How does team composition affect performance in continental tournaments?

Abstract

There is a dearth of research on factors, which affect the composition of high performing teams in continental tournaments. Given the short time available for managers to prepare national teams for competitions, composing the right team will yield desirable outcomes. The paper traces the history of the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) tournament, investigates factors to consider in constituting national teams and determines how these factors affect team performance. We investigate team mix, young talent, team experience and international ranking as dimensions of team composition to determine their marginal effect on a team’s ability to win medals in continental tournaments. Using panel data from AFCON competitions between 1990 and 2017, we study the performances of thirty-eight (38) African countries. This empirical study finds significant marginal effect of team mix, young talent, team experience and international ranking on performance in continental tournaments. We provide a model for composing winning teams. The study has implications for related disciplines in management science, which rely on teamwork, cohesion and diversity as well as recruiting the right personnel to achieve organizational objectives. Further research should consider a similar study in Europe and other parts of the world in a multivariate analysis.