The group stage of the Women’s African Cup of Nations in Morocco (CAN 2022) ended on July 10. For RFI, Christine Manie, ex-captain of the Cameroon team and consultant for this CAN 2022, draws up a positive assessment of the first round of the tournament. Maintenance.
RFI: Christine Manie, what did you think of this first round?
Christine Mania : This CAN has grown to 12 teams. So there are more matches than in previous editions. This first round was very emotional. There were also surprises, as well as disappointments. But the teams that make it to the quarter-finals deserve it, I think.
There are therefore more teams in the final phase: 12 against 8 before. Did that drag down the level of play?
Not at all. It rather tended to raise the level of play. With 8 teams in the final phase, we could not discover all these teams in progress. Ideally, it would even go up to 16 participating teams! You will tell me that we have gone to 12 and that we should not ask for more. But it raised the level because we saw that the new teams that qualified produced some play. It was fluid, really very well. It makes you wonder how it would have happened for these teams if they had participated in the CAN before. They might have made even more progress.
The goal average during this CAN 2022 has dropped a lot compared to previous editions since we go from 2.66 match goals to for example 3.6 goals in 2018. We have not seen very heavy defeats either. 6 or 7 goal difference, as in the past. Does that mean anything in particular, in your opinion?
It means that the defenses are preparing well. Coaches and trainers are working well. It also means that coaches train more and look at how to defend. In any case, the defenses are to be congratulated. This is a point to note. […]
Maybe there are not too many goals scored and that will disappoint football lovers. But me, as a defender, I am particularly satisfied to see what the defenses achieve during this African Cup of Nations.
Have any teams pleasantly surprised you?
Oh yes ! Botswana! The Batswana are my favorites during this competition. And, even if they are eliminated, the Burundians were also surprising. Burundi may have fallen into the toughest pool with the Nigerian and South African ogresses. But, within two years, they will continue to titillate the leaders of this competition.
Is there a player you particularly liked?
Several, yes. Already, there is the Moroccan captain [Ghizlane Chebbak, Ndlr], who plays midfield and carried his team on his shoulders. You will tell me that it is his role as captain. But, having this responsibility… She has all the expectations of the Moroccan people on her shoulders, knowing that Morocco is the host country of the tournament.
There is also Botswana number 7 [Refilwe Tebogo Tholekel, qui a marqué 2 buts, Ndlr]. She also impressed me a lot. She has athletic qualities. She will titillate the best. Knowing thatAsisat Oshoalathe best African player, is no longer there because of an injury, other players have the free way to chase the title of best player of the competition.
Obviously, I do not forget all the others, especially on the side of Cameroon, like Ajara [Njoya, Ndlr]. There will be a long struggle to win this distinction.
Conversely, have any teams disappointed you?
(She thinks) I would not speak of disappointment but of pressure linked to the competition. I’m thinking of an example, and I don’t know if it’s linked to a form of fear, but Tunisia had started the tournament very well, then I felt the Tunisian women a bit paralyzed during the following two matches. But it may be because they have not participated in the AFCON for a long time. [depuis 2008, Ndlr]. It may not have been easy for them. But they are in the quarter-finals and will perhaps show another face. We move on to a knockout phase. There will be no more calculations to do. But I don’t even think there is any reason to speak of disappointment with Tunisia.
A word on the quarter-finals of this CAN 2022: Morocco-Botswana, Zambia-Senegal, South Africa-Tunisia and Cameroon-Nigeria. Is there a game you’re looking forward to?
Yes, I would like to see Morocco-Botswana! This game intrigues me. The Morocco team is playing well and Botswana too. There is also Cameroon-Nigeria (she laughs)! Hoping that Cameroon can pass (smile).
Interviewed in Rabat