The FIFA March break came to an end on Monday 26th. The new coaches of African teams have had mixed fortunes.
Vladimir Petkovic: strong, winning choices
For his first two games in charge of Algeria, Vladimir Petkovic made a number of changes. Firstly, on the tactical front. The Swiss technician abandoned the 4-3-3 for a return to the 4-4-2 which had been the Fennecs' strength in previous years. The result was a 3-2 win over Bolivia and a 3-3 draw with South Africa. What's more, the choice of men was also conclusive. Indeed, the former Bordeaux coach decided to recall several "banished" players from the squad. Yassine Benzia returned to the Fennecs after an absence of almost 6 years. There was also the return of Yacine Brahimi, whose last cap was 26 months ago. Against Bolivia, Brahimi was the decisive passer and Benzia the scorer. Against South Africa, Brahimi scored and set up, while Benzia not only scored twice, including a magnificent overhead kick, but also provided Brahimi with an assist.
However, the only problem for Vladimir Petkovic is the defense. The Fennecs have conceded 5 goals in two games. This is the first time since 2005 that a new coach has conceded so many goals in his first two games. This defensive fragility had already cost them dearly at the AFCON 2023, with 4 goals conceded in 3 games. With the World Cup 2026 qualifiers in June and the AFCON 2025 qualifiers in September, the new coach will have plenty of time to make adjustments between now and then. In Algeria, however, there is every reason to be optimistic about the future of the national team under Petkovic.
LE SUPERBE RETOURNE DE YASSINE BENZIA.
C'EST DE L'ART 🔥🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/dW1k5xKT5L
— Chebli Ishaq (@IshaqChebli) March 26, 2024
Hossam Hassan: without Salah, without spice; Otto Addo, there's work to be done
In Egypt, however, Hossam Hassam was less polished than Algeria's new coach. After a 1-0 victory over New Zealand in the semi-finals of the Winsunited Tournament, the Egyptians exploded in the final against Croatia 2-4. But that was without Mohamed Salah, who remained at Liverpool. In the absence of their attacking leader, the Pharaohs scored both their goals against the Croatians thanks to defenders (Rabia, Abdelmonem). Against New Zealand, however, it took Mostafa Mohamed's penalty to score. Hossam Hassan will have to find solutions quickly to get his team back on track. However, he did try his hand at tactics, first with a 3-5-2 against New Zealand, then a 4-2-3-1 against Croatia. With the return of Salah for the next few matches, he will have a player capable of breaking down any defensive line...
Among the big nations to have changed coach, the one who seems to have the most work to do is Otto Addo. Under his leadership, Ghana lost 1-2 to Nigeria, before drawing 2-2 with Uganda. In addition, the Black Stars received 3 red cards in these two matches. A sign of the nerves already evident at the AFCON. What's more, the Black Stars have now gone 07 games without a win. Their last victory came on November 17 against Madagascar (1-0).
Brama Traoré and Burkina Faso's mediocre interim results
Burkina Faso also changed coach after the 2023 African Cup of Nations. Out goes Hubert Velud, in comes Brama Traoré.However, the graft has yet to take hold. A worrying defeat by Libya (1-2) and a disappointing draw with Niger (1-1). That's the Etalons' meagre record during this international window.
Two of Africa's giants have one thing in common: they both have an interim coach. In Nigeria, legend George Finidi was on the bench, with a 2-1 win over Ghana and a 0-2 defeat by Mali. Tunisia's interim coach is Montasser Louhichi. He was unable to solve the Carthage Eagles' attacking problems, as they failed to score against Croatia (0-0, defeat on penalties) and New Zealand (0-0, victory on penalties) in the Winsunited Tournament.Without Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Thiery Mouyouma's Gabon were slapped 0-3 by Senegal before drawing 1-1 with Congo.
