American-born singer Akon who has Senegalese parents talks his love for Africa and provides an advice to all the young people in the continent ahead of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) draw of which he is the host.
The 50-year old has been chosen by Confederation of African Football (CAF) to host the global event and he explained that his love for Africa came from his parents who raised them in Senegal after their birth in the UNited States of America.
“Well, I mean, I think it definitely started with my parents”, Akon told CAF media concerning his love for the continent.
“They were both born and raised in Senegal and then they made sure we were born in the States, but we were raised in Senegal. So shortly after birth, we were shipped back to Senegal in that culture, the culture, the environment was all embezzled within me when I went back to the States for School. And I just never really left, but I never really had always had the African identity. You know what I mean? It’s like you’re born someplace don’t make you someplace, but your blood is definitely where you come from and my blood is definitely 100% African.”
Read more : Gbobal music icon Akon to host AFCON 2023 draw
He went on talking about the AFCON draw itself and acknowledged that this is a great event as he reflects on Senegal’s loss to Algeria in 2019 in 2019 and their first-ever triumph in Cameroon over Egypt in 2021.
“This is amazing man and I think it’s gonna be more events like this that we gonna need to promote because this is what gives Africa the root and you can say the recognition especially on the entertainment side. Sports without a doubt, especially when it comes to football, but these are a lot of jewels that we actually have that we don’t market enough and I think situations like this and events like this are going to help us do that.
“Well, everybody has the hopes to win. When you looks at it us being the reigning champion I think it’s a long time is long overdue. Senegal, we always been heavily football related. I think we gotta go along way and create a lot more opportunities for ourselves.”
In addition, he sent a message to all young Africans who are dreaming to go above or are already there to comeback in the continent to invest what they have learned abroad as the future according to him, is here.
“Me leaving Africa has been painful I’m gonna lie to you. I prefer to live in Africa If I could. For those that want to leave and do things out of Africa, they’re actually going in the wrong direction because the future is here in Africa. So all of our talents, all of our ressources, ambitions should be right here in the continent. Of course if you go to Africa, I mean outside Africa bring whatever talent you have, whatever knowledge that you bring, whatever finances and invest it back home.”