Memorable moments of AFCON 2021

Sadio Mane (Photo by CHARLY TRIBALLEAU / AFP)

AFCON 2021 has come and gone.

Memories linger on.

It was a great festival and a true celebration of the best of African football.

It had plenty of colour, culture, excitement, suspense, drama and pure entertainment. It was a great advertisement of African football, following the pre-tournament drama of those that wanted the championship cancelled because its effect on their business of football in Europe, and the Africans that would not hear of a cancellation or a suspension. The whole world became spectators of the showdown, waiting and watching to see what would happen during the championship to determine African football’s future.

Africa stood its ground, and went ahead with the championship despite the fears and the threats of Covid-19, and came out of the test in flying colours.

Cameroon and, indeed Africa, had to put up a great show to ‘shame’ the critics and sceptics from the moment the first ball was kicked to the moment the Tarango Lions of Senegal lifted the coveted trophy in a final match that held the watching world spellbound for the 120 minutes it lasted.

One of the most memorable moments of the four weeks festival of football, was seeing one of Africa’s greatest football players of all time, Roger Milla, looking dapper in his Blue Suit, walking majestically onto the grounds of the Olembe Stadium, with the jubilating players of Senegal and the mourning players of Egypt as the background, carrying the golden trophy across the field to its final resting place on the podium.

It was the first time any African football legend would be so honoured at such an event. It was an unforgettable moment.

There were other great moments too.

The picture of hundreds of thousands (probably