AFCON 2023: Amir Abdou heaps favorites tag on Cape Verde

Amir Abdou was quick to heap the favorites tag on Cape Verde before the two teams meet on Monday January 29th, ahead of the TotalEnergies AFCON round 16.

The erstwhile Comoros coach was at this stage of the competition in 2021, and believes Cape Verde have the odds in their favor, but insists that “surprises” do exist in football

“This is an important moment. What we experienced against Algeria is extraordinary. We now have a round of 16 to play. We will continue to prepare well. We set our mentality to win the game.

Quizzed on how he is prepping the game, the gaffer voiced;

“Preparing for a match
In football, is straightforward (…). We must always continue to believe. We believed until the last moments of the third day, against Algeria.

“We enjoyed the qualifications, but not for too long. We have a match to play, time for the round of 16. The year i played against Cameroon with the Comoros, I was alone in my room, isolated. Fortunately, Covid is behind us.

“The context is different, especially since we had more time to prepare. The fatigue is behind us. The players are mentally well, and want to do battle with Cape Verde.

Cape Verde has been clinical from the group stage and topped a difficult group B with 7 points.

Abdou respects Cape Verde’s achievements.

“Cape Verde
is an attractive team. They’re favorites, and play quality football. They score a lot, they concede a little too, but I remember the offensive qualities, with a coach who also provides good performances.

” We played a match against Algeria which relied a lot on brilliant individuals, Cape Verde also has some but above all it is a well-oiled collective.

Questioned on what he needs to beat Cape Verde, Abdou was adamant to give out his game approach.

“A cook who makes a perfect dish would not give you his recipe. In reality, there is no recipe. We are a group, we have been together for 31 days. You have to know how to manage, comfort those who aren’t playing at all and be able to count on everyone. I don’t want to leave here, and I don’t want this adventure to end. I want to continue to make millions of Mauritanians happy.

“I hope that more Mauritanians are arriving as supporters in Abidjan and not spectators”. The gaffer ended.