The dust – or confetti – has barely even settled on AFCON 2021, but it’s already clear that the tournament will live long in our memories for some time yet. From red card worthy tackles inside 30 seconds of the opener, to full-backs filling in between the sticks. This year’s African Cup of Nations wasn’t short of talking points. But more importantly – it wasn’t short of quality either.
We saw free-kicks galore. We saw goalkeeping heroics that will go down in folklore. Not to mention, some individual performances for the ages. Did the competition that was steeped in controversy from the offset live up to expectations? No. It blew them out of the water.
Entertainment on tap
First things first, we have to put respect on the winners, Senegal. The Final was billed as Salah v Mané, although those that know, know this only did a disservice to the other ballers on show. Truly amazing stories all over the pitch.
The Egyptian shot-stopper, Gabaski, needs to collect his flowers first and foremost. Eight spot kicks saved during The Pharaohs’ run to the final, and although his groin appears to be made of papier-mâché – he showed his nerves were made of nothing but steel.
And from one ‘keeper to another, how’s Edouard Mendy’s journey to the Promised Land for an underdog story? Without a club at 22. Champions League, Super Cup and AFCON winner at 29. You simply cannot make it up.
As much as the Final was more than just a two-man show, Sadio Mané really showed out to bring glory to the Lions of Terranga. The talisman put penalty misses in 2017, 2019 and even one earlier on in Sunday’s clash behind him to emphatically lash home the winning kick, bringing the trophy home to Senegal for the first time in their history.
Cometh the hour. Cometh the Mané. The Liverpool forward proved that greatness comes to those who wait. And boy, have the Senegalese people waited for their moment at the summit.
Even prime Eastenders script writers couldn’t have ended this narrative better.
Silenced the doubters
Let’s not get it twisted – there was a lot riding on this. The Tournament that was hosted by Cameroon faced critics left right and centre prior to it getting underway. But sure as hell, AFCON beat any allegations of being a subpar competition by hitting the most emphatic home run.
We might have been starved of goals in some games, the quality of some of them though? Well that was insane.
Free kick bangers came like iPhone 13 notifications. Non-stop. Youssouf M’changama deserves the biggest bunch of flowers though. Sent Comoros (and the rest of the world) into delirium with one of the cleanest hit dead-balls you’ll ever see in your life. From 30-yards out.
If you haven’t seen it, stop what you’re doing right now and go and watch it. And even if you’ve seen it already, go and run it up again. You won’t regret it.
If you think this year’s competition was all about moments though, you’re sorely mistaken. If the entertainment was on tap, then the quality on show was by the bucketload. Wherever the stadium, whatever the pitch. Ballers simply ball. And what’s an international tournament without a player from the Host Nation playing out of his skin?
Vincent Aboubakar did just that. 8 goals. 1 Golden Boot. And 1 Burberry polo worn to pick up his award to ensure that the streets – as well as the stats – will never forget this performance in his own backyard.
It wasn’t just the goal-getters grabbing the headlines. Standout performances from the likes of Nigeria’s Moses Simon, a Super Eagle that soared to even greater heights in Cameroon. This trickster restored the faith in wing play for fans, while causing sleepless nights for full-backs simultaneously.
Tragic scenes
For all of the historic wins and scenes of jubilation, there was an undoubted sour tone to the latter stages of AFCON 2021. Each game from Cameroon’s Last 16 clash with Comoros onwards began with a minute’s silence for the eight fans that tragically lost their lives during a stampede at the Olembé stadium.
It served as another timely reminder that as precious and as vital football is to its supporters, the fragility of life always supersedes everything. And those fans that sadly went to watch a game of football and didn’t returned home will never be forgotten.
History makers
Naysayers will have their opinion on some of the quality of matches on show, but that misses the point entirely. As was stated in the preview piece a few weeks back – this tournament was way bigger than football.
Whether it was Salima Mukansanga becoming the first woman to officiate an African Cup of Nations game, or Egypt making it all the way to the final with 22 of their 25-man squad still plying their trade in their home country. There were wins on and off the pitch that should make the whole of Africa proud.
And whilst last Sunday’s final was an amazing win for Senegal. It was also a win for the whole continent. Not to mention a win for football too. Because let’s face it – there’s not been an awful lot to shout about recently, has there?
