2023 Africa Cup of Nations: 5 things we learned on Day 9
Democratic Republic of Congo rein in Morocco and Zambia hold Morocco's men during a day when Guinea Bissau's boss Baciro Candé and the Egypt skipper Mo Salah backed their boys for big things.
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Duel in the sun
Tournament favourites Morocco played out a rumbustious 1-1 draw with Democratic Republic Congo. There were 17 fouls commited by each side and a scuffle at the end which started after the Morocco coach Walid Regragui went up and said something to the DRC skipper Chancel Mbemba. It didn't go down well. “It's the heat," said the DRC boss Sébastien Desabre. "It's a big match between two big nations. It's very hot. Very, very, very hot.”
Tanzania
Hemed Suleiman took over the hot seat as Tanzania coach from Adel Amrouche after he was sacked by Tanzania's football chiefs for saying in a TV interview that the Morocco federation was running African football. Suleiman is nicknamed 'Morocco' and his team disproved any conspiracy theories by drawing 1-1 with 10-man Zambia. After qualifying for the Cup of Nations for the first time in 2019 and losing all three games, Tanzania were just minutes away from their first victory on Day 9. They'll need to beat Democratic Republic of Congo in the final round of games to have a chance of progressing to the last-16. The experience in Cote d'Ivoire should help them in the qualifiying tournament for the 2025 Cup of Nations which is to be played in Morocco.
Calmed down
Must be the heat for the Nigeria coach José Peseiro was quite sedate as he spoke on the eve of his side's game against Guinea Bissau. The 63-year-old Portuguese said his players should expect a tough game even though Guinea Bissau has lost both its fixtures at the tournament. Their boss, Baciro Candé, says his men will be playing for pride and will fight for a first win at the Cup of Nations. The review met some Nigeria supporters after the victory over Cote d'Ivoire who were saying the Guinea Bissau tie would be a walkover. Peseiro's not buying that line. "I do believe they deserve better," he insisted. Presumably when they're not playing Nigeria.
Mojo
The review's getting with it. After harking back on Day 8 to Andy Williams and his 1960s thing, we're heading towards the present day but stopping off in the 1980s because the great track of James Ingram and Michael McDonald came to mind as Mo Salah spoke about Egypt's prospects against Cape Verde in their final game in Group B. The Egypt skipper will not play due to injury. But the crocked superstar endorse his teammates. "The best players in Egypt are here," Salah effused. "They are great players and a good team. If we play with courage and confidence, I believe we will win." Yo, Mo.
The review was reminded of the legendary English striker Jimmy Greaves during the South Africa v Namibia match. His catchphrase was: "It's a funny old game." Indeed. Namibia beat Tunisia 1-0 to launch their campaign in Group E but went down 4-0 to South Africa in their second match in San Pedro on Day 9. It means the top two spots will be up for grabs during the last round of games. Wonderfully unpredictable.
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