Into the glittering stage of TotalEnergies CAF AFCON

Football delivers results, and the transformation in Bouake, the second-largest city in Côte d’Ivoire, is undeniable.

In September 2002, the city was ravaged by the Civil War, as troops took control of the Northern Part of the West African country.

This marked a significant turning point in the lives of the people. What was once a vibrant city had been battered and scarred.

Bouake became a shadow of itself, with child soldiers patrolling the streets in armored tanks and occasional gunshots at night, instilling fear that the troops were taking over the city.

Stade de la Paix, a stadium used for the 1984 TotalEnergies CAF AFCON, served as an execution site during the civil war, according to locals.

To unite the people of Côte d’Ivoire, Stade de la Paix hosted the country’s game against Madagascar in June 2007 in the TotalEnergies CAF AFCON 2008 qualifiers.

Twenty-five thousand fans witnessed Côte d’Ivoire winning the game 5-0, marking a significant turning point.

“It was interesting when the game against Madagascar was played. We were all tense when the announcement was made because of how things were ongoing here,” said a witness.

Two decades later, the story has completely changed. Bouake is hosting Africa’s flagship football tournament, the TotalEnergies CAF AFCON Côte d’Ivoire 2023, at the renovated Stade de la Paix, now with a 40,000-seater capacity.

Once a rebel base, the city is now welcoming Africa’s football community. These days, it’s all pomp and pageantry.

Beyond the beauty of the football witnessed here, the town has become a significant beneficiary of the byproducts of an AFCON that has provided infrastructure, an economic boost for locals, and upliftment of spirits that were once in the woods.

The fairytale excites many locals who have witnessed both sides of Bouake.

“You have no idea what the current state of Bouake means to us. We are very excited to see people moving freely without any fear; this is a great feeling,” said a native of Bouake.

The beauty and unifying force of football is evident in Bouake, a testament to how the game brings people together.

As the TotalEnergies CAF AFCON wraps up soon, there will be much to reflect on and be proud of.

For indigenes and the more prominent Ivorian people, the fireside chat will be about how football once upon a time came to town and changed everything.

Mark Gleeson’s consistent contribution to the colorful memories of CAF’s major tournaments is nonpareil

The TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations holds many memories for Africans. For most followers of Africa’s biggest sporting event, a voice contributing to their colorful tournament memories has been consistent for many years.

South Africa’s Mark Gleeson, a seasoned journalist, commentator, columnist, and all-round football lover, took time out of the commentary box to chat to CAFOnline about his years of covering Africa’s biggest event, which for him dates back to the 1992 edition in Senegal.

Since then, Gleeson, regarded as the voice of African football commentary, has covered several global sporting events such as the TotalEnergies CAF AFCON, the Olympic Games, and the FIFA World Cup.

Amongst his endless achievements in covering the African game, Gleeson was awarded the CAF Gold Order of Merit in 2017 for his consistency and outstanding coverage of African football.

In this sit-down with CAFOnline, he takes us back to his first TotalEnergies AFCON, the highlights of this edition, and some of his fondest memories since the 1992 edition.

1. As someone who has covered the AFCON for so many years, how would you rate the standard of the current edition?

I think this current edition has been the best. One of the main reasons is the quality of pitches. If you allow these fantastic African football artists to play on beautiful surfaces, they bring out the best. In the past, we saw a few AFCONs where the pitches were not up to standard, but this edition has been fantastic. I know there’s been a lot of effort in making sure that the pitches are great and the quality of football, as a result, has been perfect. I would rate it number one.

2. What about the AFCON you enjoy so much that you have consistently covered for all these years?

It’s the biggest sporting event in Africa. It’s the highest pinnacle for African footballers. It’s the highest pinnacle for African sport. It’s good to see all your friends again when you come here. It’s nice to work on, and there are always nice stories for us journalists, it’s become a bit more institutionalized over the 30 years since I have been covering it, but it’s still a wonderful occasion, and it’s become even better.

3. What is your fondest memory of a match you covered? 

As a South African, South Africa won it in 1996, beating Tunisia. It was the first time they ever participated in the tournament, the first time ever hosting it, and I think that also sticks in the memories of most of my compatriots. Unfortunately, 1996 is still a reference point. We should have won a few more, but that hasn’t happened. Nonetheless, that is still my highlight regarding the Africa Cup of Nations.

4. What goes into the preparation for commentating in such matches? 

You have got to do a lot of research on the players. Your job is not only to entertain but primarily, in my opinion, it is to inform; you must be able to tell the viewer about players, situations, and the circumstances of a game, and it’s a lot of notes taking and a lot of paper before going into the commentary box.

5. Top 3 AFCON tournaments that you have covered and why?

I would say 1996 because South Africa won. It was in my home country, and I particularly enjoyed it. I enjoyed it so much. I also enjoyed 2006 in Egypt because it was an easy tournament to get around. After all, you could drive to all the venues. I remember trying to watch as many matches as I possibly could, except for the matches played simultaneously. I went to every single game. Also, in my first one in Senegal in 1992, we lived in the same hotel with the players. We had breakfast with them around the pool. It was an extraordinary experience in a different era. I played Tennis with Roger Milla. It was great fun.

6. What have been your highlight matches in this edition?

I have only done the matches at the main stadium and one match in San Pedro, South Africa, beating Morocco. For me, an extraordinary match was Equatorial Guinea beating Cote d’Ivoire, the most significant loss by a home team at the AFCON. It reminded me a bit about that match when Brazil lost to Germany at home in the semi-final of the World Cup in 2014. Everything went wrong on the day. Nothing went right. It was very unfortunate for them (Cote d’Ivoire). It was good that they could bounce back, but I have never seen something so extraordinary.

7. Which teams have impressed you the most in Cote d’Ivoire? 

A team that has impressed me is Cape Verde. Equatorial Guinea – I think their secret is that they have a consistency that is forced on them because they don’t have a big pool of players, so those little teams doing so well against the big teams are significant.

Cape Verde was getting a great result, and South Africa’s win against Morocco was impressive.

Wissa: DR Congo focused on flying flag high at TotalEnergies CAF AFCON

Credit: Cafonline

Simon: Winning is all that matters for Nigeria

As Super Eagles reach TotalEnergies CAF AFCON semi-finals

https://youtu.be/p4AFvcLSmA4?t=18

AFCON 2023: Super Eagles pip Angola in Abidjan to reach last four, extend AFCON record

https://youtu.be/IwENvtYPNaw

By Rasheed Adewuyi

The fearsome Nigeria juggernaut rolled with pomp into the Africa Cup of Nations semi-finals on Friday after another self-assured performance that knocked ambitious Angola out of the competition and booked their flight tickets back home.

In doing so, the Class of 2024 has in some way avenged the disappointment of Nigeria staying at home for the 2006 FIFA World Cup finals while the Palancas Negras traveled to Germany at their expense and for Samuel Okwaraji’s death in a 1990 FIFA World Cup qualifying match against the Angolans at the National Stadium, Lagos thirty four-and-half years ago.

The Sable Antelopes sought a first-ever Africa Cup of Nations semi-final appearance. Still, they were abject underdogs against Nigeria, which had made the semi-finals on 15 occasions in their 19 previous appearances.

Before kick-off, top striker Gelson Dala was the competition’s second top scorer with four goals, and Coach Pedro Goncalves said his boys would throw everything into the encounter to realize their dreams.

In-form Nigeria had other ideas, and although Victor Osimhen’s header off a sweet lift from Frank Onyeka in the quarter-hour went too high, the Africa Player of the Year saw another header palmed by goalkeeper Dominique. Another one went slightly away; Ademola Lookman got them in front in the 41^st minute, rifling to the roof a pass from the left by Moses Simon, as the striker escaped the attention of Jonathan Buatu and held the ball long enough for the advancing Lookman.

Like in almost all tournaments, the Eagles managed a tidy game well. Despite Angola’s efforts in the second period, the three-time champions still dominated and looked very dangerous on the counter.

Three minutes into the second half, Zaidu Sanusi flashed over the bar from close range, and 10 minutes later, Calvin Bassey also headed over the sticks. However, in the 59th minute, a mistake in the midfield allowed the southern Africans sight of the goal, and in a rare moment, the ball got past Nigeria goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali. But they were denied by the upright.

With 15 minutes left, Nigeria thought they had a second goal when Dominique punched Osimhen’s powerful header into the net. Still, Senegalese referee Issa Sy declared that he was marginally offside.

Not done, Osimhen again wriggled away from the attentions of several defenders and had sight of goal, but Buatu blocked his 81st-minute effort.

With a minute left of regulation time, Nwabali confidently punched away a shot by Pacienca, and the Eagles were in the semi-finals of the 34^th Africa Cup of Nations finals.

They will take on the winner of Saturday’s quarter-final duel between Cape Verde’s Blue Sharks and the Bafana Bafana of South Africa. Wednesday, that semi-final encounter is scheduled for the Stade de la Paix in Bouake.