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The untold stories of AFCON 2023

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The African Cup of Nations had it all.

From goalkeeper despair to penalty-saving heroics, forgotten names in the game are shining amongst some of the world’s best, but a lot of that has been covered.

Ivory Coast were the victors but their journey to lifting the trophy was scattered with chaos, despair and then eventual joy, but it was a beautiful end for the host country.

The Elephants were among the favourites to win the competition, but it wasn’t a tournament for the bigger nations on the continent.

In fact, it was one to forget for most of them.

Tunisia and Algeria departed at the group stage, but the biggest collapse would have been Ghana, and the players were left to know how disastrous their campaign was.

Delali Phrank Awutey was covering The Black Stars at the event, and after Chris Hughton’s side bottled their two-goal lead against Mozambique, the Ghanaian press was not impressed.

From a press point of view, it allows journalists from African countries to get closer to their nation’s best players, who may play abroad, and for Ghana they had a few of the brightest stars heading into AFCON.

Mohammed Kudus, Mohammed Salisu and Inaki Williams are all established names in the game, so when the press weren’t allowed to talk to them after they exited the final game it was an issue, and there was a clash between media and staff.

Awutey said: “I was around, we were at the mixed zone waiting for the players, and they go through the mixed zone and then go to the bus.

“But the Black Star bus was parked outside the dressing room, and they just went to the bus and blank the interviews.

“We have always struggled to get content for The Black Stars, so when you fail to qualify and you don’t come a speak.

“I think the decision wasn’t great and they should have shown character to show character.”

That game epitomised the tournament, with African heavyweights falling at every hurdle, and last-minute action having a last impact on the games.

Chris Hughton was sacked, but of course, he wasn’t the only manager thrown out after the group stage with Ivory Coast replacing Jean-Louis Gasset with Emerse Fae.

After Ghana failed to win, and other results went their way, the streets of Abidjan were jubilant and Matt Walker was there as a fan experiencing it all, even though they had just suffered their worst-ever home defeat to Equatorial Guinea.

He said: “When Mozambique equalised everyone started celebrating, there were like 10,000 fans and it was like they won AFCON.

“I was getting a car back through the city later and people were banging their fists on the car because Ghana had conceded.

“They almost forgot that this was the worst day in Ivorian footballing history.”

The celebrations for Ivory Coast would only continue as they rallied together under Fae, who won the Best Coach award as The Elephants won the tournament on home soil for the first time.

Hassan Abdulsalam a journalist covering the games said: “He has shown that if local-based journalists are given time and support they can deliver.

“After winning the trophy he needs to step up and build his to become a formidable in global football.”

But as much as it was a victory on the pitch for The Elephants, Ivory Coast and the Confederation of African Football itself put on an incredible display for the country and the growing stature of the tournament.

Walker spent his time travelling in between cities and said: “They put on a really good show in person, the stadiums were all pristine. Two of the stadiums had been upgraded four were brand new. 

“A few of the surrounding areas may not have been finished there was piles of red soil where there should have been a car park

“There was a lot of work in the cities, with flags everywhere and the fan zones. When you arrived at the airport it really gave you the atmosphere of being in a football tournament. 

“The whole country was talking about nothing else, coming back he it was weird no one wearing orange shirts down the street.”

Whether in Abidjan, Yamoussoukro or San-Pedro the AFCON win will still be celebrated, and once again a strong advert for the entertaining and evolving football that the continent of Africa is offering.

Awutey said: “The AFCON on the pitch was brilliant and anything can happen, the competition doesn’t care who you are.

“It is one of the greatest sporting events you can find.”

Abdulsalam added: “It showed how beautiful African football is and it was so special as it brings unity among all the nations.

“It demonstrated unity and the continent was filled with excitement and anticipation.”


Cover photo: 

Fédération Guinéenne Football at https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Football_%E2%80%93_2023_Africa_Cup_of_Nations_%E2%80%93_Finals_%E2%80%93_Cameroon_v_Guinea_%E2%80%93_Charles_Konan_Banny_Stadium_%E2%80%93_Yamoussoukro_%E2%80%93_Cote_dlvoire_(53465483157).jpg

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