Enjoy Afcon with a keen eye on the next tournament

The Africa Cup of Nations finally kicks off tomorrow in Cameroon after a delay occasioned by the devastating global coronavirus pandemic.

Africa’s biggest football competition will also be the first major football tournament in 2022. The start of the tournament has not been without its own problems as some players have been forced out after testing positive for Covid-19 while others are injured. 

However, what is more unfortunate is that some professional clubs in other continents have failed to release their African players for the showpiece. How unfortunate for such a continent that has constantly produced some of the world’s most prominent talent in football?

Many coaches like Liverpool’s Jurgen Klopp have also come under attack after calling the Nations Cup ‘a small tournament in Africa’ although he later apologised and said his comments were taken out of context.

So as the tournament gets underway, the fans and organisers will be happy that at least action will be on the field and not off like it has been prior to the competition.

The 24 teams who will be competing once again, have a chance to show who is the best in Africa and have the bragging rights before the next action.

However, as fans prepare to cheer their sides to glory, back home there are still questions as to how our own Harambee Stars failed to qualify yet there was a high chance to be part of the 24-team expanded tournament.

While Harambee Stars qualified for the 2019 tournament held in Egypt, it is now time to reflect on what could have happened even as Kenyan fans pick their favourite sides, considering only Sudan and Ethiopia will be flying East Africa’s flag in the competition.

While the Football Kenya Federation Caretaker Committee continues to streamline local football, the start of the Nations Cup should be an eye-opener as to the task ahead of them.

Kenyans are not happy to “be on hire” while they can support their own Harambee Stars at such major competitions.

While we enjoy the action in Cameroon, let us reflect on what best can be done to be in the next tournament. That can only happen if we start working towards it from now.

Just like in the 2019 edition, East African teams should work hard and qualify in numbers for next year’s continental showpiece in Ivory Coast. Kenya should take the lead and we are relying on the Caretaker Committee to roll up their sleeves. We should not be spectators once again.

Until then, may the best team win in Cameroon!