Leagues likely to benefit from AFCON trends says CAF expert

By Mazola Molefe
11th February 2024

There is no guarantee, but what has been described as the best Africa Cup of Nations to date is likely to benefit the respective leagues where the players have emerged from when they return.

Speaking to SABC Sport to discuss trends at the continental showpiece, director of the CAF Technical Study Group [TSG] is optimistic about seeing new developments that were prominent in Cote d’Ivoire filter through locally.

READ: Sebastien Haller welcomes pressure to deliver the AFCON title on home soil

“I believe so,” said Raul Chipenda when asked whether it was possible like it is usually the case with the World Cup.

“Even in our club competitions [Champions League and Confederation Cup] we see a very good level when it comes to the quality of our matches. I think in the end everything is connected. When you have good players and you have good competition at a good level – these good players will become players of the national team and will also improve the quality of our national teams.”

Chipenda had mentioned the 4-3-3 as a popular formation used by most teams at the AFCON as observed by their panel of experts, although this varied depending on the type of matches and the stage of the tournament.

The number of African coaches in charge of the sides who made it to the showpiece over the course of January and early February had also gone up, suggesting there was more development on their end too.

Chipenda is of the impression everything has a ripple effect.

“All of this together ends up giving the national teams good results. When we have good coaches in our countries, we will have good players. They will improve the quality of the teams and the teams will improve the quality of the national teams. I think everything is connected in the end.”