For the first time since 1972, Cameroon is hosting the Africa Cup of Nations (Coupe d'Afrique Des Nations). The prestigious tournament and showpiece of African Football is being played in stadiums across the nation, with games being hosted in Yaoundé, Douala, Limbe, Bafoussam, and Garoua. After many delays, the tournament is finally taking place and turning out to be full of incredible stories and moments.
First and foremost, the Indomitable Lions are - as good hosts should - staying present with their guests and advancing to the next round, having defeated Burkina Faso in the opening match of the competition, routed Ethiopia 4-1, and seen out a draw with Cape Verde. The strong performances have energized the nation, reminiscent of the Lions’ last AFCON victory in Gabon in 2017.
The tournament has enjoyed several other notable moments, such as Gabon’s last minute equalizer against Ghana, Sierra Leone’s battle to draw 2-2 with powerhouse Ivory Coast, Equatorial Guinea’s improbable win over Algeria, and Ivory Coast’s magnificent dismantling of Algeria 3-1. Indeed, the defending Champions and highly-touted Algerian team finished bottom of their group, to the shock of the watching world.
Amid plenty of spectacular goals and incredible saves, several unexpected entries have been making heads turn with their incredible performances. Sierra Leone joined AFCON for the first time in 25 years this year and saw out well-fought draws against both Algeria and Ivory Coast. Comoros arrived at the tournament for the time in their history with the tiny island country navigating a tricky group but managing a massive win over Ghana, enough to send the newcomers to the round of 16. The Gambia was another fresh face at the tournament and another team making people stand up and take notice with their resolute performances, resulting in 2 wins, a draw against Mali, and an extended stay in Cameroon and in the competition.
The knock-out rounds of AFCON 2021 are just around the corner, and they promise to be thrilling, dramatic and filled with beautiful moments.
Africa’s top teams coming together in Cameroon is an opportunity to highlight the immense potential of football in each Africa. While the styles of play and tactics may vary widely from nation to nation, the talent and passion on display is undeniable. Africa has a strong base of talented footballers both domestically and playing abroad, players who deserve their moment to rise to the occasion and represent their country. Stories are being written that will be etched into the memories of millions of passionate fans of football in Africa.
As the continent comes together to cheer on its greatest stars, it is also a moment to highlight the work yet to be done to develop African football, from improving academies and player pathways, to better infrastructure and coaching for youth. Indeed, despite the success of the tournament, Cameroon itself has a road of possibility ahead with opportunities to develop girls’ football, invest in youth systems, and strengthen the domestic league. Each country, with its players and fans, should look for opportunities to invest in the next generation of football stars: the young girls and boys dreaming about representing their nation on a football pitch and needing encouragement, direction, and the support of their communities. The Cup of Nations should be a reminder of this responsibility to the next generation. As stories are being written now at the AFCON, there are many stories yet to be told.
The Africa Cup of Nations has a rich history, and the future looks incredibly bright as well. Allez Les Lions
