Since time immemorial, soccer has been a game of interest to man. In the old British Empire, the game was used to entertain monarchs. But the first notable football match was held in 1862. After the match, the news spread quickly across the continent; this resulted to the first-ever championship in Africa in the year 1919.
Before the tournament, the game was already popular in Morocco. From the time of the first championship until when African Cup of Nations (AFCON) began, football had brought a unified glory to the continent and to the participating individual countries.
African countries started football game with the exception of South Africa, which was still chafing under apartheid regime. Egypt, Ethiopia, and Sudan contested but the Pharaohs of Egypt trashed Ethiopia 4 nil at the finals. This made them the first winners of the trophy. In 1959, the tournament came alive again but South Africa was again barred from participation by the apartheid potentate.
In 1963, the Black stars of Ghana joined the league. This made the Black Stars to be the first host of the competition in the western flank of the Africa. Nigeria, Tunisia and Ghana with the three pioneer countries battled for the cup. The Black Stars trashed the Nile Crocodiles of Sudan by three goals to nothing. Two years later, Ghana, as the defending champion, took its squad to Tunisia and defeated the host country at the final stage of the tournament.
In promoting the unity of diverse ethnic nations in Africa, AFCON has offered a good platform to unite the Anglophons and Francophone countries on the continent. This, it must be stated, has improved the relationship of countries in Africa over the years.
In its evolution, poor officiating has marred African soccer contest. Many countries have lamented the manner with which African referees officiate matches. A final match between Black Stars and Congo Kinshasa in 1968 championship was marred with irregularities. Ditto 1970 final match between Sudan and Ghana. The poor officiating of crucial matches in terms of keeping to the rules raised a lot of controversies in the continent’s football fiesta.
Due to biased officiating and intimidation by citizens of host country, Ghana’s players refused silver medals in the 1970 contest. In reaction, they were deported by the then Sudan’s military dictator. This act aggravated the crisis of confidence in the organisation of AFCON by the apex football body.
But when the Nigeria hosted the rest of Africa in 1980, there was an improvement in officiating. Green Eagles defeated Algerian team in the final match. The Black Stars came back with a winning team that lifted the trophy in 1982, putting Libyans on the losing side. In 1984, the final battle was between Nigeria and Cameroon, and Nigeria was defeated by three goals to one.
In 1990, Algeria hosted and trounced Nigeria with one goal at the final stage of the championship. Nigeria defeated Zambia at the final stage in Tunisia 94.
In 1996, South Africa, free from the apartheid regime, hosted the rest of Africa and defeated Tunisia two goals to nil at the finals.
In 2002, Mali hosted the championship and the Indomitable Lions of Cameroun lifted the trophy, leaving the Senegalese team with nothing. In 2004, Tunisia hosted the championship and defeated Morocco at the finals. Egypt then set in with their chains of victory from 2006 to 2010 over Cote d’ivoire, Cameroon and Ghana. These chains of victory made the Pharaohs of Egypt unique in Africa not only being the first winners but the highest winner of the tournament.
Last year Zambia trashed Ivory Coast in a penalty shootout, making the country to win 2012 contest. The 2013 AFCON has begun. Should we also watch out for the underdog to lift the trophy? In trailing the blaze of the glory brought to Africa by the game, blue sharks of Cape Verde Island is making their debut appearance in the AFCON. We should watch out and see how the Cape Verde players will perform as they will be battling South Africa, Morocco and Angola at the group stages. But who wins the tournament this time around?
Ekene, 200-Level Optometry, IMSU
