All managers sacked by teams during AFCON 2023

Published at :January 29, 2024 at 2:43 PM

Modified at :January 29, 2024 at 2:44 PM

(Courtesy : CAF)

The Africa Cup of Nations 2023 edition witnessed some unexpected twists

The Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) is not just a showcase of top-notch football talent; it’s also a stage where the fate of football managers can be sealed based on their team’s performance. The AFCON 2023 edition witnessed some unexpected twists, not just on the field, but also on the sidelines.

Here’s a look at the coaches who found themselves on the receiving end of the chopping block during the tournament.

5. Jean Louis Gasset (Ivory Coast)

Ivory Coast’s AFCON 2023 campaign took a turn for the worse with a 4-0 defeat against Equatorial Guinea. The aftermath of this humiliating loss saw the French coach, Jean Louis Gasset, being shown the door. This defeat not only shattered Ivory Coast’s pride but also marked their heaviest home defeat in history.

Gasset’s departure left the Elephants on the brink of elimination in the group stages, and the Ivory Coast Football Federation decided that a change at the helm was necessary.

4. Chris Hughton (Ghana)

The Ghanaian Football Association took a drastic step by sacking Chris Hughton following Ghana’s disappointing exit in the group stages of AFCON 2023. The Black Stars managed to accumulate only two points in a challenging group that included Cape Verde, Egypt, and Mozambique.

The lackluster performance was unacceptable for Ghana, leading to Hughton’s abrupt dismissal. The decision highlighted the intense pressure coaches face in international competitions.

3. Tom Saintfiet (Gambia)

Tom Saintfiet resigned from his position as head coach of The Gambia after the team’s elimination from AFCON in the group stages. Despite leading the team to the quarter-finals in 2021, Saintfiet faced the harsh reality of an early exit this time around.

The 50-year-old, who took charge in 2018, made the difficult decision to step down, leaving The Gambia to regroup and reflect on their performance in the tournament.

2. Djamel Belmadi (Algeria)

Djamel Belmadi, the 47-year-old coach of Algeria, bid adieu to his role after an underwhelming campaign that concluded with a shocking defeat against minnows, Mauritania. The disappointing performance raised eyebrows, and the Algerian Football Association decided it was time for a change.

Belmadi’s departure marked the end of an era for Algeria, who had high hopes for the tournament but were left grappling with unexpected setbacks.

1. Adel Amrouche (Tanzania)

The Algerian-Belgian coach, Adel Amrouche, had a short-lived stint with Tanzania in AFCON 2023. The East African nation’s football federation took decisive action, suspending Amrouche after just one game. The reason behind this abrupt decision was an eight-game ban and a fine imposed by the Confederation of African Football (CAF).

The Tanzanian Football Federation didn’t hesitate to enforce consequences, setting the tone for a tournament marked by managerial upheavals.

As the dust settles on AFCON 2023, the managerial reshuffles serve as a reminder of the high stakes involved in international football. The decisions made by football federations reflect not only the desire for immediate success but also the need to build sustainable and competitive teams for the future. The sacked coaches will undoubtedly reflect on their AFCON experiences, while the search for new leadership begins for the nations seeking a fresh start.

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