The Africa Cup of Nations commonly referred to as TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations for sponsorship reasons or simply AFCON, is the main international men’s association football competition in Africa. It is sanctioned by the Confederation of African Football [CAF], and was first held in 1957. Since 1968, it has been held every two years, switching to odd numbered years in 2013.
In the first tournament in 1957, there were only three participating nations; Egypt, Sudan, Ethiopia. Since then, the tournament has expanded greatly, making it necessary to hold a qualifying tournament. The number of participants in the final tournament reached 16 in 1998 and until 2017, the format had been unchanged, with the 16 teams being drawn into four groups of 4 teams each, with the top two teams of each group advancing to a ‘knock out’ stage.
On 20th July 2017, the AFCON was moved from January to June and expanded from 16 to 24 teams. Egypt is the most successful nation in the cup’s history, winning the tournament 7 times, with Cameroon winning five times and Ghana four times.
Three trophies have been awarded during the tournament’s history; the current trophy was first awarded in 2002. Egypt won an unprecedented three consecutive titles in 2006, 2008, and 2010. In 2013, the tournament format was switched to being held in odd numbered years so as not to interfere with the FIFA World Cup.
Ivory Coast are the current tournament’s champions, having beaten Nigeria 2 – 1 In the 2023 finals, with Sebastien Haller having played hero 18 months removed from his testicular cancer diagnosis, completing a comeback to score the 81st minute winner for Ivory Coast.
Since inception, AFCON has grappled with numerous challenges. One of the foremost issues has been the struggles to meet infrastructure demands, including stadiums, accommodations, and transportations, in host countries. Political instability has often disrupted the tournament’s organization and security, leading to last minute changes or cancellations.
Financial constraints have also hindered smooth operations, necessitating substantial sponsorship and government support. Security threats, such as terrorism and civil unrest, have posed a significant challenges necessitating robust security measures to safeguard players, officials and fans. Scheduling conflicts with European club seasons have impacted player availability and the competitiveness of participating teams.
Limited media coverage compared to other continental tournaments has affected AFCON’s global exposure and sponsorship potential. The COVID-19 pandemic further exacerbated issues, disrupting schedules and revenue streams.
Additionally, concerns about the quality of playing surfaces have arisen, potentially affecting match quality and player safety.
Despite these obstacles, ongoing effort to address infrastructure, investments, security, and other issues underscore the tournament resilience and significance in African football.
To address the challenges facing AFCON, several solutions can be implemented. Firstly, investing in infrastructure development in host countries will ensure adequate facilities for the tournament, including stadiums, hotels, and transportation networks. This can be achieved through partnerships between government, private investors, and international organizations.
Secondly, promoting political stability and security in host nations will mitigate the risk of disruptions to the tournament and ensure safety of participants and spectators. Enhanced security measures and cooperation between countries can help address security concerns effectively.
In conclusion, while AFCON has faced numerous challenges since its inception, concerted efforts to address infrastructure, security, financial, and scheduling issues can ensure the tournament’s continued success and growth.
STORY By IDAH MIDEVA, Second Year Media student at Chuka University
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