However, the 2023 AFCON witnessed a departure from this pattern as all North African teams, including Egypt, lost out by the round of 16. Beyond the scoreboardPeople frequently attribute the decline in the performance of North African teams at the 2023 AFCON to fatigue and a notable level of complacency stemming from past successes. Tactical rigidityThe North African teams may not have adapted effectively to the evolving tactical landscape of African football, where unpredictability and physicality reign supreme. The trend of underperformance by North African countries in West Africa during AFCON, except for Egypt, raises questions. "Most of the North African nations where this argument stemmed from have very hot climate and should be used to the heat.

Source: The North Africa Journal February 03, 2024 06:49 UTC