The much anticipated draws for the upcoming African Cup of Nations, AFCON 2021 have been done in Yaoundé at the Congress Center.
The glaring faces of the dignitaries present at the draws including CAF President, Patrice Motsepe, painted a feeling of satisfaction at the organization and technical set up of the event which went on hitch-free from start to finish.
Former Senegalese footballer, El Hadji Diouf at the draws praised Cameroon’s organization of the tournament and maintained that he had high hopes for the tournament as a whole and for his country Senegal, which he branded favorite for the cup as to him, no team would love to face ‘The Teranga Lions’
Ghanaian Football Icon, Asamoah Gyan was equally full of praises for the efforts put in place to host the African Cup of Nations, and hoped that the Black Stars of Ghana finally claim the trophy in Cameroon, after coming very close on several occasions.
The draws of the tournament were conducted, and Cameroon as the host will face Burkina Faso in the inaugural game of the competition at the Olembe Football Stadium. Other members of Group A are Ethiopia and Cape Verde.
Though the draws seem slightly favourable for the Indomitable Lions, many Cameroonians reacting on social media have played down Cameroon’s chances, saying the team at hand is very weak and unstable. Some have also questioned Cameroon’s chances given that a side such as Cape Verde have been a torn on the Indomitable Lions flesh judging from their most recent encounters.
Many have also laid in the argument of jinxing their chances by being the host nation, given that the last country which hosted the tournament and won it was Egypt, right back in 2006.
The hope however remains that Cameroon sails through from the criticisms, and surprise the country like was the case in 2017, where a highly weakened squad was able to build together an unbreakable team spirit which took them down all the way to the trophy.
