CAN 2021 : The lessons of qualifiers

With the exception of Benin or Sierra Leone, whose fate is postponed, the table of countries qualified for the next big continental round ball mass is complete. A panoramic glance at the list of 23 elected, informs us that the cup seems full. More, to look at it closely, we note significant absences. Those of three great nations, former African champions : the Democratic Republic of Congo, DRC (1968 and 1974), from South Africa (1996) and Zambia (2012). Without forgetting Congo Brazzaville (1972). More, also countries whose weight of their football speaks for them, and Togo, participation in the World Cup (2006), Angola, participation in the World Cup (2006). We don't lose sight of Libya, finalist in 1982 and winner of CHAN 2014, which crumbles with the political crisis in which it is mired.

Follows the lot of countries present at the last CAN in Egypt and which miss the call of the country of the Indomitable Lions. Starting with the big island, Madagascar, a real attraction of the competition in the land of the Pharaohs with its refreshing and attractive football which has won over more than one, big victim of the last two days of the playoffs. Ensuite, les newcomers, Tanzania and Burundi, who were unable to renew their lease. Finally, Uganda, finalist in 1978 in Ghana, present in 2019 and who will not be in Cameroon.

The DRC-South Africa-Zambia trio polarizes attention, because we are dealing with three countries with a football tradition, the talent, regularity, of structures and infrastructure (AFS). So, the basic question we ask ourselves, it is to know what asset is necessary to ensure a qualification ? We can launch into conjectures on conjectures, we end up losing certainties when analyzing the complex realities of African football and which give regular countries a certain respectability. So, Inviting yourself to the big leagues of the continent is not just a game of poker, or by some rhetoric about top-level football . Above all, you have to work hard continuously on football, but also on its contingencies. All in a humility of every moment. Any other approach leads you to undergo what should be called, the hard law of African football.

Ouorou-roasted Babero