Cameroon eagerly awaited their chance to host the African Cup of Nations, 50 years after they last hosted. But, beyond the notorious enthusiasm in the streets, the first days of the tournament were marked by matches without much emotion and scenarios with almost no spectators. Although the trend shows signs of change.
In the streets of Yaoundé, the African Cup of Nations is omnipresent. The flags of the 24 participants adorn routes, bars and buildings, in line with the hospitality of the Cameroonians, who look proud to welcome foreign visitors. The works of the stadiums also occupy an important place in the billboards on public roads, as well as the figure of the almighty president Paul Biya, 88 years old and in office since 1982.
The holding of the CAN was longed for by the Cameroonians, who had hosted the event for the last time in 1972. An anxiety fueled by two postponements that lengthened the wait: the country was supposed to receive the 2019 event, but it was withdrawn for not having completed the necessary infrastructure works on time; Even so, it was awarded the 2021 one, which was rescheduled for the beginning of 2022 due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
However, the general enthusiasm has collided with two major obstacles in the first week: the image of imposing semi-empty stadiums and the lack of goals, both facts that are beginning to show signs of going awry.
Strict protocols and high prices, behind the absence of public
Cameroon is a country passionate about football and, above all, about its national team, the ‘Indomitable Lions’. That is why it was not surprising to see an inaugural ceremony -of a high aesthetic bill- with strong accompaniment from the public and a lot of color and fervor in the stands.
Of course it was a gala day, under the watchful eye of Biya, the president of the African Football Confederation (CAF), Patrice Motsepe; and the FIFA president, Gianni Infantino, disapproved by a large part of those attending the opening match, in rejection of the attempts by the global soccer boss to cancel CAN 2021.
Cameroon beat Burkina Faso 2-1 in the first game and the party was complete. But a handful of minutes after the final ‘whistle’, the stands emptied and gave way to the most repeated postcard of the first date of the group stage: an empty stadium, even though the rules imposed by the CAF allow up to 80 % attendance in the matches of Cameroon and up to 60% attendance in the games of the other teams.
Among the reasons, the strict health protocol stands out, which requires vaccination and a negative Covid-19 test to enter the stages (72 hours prior if it is PCR and 24 if it is antigen). The measure collides with the prevailing skepticism among Cameroonians, who mostly refuse immunization: in the country, only 2.5% of citizens have the complete guideline, according to the latest known official figures.
The contrast is with the so-called ‘fan zones’ enabled in the cities for the gathering of fans. These spaces, where protocols do not apply, have been full of supporters to watch the games.
Another reason is the price of tickets, which start at 3,000 CFA francs (about 4.5 euros) and rise to 8,000 (12 euros), figures that will rise in the most decisive instances. These are too high values for citizens of a country that has a minimum wage of around 45,000 CFA francs (about 68 euros).
Aware that the image of empty stadiums harms the passionate and united message built by the Government, the national authorities have made several calls for people to accompany the meetings. And they adopted a particular measure: from Monday, January 17 to February 4, school hours will be extended from 7:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., while professional activities will take place from 7:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. release people to attend the stadiums, although it is presumed insufficient.
For their part, regional and local governments have also begun to implement actions to facilitate the transport of people to the stadiums. The first results began to be seen in the meetings of the second date, which showed a better turnout.
The drought of goals marked the first date of the tournament
Just 12 goals scored in the first 12 games. That was the balance of the first date of the group stage of the CAN in Cameroon, a poor balance compared to other starts of the tournament.
Despite pressure from European clubs, the best African players arrived in the country: the Egyptian Mohamed Salah, the Senegalese Sadio Mané, the Algerian Riyad Mahrez, the Gabonese Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and the Ivorian Sébastien Haller, among others. But the nets didn’t swell up to those stars, at least in the opening round. Nor was the football level of the teams high.
This mini-crisis can be understood from several angles: on the one hand, it is common for tournaments to start slowly, while teams adapt to the environment, weather and others.
On the other hand, for those selected with the majority of players in European football, the preparation time prior to the tournament was very short, since the institutions received permission from FIFA to release their elements only as of January 3. If we add to this that almost all the templates have suffered from Covid-19 infections in their ranks, the set-up has been chaotic.
But, again, there are positive signs to reverse the situation: on the second date, until Nigeria 3-1 Sudan, they had scored 17 goals in 7 games.
On the field, Cameroon roars, the favorites do not dazzle and a referee stars in a confusing episode
Strictly sporting, for the hosts the tournament is running smoothly. Cameroon recorded two victories in their first appearances, with a hard-fought 2-1 win over Burkina Faso and a 4-1 thrashing of Ethiopia. The captain of the ‘Indomitable Lions’, Vincent Aboubakar, scored 4 goals and forms a fearsome duo with Karl Toko-Ekambi, who scored the remaining 2 goals.
Thus, the hopes of the locals to get their sixth CAN grow. Even more so because the big favorites have not yet shown credentials: the current champion and main contender Algeria could not get past 0-0 against Sierra Leone; Senegal, full of stars, although affected by the Covid-19, has 4 points but its performances are very poor; Egypt opened with defeat, offensive anemia and low level of Salah. And teams like Morocco or the Ivory Coast have complied, but without shining. On the other hand, groups like Nigeria or Gabon, who arrived immersed in problems, started on a firm footing.
But the most repeated image of the first date of the contest was that of a referee, Zambian Janny Sikazwe, the protagonist of a confusing and controversial episode in Mali’s 1-0 victory over Tunisia.
The judge, who knew how to direct the final of the CAN 2017 and was a World Cup player in Russia 2018, ended the match at 85 minutes. When they pointed out his mistake, he resumed the game, but only to finish it early again at 89’50”, this time without giving up. No injury time in a match that had had two penalties, one sending off and six substitution windows.
Although there was an attempt to make up some of the time, Tunisia refused to return to the field of play and chose to lodge a complaint with CAF, which was dismissed.
The unofficial explanation about the episode was that the referee had suffered disorientation as a result of heat stroke, a version that has not been confirmed. Meanwhile, his continuity in the tournament is in question.
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