The much-anticipated event for football enthusiasts kicks off this Saturday in Côte d’Ivoire. Always outspoken, Samuel Eto’o has spoken his mind about the CAN 2023, sparking numerous reactions worldwide.
Here we are, the long-awaited CAN 2023 is set to begin this Saturday at 8:00 PM UTC at the Ebimpé Stadium in Abidjan between the host country, Côte d’Ivoire, and Guinea-Bissau. A few hours before the grand opening match, reactions continue to pour in from all directions regarding the organization of this edition. After the straightforward remarks from the CAF president, Patrice Motsepe, praising the Ivorian Football Federation (FIF) and the Ivorian government for the exceptional organization surrounding the 34th edition of the Africa Cup of Nations, Samuel Eto’o, the president of Fecafoot, has weighed in.
“The Ivorians are truly ingenious”
If some in Cameroon think that Côte d’Ivoire is not doing anything interesting and that we have to wait until the end of the competition to draw conclusions about this AFCON 2024, the former Indomitable Lion believes that there is no debate about the organization of Côte d’Ivoire. In a discussion with writer Louis-César Bancé in Abidjan, relayed by the media, Samuel Eto’o even speaks of a lesson that the Ivorians are giving to Africa and the entire world.
“Côte d’Ivoire will teach the entire world in terms of organization and know-how,” began the president of the Cameroonian Football Federation. “Everything is magnificent in Côte d’Ivoire. The Ivorians are truly ingenious! One must have the humility to say this considering what I know being in the sacred wood. Côte d’Ivoire will teach the entire world in terms of organization and know-how. She is not wrong when she says that she will offer the most beautiful AFCON of all time. Even FIFA, the organizer of the World Cup, will have to take notes…” Eto’o, who is effusive about Ivorian organization, emphasized.
Ivory Coast and its colossal means
It must be said, Côte d’Ivoire is currently showcasing a masterclass with AFCON 2023. Known as a very festive country where the joy of living is high, the land of the Elephants has spared no effort to set up a fantastic organization. Apart from a few minor hiccups, as is the case in any human endeavor, almost all on-site reviews speak of an unprecedented organization on the African continent.
With nearly one and a half billion dollars spent (almost 868 billion FCFA) for the organization of this year’s AFCON, Ivorians have, for some, tried to reproduce a remake of the 2022 World Cup played in Qatar. With a AFCON village formerly criticized by some teams now gaining unanimous approval and the pitches reserved for the competition, everything is moving in the same direction.
Ivorians in excitement
Currently in Didier Drogba’s country, excitement is palpable. Whether it’s the supporters arriving to support their team or the locals, it’s a festive atmosphere. Witnessing the 2021 AFCON organized by his Cameroon, Samuel Eto’o shows great elegance in praising Côte d’Ivoire despite the rivalry between the two nations. For now, everything is going well, and we hope to have a marvelous AFCON, never before organized on the African continent for the beauty of the competition.
If all goes well this year, it would mark the beginning of a new era in Africa where CAF is trying as best as possible to set up organizations that can compete with those in Europe, America, or Asia. Join us at 8:00 PM for the start of the most beautiful and grand competition of nations on the African continent.
What do you think of Samuel Eto’o’s statement?
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