Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) announced on 20th May that Pakistan Men’s Football Team will be participating in the 4-Nations Cup 2023. The tournament will be staged in Mauritius during the June international friendlies window. It is expected to run from 8th June to 18th June.
Whom will Pakistan be facing in the 4 Nations Cup 2023?
Pakistan will be locking horns with three formidable African Nations. This includes Mauritius, Kenya, and Djibouti as the Shaheens gear up for the SAFF Championship to be held in India later in the month. Let’s go through the opponents that Pakistan will be facing.
Kenya is ranked 102nd in the FIFA Men’s Rankings. Like Pakistan, they were also banned by FIFA for political interference. As a result, they missed out on playing in the 2023 African Cup of Nations Qualifiers. But since their ban was lifted by FIFA, they have been looking to make up for the lost time as they set their sights on the 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers to be held later in the year. So, they will be determined to do better in the 4-Nations Cup 2023.
Unlike Pakistan players, the Kenya players have experience playing in various international leagues around the world. The likes of Erick Otieno, Joseph Okumu, and Daniel Anyembe have been playing in European leagues for quite some time. Their captain Michael Olunga plays his club football for Al Duhail in the Qatar Stars League. He is currently the top goal scorer in the league with 22 goals to his name. So, they are going to be a tough opposition for Pakistan.
Mauritius is another African Nation that Pakistan will be facing in the tournament. They are not as strong as the Kenya Football team. This is evident from the fact that they are ranked 180th in the FIFA Men’s Rankings. Their players have only limited international experience, and most play their club football in Mauritius. Furthermore, their last international outing was in July 2022 when they participated in the 2022 COSAFA Cup. Unfortunately, they lost all three games in the tournament and finished bottom of the group.
The Djibouti Football team is probably the weakest of the three African countries participating in the 4 Nations Cup 2023. They are ranked 193rd in the FIFA Men’s Ranking. All of their players play their club football in their home country except Anas Farah Ali. He plays for Moss FK in the 2nd Division of Norwegian football. So, the Pakistan football team will be hopeful of getting a positive result against their African rivals.
Also, Read: FIFA Gives Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) their final verdict
Significance of this Tournament for Pakistan Men’s Football Team
The 4 Nations Cup 2023 comes at an ideal time for the Pakistan Men’s Football Team as the Shaheens start their preparations for the SAFF Championship 2023. The tournament is scheduled to take place in India from 21st June with arch-rivals Pakistan and India having been placed in the same group. Pakistan fans were left gutted after their national team missed out on the 2021 edition of the tournament due to FIFA’s suspension. So, they will be determined to make a mark this time around.
The 4 Nations Cup 2023 will surely help Pakistan to find out the best set of players and formation that suits the team’s playing style. Pakistan head coach, Shahzad Anwar, will be hoping that this tournament will bring the best out of his players and give them valuable experience in playing international football. Having been deprived of international football for such a long time, the Pakistan players have suffered a lot. So, at this moment it is about playing as many matches as possible and developing new strategies and tactics to make up for the lost time.
Pakistan will be looking to bolster its squad by adding overseas players of Pakistani heritage. Earlier in the month, PFF announced that Easah Suliman, the former England U-20 player, has decided to change his international allegiance from England to Pakistan. Hence, he will be available to represent Pakistan Men’s Football Team at international events. Pakistan will be hoping that other overseas players like Otis Khan and Adil Nabi will follow in the footsteps of Suliman and be available to represent Pakistan.
The 4 Nations Cup 2023 will surely allow these overseas-based players to gel in with the rest of the squad before Pakistan departs for SAFF Championships 2023. This is a vital year for Pakistan Men’s Football Team as the 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers are scheduled to take place in October 2023. Unfortunately, Pakistan has never made it past the first round. So, the more games these players can get under their belts before that the brighter are going to be Pakistan’s prospects of doing better at the World Cup Qualifiers.
