Head of States rally national teams to deliver Afcon title
In this file photo, Cameroon president Paul Biya waves as he leaves the Elysee Palace in Paris. Biya, 88, is Africa's oldest and second longest-serving leader.
What you need to know:
- During a ceremony to hand over the Malian flag to the national team on December 28 last year, transitional president, Colonel Assimi Goïta urged them to bring home the trophy
- Cameroonian leader, President Biya in his end of year address to the nation on December 31 last year, called on the national team to ensure the trophy stays in Yaounde
- President Sall told the 2019 runners-up that the nation expects them to go beyond the final this time
Some African leaders have tasked their national selections to win the 33rd edition of the Africa Cup of Nations which kicks off in Cameroon on Sunday.
The head of states namely Paul Biya of Cameroon, Macky Sall of Senegal, Muhammadu Buhari of Nigeria and the transitional leaders of Guinea and Mali, Colonels Mamady Doumbouya and Assimi Goïta respectively, have challenged the national teams directly or through messages.
During a ceremony to hand over the Malian flag to the national team on December 28 last year, transitional president, Colonel Assimi Goïta urged them to bring home the trophy.
“You are now on a commanded mission,” the leader told the players as he handed them the national flag. “You now have the huge task of defending Malian colours and to bring the trophy home. Nothing is impossible in life…it is during difficult moments that we know true citizens. You are called to give hope to Malians through sports,” the leader said in a video posted on the official social media page of the presidency.
In response on behalf of his team mates, Hamari Traore, captain of the Eagles of Mali promised Goïta that they are going to “battle spirit and soul” to bring home the coveted trophy.
Mali, whose best performance in the tournament dates back to 1972 when they finished runners-up, are in Group 'F' alongside favourites Tunisia, Mauritania and debutants The Gambia.
In a similar message a day earlier, the transitional president of Guinea charged the Syli Nationale to also ensure they bring the much sought-after trophy home. Addressing the team prior to their departure to Rwanda where they have been camping, Colonel Mamady Doumbouya told captain Naby Keïta and team mates to “fight like soldiers” and bring the trophy to Conakry.
“As soldiers, we die saving the country, the homeland, the nation… Through you, we must feel the greatness of the Guinean people. Through your performance, we must rediscover the dignity and bravery of this people. I entrust you the national colour, to hoist it very high. It is a privilege that not everyone is given. The state has bled this year to put you in all the right conditions,” the transitional president said as he handed the national flag to the team.
Colonel Doumbouya told the team that the Guinean people are behind them as one man “because you are a symbol of unity and solidarity. Discipline at all times, commitment at all times.”
The 2015 quarter-finalists are drawn in Group 'B' of the tournament alongside favourites Senegal, Zimbabwe and Malawi.
On his part, Cameroonian leader, President Biya in his end of year address to the nation on December 31 last year, called on the national team to ensure the trophy stays in Yaounde.
“I would like to call on our Beloved (national football team) Indomitable Lions to do their utmost to ensure that they end this (football) festival in grand style on the evening of February 6, 2022,” the veteran leader said calling on Cameroonians to “rise to the challenge and remind the world that we are a great Nation.”
Cameroon won her fifth Afcon trophy in 2017 when they defeated seven-time champions Egypt 2-1 in the final in Gabon. The hosts have been drawn in Group 'A' alongside Burkina Faso, Ethiopia and Cape Verde.
Similarly, during a ceremony to bid farewell to the Teranga Lions of Senegal, prior to their departure to Cameroon this week, President Macky Sall told the team that the entire nation is expecting the trophy back home.
“The nation has waited with hope for so many years. So with faith, determination and courage, make Cameroon 2021 the most beautiful page in the history of our country’s participation in the Africa Nations Cup. You are capable of (winning) it,” Sall said.
President Sall told the 2019 runners-up that the nation expects them to go beyond the final this time. “We want the trophy. I do not hold you up to the impossible, but you must believe in it and never underestimate your opponents,” the Senegalese leader said.
The Teranga Lions missed their first-ever Afcon crown when they lost to Cameroon in the 2002 final and again failed to lift the trophy when they lost 1-0 to Algeria in 2019.
Meanwhile, Nigerian leader, Muhammadu Buhari has also told the national team to act like “true soldiers and warriors” and do Nigeria proud by bringing the trophy home.
Buhari spoke to the players through the Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Sunday Dare who conveyed the president’s message to the Super Eagles at a ceremony for the team on Tuesday in Abuja ahead of their departure to Cameroon.
“The President sends you forth with a clear message of total support and trust in your ability to do Nigeria proud. Nigerians are fully behind you,” the Minister said as part of a message from the president to coach Augustine Eguavoen’s side.
The three-time African champions who finished third in the previous edition have been drawn in Group 'D' alongside favourites Egypt, Sudan and Guinea-Bissau.
