By Shivli Singh
As thrilling, unpredictable and full of cultural pride, the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) remains one of the most exciting tournaments the world has seen – but also one of the most underappreciated. If the rivalry is no different, with plenty of its rich history and emotion, rivaling those of the UEFA European Championship and Copa América, the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) appears to struggle to maintain the spotlight on the world stage and commercial parity. It has generated historical moments, heroes and cutthroat football since 1957. Outside Africa, however, the tournament is a secondary event instead of a top international event. Its marginalisation has been further compounded by a limited broadcast presence, scheduling conflicts with European club football and entrenched stereotypes of African football. Indeed, AFCON’s stages are the home of some of history’s greatest footballers: Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mané, Didier Drogba, Samuel Eto’o. But individual genius, too, hasn’t translated into the same global prestige for the tournament. Europe and South America make reference to the successes made during the past World Cup, yet Africa’s absence from the World Cup winners list still affects perceptions. At what level does AFCON insist that a World Cup victor from Africa be respected? A breakthrough on football’s most important stage could recalibrate narratives, lift pride in the continent and shake up the status of African football on the global stage. But the argument cannot be unchallenged by the critics who claim that AFCON should not have to wait for external validation nor should it have it at all. And apart from that, the tournament’s randomness, its fervent fan culture and its long-time participation in a national identity, is what already sets it apart. Whether underdog battles or heated rivalries there’s just one specific in-game experience in football: AFCON. Yet, when global football has to grapple with questions of inclusion and representation and global politics on the stage, the continued undervaluation of AFCON reflects the structural biases that drive it all. If the World Cup never goes to a single African country, the tournament is worth whatever it offers, the game’s real value, its sincerity, determination and cultural clout there and then that is something that should be revered just in its own terms whatever.