Technology-driven Technical Study Group sets new benchmark at TotalEnergies CAF AFCON Morocco 2025

The Technical Study Group (TSG) at the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025 has undergone a major transformation, with new technology and working methods delivering deeper, more accurate technical insights for teams, coaches and CAF’s coach education programmes.

For the first time in the history of the competition, CAF has introduced a fully integrated, remote-based technical analysis model during the group phase, supported by live data platforms, multi-angle video feeds and dedicated video analysts.

The shift marks a decisive move away from traditional, manual reporting methods towards a modern, collaborative and data-driven approach.

According to CAF TSG Leader Belhassen Malouche, the changes were essential to keep pace with the evolution of the game.

“Football is improving, but also the technology and the way matches are analysed,” Malouche said. “If football is evolving, we also need to evolve. This required us to grow and work in the same environment as the top global football competitions.”

From isolated observation to collective analysis

In previous editions of the TotalEnergies CAF AFCON, TSG members worked largely in isolation. Analysts were stationed at venues, producing reports independently, with limited opportunities for collaboration or exchange of ideas. Reports were written manually, tactical diagrams were drawn by hand, and video integration was minimal.

“At times, we were working in the same way we had worked 20 years ago,” Malouche explained. “Each expert observed matches alone, designed reports on their own and had very little opportunity to exchange with the rest of the group.”

For Morocco 2025, CAF introduced a remote analysis structure during the group stage. TSG members were organised into four teams of three, each consisting of two technical experts and one video analyst. Each group analysed one match, prepared a full technical report the following day, and then moved on to the next fixture.

The structure allowed for daily coordination meetings, enabling all TSG members to share observations, identify trends and align findings across matches and groups.

“We now have real exchange,” Malouche said. “The discussions are productive in terms of tactics, trends and logistics. We know what is happening across the whole competition, not just in one stadium.”

New tools, deeper insight

At the centre of the transformation is the introduction of advanced analysis technology. Each match is now analysed using three simultaneous feeds: the broadcast camera, a wide-angle tactical camera capturing the full pitch, and live Opta performance data.

The wide-angle camera allows analysts to track the positioning and movement of almost all outfield players at all times, offering insight into team shape, spacing and off-ball movement that is not visible from the broadcast feed alone.

“This camera allows us to see the position of every player, even those far from the ball,” Malouche said. “It helps us understand how teams attack, defend and organise themselves collectively.”

In parallel, the TSG has access to live Opta data and CAF’s Red Zone platform, enabling real-time analysis of key performance indicators such as attacking zones, passing accuracy, pressing actions and defensive organisation.

“We are no longer working manually,” Malouche explained. “All phases of the game are already structured on the platform. The expert simply adds their technical comments, submits the report, and it is immediately available.”

Video integration and interactive reporting

Another major innovation is the full integration of video analysis into TSG reporting. For the first time, CAF TSG reports include embedded video clips linked directly to tactical observations.

“When we analyse pressing, for example, we don’t just describe it,” said Malouche. “We include video clips with tracking and animation so coaches can see exactly how it is executed.”

This approach strengthens the credibility and usefulness of the reports, combining expert observation with objective data and visual evidence. It also allows the TSG to validate subjective assessments, such as individual awards, using performance metrics alongside expert judgement.

“We still use the eye of the expert, but now we have data to confirm it immediately,” Malouche added.

Focus on trends and African football development

The enhanced technical framework has allowed the TSG to move beyond descriptive match reports towards trend-based analysis.

Each expert is tasked with analysing the four moments of the game: attacking organisation, defensive organisation, attacking transition and defensive transition, alongside set-pieces and goal patterns.

Importantly, the TSG now benchmarks African football against global trends, identifying both strengths and areas for development.

“We are no longer analysing blindly,” Malouche said. “We refer to current global football trends and compare them with what we see in Africa. This helps us identify where we need to improve.”

These findings will feed directly into CAF’s coaching education programmes. The final TSG report will serve as a technical reference for instructors, ensuring that African coaches are trained using data and examples drawn from African competition rather than external leagues.

“Our objective is not only to analyse,” Malouche said. “It is to give tools to coaches, to reduce the gap with other football environments and to improve African football at all levels.”

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