Cape Verde has become the first nation to secure a spot in the knockout stages of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations by defeating Mozambique 3-0. This victory positions them as likely Group B winners, a group that includes traditional football powerhouses like Egypt and Ghana.
Cape Verde’s earlier warning sign, a 2-1 triumph over Ghana in the tournament’s opening fixture, was seemingly overlooked. Wale Agbede, the Head of Sports at Plus TV, emphasized Cape Verde’s historical competence in such tournaments, recalling their noteworthy performance three tournaments ago, where they reached the quarter-finals but faced unfortunate officiating.
Despite the general perception of the 2023 AFCON as the ‘tournament of the underdogs,’ Agbede disagrees, citing the uniqueness of African football. He points out that countries without high-profile players in top European leagues may have an advantage due to playing in the same league and sharing similar styles and ideologies. While acknowledging surprises in early tournament results, Agbede emphasizes the need for acclimatization and adjusting to different playing conditions, especially for players coming from winter leagues.
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Agbede suggests that labeling it a tournament of underdogs is premature, emphasizing that competitions don’t always favor the best team. He anticipates that as established teams find their rhythm, the latter stages of the competition may showcase the influence of talent and experience. Agbede acknowledges the potential for a less-favored team to win but, at this stage, doesn’t believe it is likely.