In the previous summer of 2021 this one of Africa’s finest soccer tournaments was scheduled to be played after a disastrous Covid-19 global sorrow. The host country lying at the junction of western and central Africa,Cameroon had been more prepared amidst all challenges in the summer of 2021, however the tournament has twice seen its dates altered. CAF, the governing body of African football, moved it forward to January/February 2021 due to the more favorable conditions on the continent at that time of year. However, the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in a 12-month postponement once again.
The exhilarated Grand opening ceremony accompanied with the best 3D Lion technology “Slaying” on top of the 60,000 Capacity Olembe stadium in Yaounde was witnessed by the Cameroon President H.E Paul Biya, CAF President Patrice Motsepe & Gianni Infantino the FIFA President.
Just like the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, the competition, retained its original name too as Cameroon2021 despite taking place in 2022, finally got under way on Sunday 9 January, with the 24-team group phase concluding 11 days later. The top two sides in each of the six groups will progress to the round of 16, alongside the four best third-placed teams.
Hard luck the pearl of Africa Uganda’s “The Cranes” is not showcasing its talent this time round after being ejected in the group stages by Malawi in a 1:0 thrashing that limped them out of the tournament in the west African city.
The dates for the knockout rounds are as follows:
Round of 16: 23-25 January
Quarter-finals: 29-30 January
Semi-finals: 2-3 February
Third-placed play-off: 6 February
Final: 6 February
AFCON 2021 GROUPS
Group A: Cameroon, Burkina Faso, Cape Verde, Ethiopia
Group B: Senegal, Zimbabwe, Guinea, Malawi
Group C: Morocco, Ghana, Gabon, Comoros
Group D: Egypt, Nigeria, Sudan, Guinea-Bissau
Group E: Algeria, Ivory Coast, Sierra Leone, Equatorial Guinea
Group F: Tunisia, Mali, Gambia, Mauritania
Most Premier Leagues teams have released their players to participate on this tournament such as Africa’s finest Mo Salah (Egypt/Liverpool), Eric Baily (I.Coast/Man Utd), PE. Abumeyang (Gabon/Arsenal) etc.
The group phase concludes on 20 January with high excitement to see duos that share same premier league teams battling against each other such as Senegalese play maker Sadio Mane vs. Egyptian pharaoh Mo Salah both play for Liverpool. Man United’s Eric Baily could as well tussle it out with Tunisia’s Hannibal Mejbri in the round of 16, should Tunisia top their group and Ivory Coast come second in theirs.
The $5million prized tournament comes with mixed reactions for the “Matooke Republics citizens” but left with no options than washing their hands & sanitizing so often and appreciate “the real big boys” compete.
The Campusa Magazine Soccer Lens.
Menyatta Ronald
