The long-awaited moment has arrived as the 2022 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) will get underway less than two hours. Hosts Cameroon and Burkina Faso will kick-off the 33rd edition of Africa’s flagship competition when they lock horns at the totally new Olembe Stadium in Cameroon capital Yaoundé on Sunday, 9 January 2022.
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Five-time African champions Cameroon are at home. And the indomitable Lions will be looking forward to a good start in front of their faithful supporters.
The Indomitable Lions, who have been preparing since the end of December, will start this competition with the desire to win their sixth AFCON title at home.
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Fifty years since hosting the continental showpiece in 1972, Cameroon are hoping for the ultimate this time round.
“It is for a new challenge with the Indomitable Lions. We will try to achieve our ambitions. We prepared well and now we are ready for the competition. Our opponent is not an easy team. But we have the strength and determination to make a good start.” Cameroon coach Antonio Conceiçao.
“On behalf of all Cameroonians, welcome to all the teams who will participate in this TotalEnergies AFCON. We will play hard to achieve a good competition. We are focused on our goal and prepared well for this competition.” Said Cameroon forward Vincent Aboubacar.
On the other side, the Stallions of Burkinabe have a mission to perform with high ambitions. The Stallions traveled to Cameroon with the firm intention of doing better than their best outing in 2013, when they narrowly lost the final to Nigeria.
Facing the hosts in the opening might be a tough start. But The Burkinabe look like a team with a mission that they will do everything to perform.
“We are facing the hosts which is difficult. But we have the means to achieve our objectives, and to go as far as possible in this competition. We will play with a young generation of talented players. Our first objective is to get past the group stage and our ultimate target is the title.” Said Sanou Firmen, Assistant coach of Burkina Faso.
“We have a good team. For me, it is a pleasure to be here. And I have the intention of playing at my best level and bringing what’s most expected of me.” Added Burkina Faso striker, Bertrand Traoré.