanzania told ENA.
Ethiopia’s Special Envoy and Plenipotentiary to Tanzania, Ambassador Shibru Mamo said the recent diplomatic moves of Ethiopia are responses to the overdue political and economic aspirations of the country.
According to him, Ethiopia’s membership in the BRICS is one of these historical millstones in the country’s modern diplomacy.
Its membership in the BRICS has undoubtedly proved the critical role of Ethiopia in the global arena, the ambassador noted.
‘Initially, many countries had applied to become BRICS members. But we were invited to join this block due to our influence. Ethiopia pursues a progressive diplomatic approach, and tremendous activities are being carried out to safeguard the sustainable interests of our country. To this end, Ethiopia’s diplomacy has been growing from time to time.’
The ambassador believes that most importantly Ethiopia has a leadership that understands the international diplomatic and political dynamics.
This approach has resulted in paramount diplomatic triumphs for Ethiopia.
In his address to the 14th regular session of the House of People’s Representatives (HPR), Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed noted that Ethiopia will strive for the common good of all countries and joined BRICS to cooperate with both the West and the East. It is not a matter of alienating one or making favour to others.
Ambassador Shibru pointed out that Ethiopia’s major achievements have been recorded in various sectors to protect its interests.
‘It is a public knowledge that there was a tremendous and unwarranted foreign influence against us during the last years. There have also been some security challenges here and there at home. But bringing economic development, becoming a member of BRICS, and the ongoing diplomatic endeavors to have seaport on the Red Sea were really laudable.’
Ambassador Shi
bru further mentioned the awarding of the Agricola Medal, a prestigious United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) prize, to Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, adding that ‘this is a global recognition for the wheat production revolution in Ethiopia’
Source: Ethiopian News Agency