Fifty years after last hosting the Africa Cup of Nations, Cameroon kicks off the continental showpiece on Sunday targeting the sixth title while hoping the spectre of the coronavirus does not overshadow the tournament. The 33rd Cup of Nations was then postponed last year because of the pandemic. This time it does go ahead, and Cameroon coach Toni Conceicao is well aware of the pressure on his side. Jihadist raiders also pose a problem in the north, at least beyond the city of Garoua where Salah's Egypt and Nigeria will play group games. Cameroon, though, is football mad and many fans will be desperate to attend games in a country that has only hosted the Cup of Nations once before, in 1972 when there were just eight participants.

Source: The Nation January 09, 2022 13:14 UTC