The 2023 Africa Cup of Nations is generating increasing attention and anticipation among football fans. And recently, a new measure was announced which should delight the selectors and the teams participating in the competition. Indeed, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) has decided to expand the number of selections from 23 to 27 players.
It was the president of the Ivorian football federation, Idriss Diallo, who confirmed this information by declaring: “CAF has given us information according to which the selectors can take up to 27 players for the CAN list”. This decision puts an end to the strict limit of 23 players previously imposed.
For selectors, this announcement is a real boon, allowing them to compose larger teams and benefit from additional options. This is particularly interesting for dual national players who have agreed to play for their home country. Indeed, players like Simon Banza or Grady Diangana, who recently chose to represent the Democratic Republic of Congo, will now be able to appear in the expanded squad.
This decision by CAF comes following requests from certain coaches, including Aliou Cissé, the coach of the Senegal national team, reigning African champions. He had pleaded in favor of an expansion of the workforce, aware of the difficulties and hazards that teams can face during a high-level competition like the CAN.
The ability to select up to 27 players offers more flexibility to coaches, who will be able to better manage suspensions, injuries and fitness problems of their players. This will also make it easier to call on replacements, if necessary.
However, it is important to note that this decision has not yet been officially confirmed by CAF or the relevant federations. But if this measure is indeed applied, it will undeniably bring a strategic advantage to the teams participating in CAN 2023.
In conclusion, the expansion of the team roster from 23 to 27 players for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations is news which should delight the coaches and offer more possibilities to the teams during the competition. We still have to wait for official confirmation of this decision from African football authorities.