What was, undoubtedly, the greatest Africa Cup of Nations in history concluded in Ivory Coast on 11 February, with the hosts beating Nigeria in the fi nal. Unfortunately, our Bafana Bafana fell short at the semifi nal hurdle, but that didn’t detract from the tournament’s overall success, which we acknowledge in this edition. The usage of the video assistance referee at the event was very exemplary, for instance.
Then we look at the historic Totalsports Two Oceans marathon, where the sensational Gerda Steyn will be looking to extend her winning streak after her record-breaking victory last year.
Herman Gibbs zooms in on the Absa Cape Epic, which celebrates its 20 th anniversary
We list some of the biggest world sporting events taking place between April and June this year.
This Untamed African Mountain Bike Race is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year. In celebration of this milestone, we look at the #SheUntamed initiative, which will assemble 20 all-women teams as part of Team Absa #SheUntamed 20for20.
Dubbed the world’s most beautiful marathon, the historic Totalsports Two Oceans ultra-marathon promises to deliver another spectacle in all categories this year.
this year. In recognition of this milestone, it will, for the fi rst time, have 20 all-women teams. Read all about the #SheUntamed 20for20.
Domestic and international football will be entering the business end in the next few weeks, and the spotlight will be fi rmly on relegation spots. Will Moroka Swallows survive the shenanigans that have attracted negative headlines of late? And can Bafana striker Lyle Foster and his Burnley beat the drop in the English Premiership?
Enjoy the read!
Sports editor, Sowetan Nkareng Matshe
We chat with one of South Africa’s leading jockeys about the things that have kept him at the top of his sport for decades.
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The Absa Cape Epic, often called the Untamed African Mountain Bike Race, is celebrating its 20 th anniversary. By HERMAN GIBBS
The physically gruelling and mentally demanding mountain bike multistage race in South Africa’s Western Cape region will be held from 17 to 24 March.
Riders will traverse high mountains, fertile valleys and plains, starting with the prologue in Lourensford Wine Estate, Somerset West, and ending, seven stages later, with the grand finale at the University of Stellenbosch.
As the iconic event gains momentum, Absa has intensified its efforts to promote women’s participation through its enduring #SheUntamed initiative.
The initiative reflects Absa’s unwavering commitment to empowering and supporting women, fostering inclusivity and breaking down barriers within the cycling realm.
The 2024 race marks the 20 th anniversary of the Cape Epic, and in celebration of this milestone, the #SheUntamed initiative will scale new heights. The bank has assembled 20 all-women teams as part of Team Absa #SheUntamed 20for20. This commitment will ensure that 50 per cent of the team comprises women of colour, constituting just over a third of the Team Absa peloton. This commitment extends to the Epic Trippers programme with an ongoing all-women Session 1.
RIDERS WILL TRAVERSE HIGH MOUNTAINS, FERTILE VALLEYS AND PLAINS, STARTING WITH THE PROLOGUE IN LOURENSFORD WINE ESTATE, SOMERSET WEST, AND ENDING, SEVEN STAGES LATER, WITH THE GRAND FINALE AT THE UNIVERSITY OF STELLENBOSCH.
Tina Venter, Absa executive for marketing operations, says: “The #SheUntamed initiative is a testament to Absa’s commitment to fostering diversity and inclusion in the world of cycling and being an active force for good.
“We are proud to announce the formation of these 20 teams, a significant step towards driving great participation of women in the sport. This affirms the bank’s mission of empowering Africa’s tomorrow, together, one story at a time.”
1. Only official Absa Cape Epic tents are allowed in race village areas.
2. All vehicles must be out of the race village by 9am on days the race is moving to the next venue.
3. On move days, the mobile home drivers only leave the race village after the last riders have set off.
4. No mobile home toilet canisters can be emptied in the race village other than where the service is provided. There will be toilets in the mobile home park; try using these instead of those in the mobile home.
5. No fires will be allowed in the mobile home park. No braais, barbecuing or bonfires when riders are enjoying free time.
6. Four water points feature on the route most days – three are full-service water points, and one is a strategically placed hydro point. The location of these is marked on your route profile stickers.
7. Riders requiring medical assistance should report to the medical team located in the blue and white Mediclinic tent.
8. Along the route, the Neutral Tech Zones will be manned by experienced mechanics who will assist with repairs. A selection of parts and spare tyres will be available. Ensure you have a credit card because spares and repairs must be paid for.
9. The first water point each day features a “strip stop” where you can place any unwanted cycling kit into a team bag (provided at the water point), label it, and collect it at the race village.
Source: Absa Cape Epic
The Absa Cape Epic has become a platform for stories of triumph, camaraderie and sheer determination as cyclists from diverse backgrounds unite to conquer the challenging terrains of the Western Cape, forging lifelong friendships and creating unforgettable memories.
Prologue time trial: Sunday 17 March
Distance: 26km
Start location: Lourensford Wine Estate, Somerset West
Finish location: Lourensford Wine Estate, Somerset West
The 2024 Absa Cape Epic begins its journey into the untamed with the prologue time trial on the manicured trails of Lourensford Wine Estate. This will pit teams against the clock on the steep climbs through vineyards and orchards, and on the superb single tracks along slopes. This time trial will provide seedings for Stage 1’s start batches.
Stage 1: Monday 18 March
Distance: 90km
Start location: Saronsberg, Tulbagh
Finish location: Saronsberg, Tulbagh Fortune will favour the brave on this stage. Tulbagh is still an untamed mountain biking destination and offers new trails. There are four major climbs, but it’s not all challenges and climbing. The single tracks offer a welcome reward for uphill toils, as do established trails such as Assegaaibos and God’s Window. Cyclists are cautioned that the line between bravery and foolishness can be fi ne.
Stage 2: Tuesday 19 March
Distance: 93km
Start location: Saronsberg, Tulbagh
Finish location: Saronsberg, Tulbagh
The stage starts with a climb into the Witzenberg Valley, where unrelenting challenges will demand endurance and skill. There will be plenty of rocky trails that deny momentum and require mental as well as physical fortitude throughout. The single tracks will demand absolute focus.
Stage 3: Wednesday 20 March
Distance: 94km
Start location: Saronsberg, Tulbagh
Finish location: Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT), Wellington
1. There are various spectator points throughout the race at different intervals. You can see the riders at the start of the race and try to see riders cross the finish line at the end of each stage.
2. There are allocated parking areas for spectators. Marshals will direct you when you enter the locations.
3. The support village can be found at each stage location as close to the Absa Cape Epic race village as possible. These support villages are for service providers, such as masseuses and bike shops, and personal team supporters.
4. A support village manager will take all bookings for the event –all sites must be booked through him. Contact the logistics team for enquiries about sites in the Support Villages. Details on cape-epic.com
5. Food and beverage vendors are present at the finish line so you can purchase refreshments.
Source: Absa Cape Epic
At the start of this 94km stage, riders will depart the Tulbagh Valley for the CPUT Wellington Campus. Teams will contend with some classic Cape single track ahead of the Bainskloof Pass. Stage 3 is a mix of natural and man-made terrain with riders enjoying smooth roads at the foot of the mountain pass. Towards the end of the stage, the Wild Boar Trails introduce teams to Wellington on a route divided between asphalt and the untamed.
Stage 4: Thursday 21 March
Distance: 88km
Start location: CPUT Wellington
Finish location: CPUT Wellington
Stage 4, the Queen Stage (the toughest climbing stage of a multiday stage race) of the 2024 event, will demand every individual and team to rise to the challenges of the untamed. This stage will feature more metres of climbing than any stage in recent years. Once the dual tracks turn to single tracks, climbing becomes even steeper. Further out,
there are incredible descents too, with Cool Runnings, Cool Runnings Too, Brandslang Neck, Full Monty and Route 66 all adding excitement to the day.
Stage 5: Friday 22 March
Distance: 70km
Start location: CPUT Wellington
Finish location: CPUT Wellington
A mix of district roads and dual tracks starts this 70km stage in a thrilling loop through the Wild Boar Trails. Riders will hit the trails as they fl ow back-to-back along the slopes of the Limietberg and into the Doolhof Valley. The second half of the stage will take riders through Luislang, Happy Hog and a race into the rocky reaches of the Doolhof Valley. Wild and rocky at times and always untamed, it should be a faster stage.
Stage 6: Saturday 23 March
Distance: 87km
Start location: University of Stellenbosch, Stellenbosch
Finish location: University of Stellenbosch, Stellenbosch
The penultimate 87km stage allows for climbs aplenty across Rustenberg, Quoin Rock, Mauratie, Uitkyk, Knorrhoek and Morgenhof on the Simonsberg, the mountainous parts of the wine route. Riders will encounter single tracks uphill and down on many of the wine estates. The Ida’s Valley trails provide a penultimate treat, ahead of a fi nal test of riders’ steadfast resolve, on the Berg Pad, towards home.
Stage 7: Sunday 24 March
Distance: 65km
Start location: University of Stellenbosch, Stellenbosch
Finish location: University of Stellenbosch, Stellenbosch
Riders will set off for the fi nal 65km stage, knowing the conquest of the untamed is within reach.
The renowned MTO Forestry Trails in the Jonkershoek Valley make up a major part of the route.
A zigzag of climbs and descents follow, with Red Phoenix and Neverending Story completing the ride on the northern slopes before heading back to Coetzenburg for the fi nal fi nish line.
Dubbed the world’s most beautiful marathon, the historic Totalsports
Two Oceans ultra-marathon promises to deliver another spectacle in all categories this year, writes NKARENG MATSHE
Another thriller is expected at the 53rd Totalsports Two Oceans Marathon in April, with Gerda Steyn eyeing a fifth successive victory after her record-breaking exploits in the last edition.
Steyn sauntered home in 3:29.06 for a course record last year, defending her title for a fourth successive time following victories in 2018, 2019 and 2022 (no race was possible in either 2020 or 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic).
But the excellent runner, who similarly set a new mark at another ultra-marathon – the Comrades – a few months after triumphing in Cape Town, will this time face a stern challenge from fellow South African elite runner Irvette van Zyl.
Van Zyl has signalled her intention to be the main woman come race day on 13 April, after missing last year’s event due to injury. In January, she claimed the first local official race of 2024 – the Dischem half-marathon, held in Johannesburg.
“I know it’s early in the season and I’m looking forward to the rest of the year,” the 36-year-old van Zyl told the Sowetan newspaper after her win in Joburg. It came on the back of another impressive victory in the Soweto Marathon in November last year, where she was largely unchallenged for the last 12km.
However, Steyn, who turns 34 on 3 March, narrowly beat her in the 2022 Two Oceans, when van Zyl finished a close second in 3:30.31 to the former’s 3:29.45. How they race in the 56km race in April should set the tone for South Africa’s hopes for an elusive podium at the Paris Olympics in July.
Both women – who have secured places in Paris already – are in great form and, as they enter the twilight of their careers,
Local runners must qualify in official Athletics SA events and submit their results to enter the Two Oceans. The deadline for this year’s submission is 6 March.
*Source:twooceansmarathon.org.za
they will aim to stamp their mark on what should be another competitive field in Cape Town.
“I’m picking up my training because of the two back-to-back marathons I did in November and the beginning of December, four weeks apart. I had given my body time to recover and just started training slowly. It’s always rusty starting the first race, but it’s good starting on a high,” van Zyl said.
Steyn had a stellar 2023, which also saw her set a new mark for the national record in the marathon when she ran 2:24.03 in Valencia in December. She began the year by trekking to Dubai to prepare for the Two Oceans.
The men’s field is again expected to be extremely competitive this year. Zimbabwean Givemore Mudzinganyama pipped South African Nedbank runner Dan Matshailwe to the finish last year, however, history tells us to brace for a different winner this year, as has been the case for the past 20 years.
Unlike the women’s category, which has had numerous back-to-back winners, such as Steyn, Caroline Wostmann (2015 and 2016) and Olesya Nurgalieva (2010 and 2011), the men have produced a different winner in each of the past 16 editions.
Mudzinganyama’s compatriot Marco Mambo was the last man to defend his Two Oceans title in 2005.
Sadly, Mbuleli Mathanga will not be around to defend his half-marathon title following his tragic passing last year, but that field is also highly competitive. Veteran Elroy Gelant will look to reclaim victory as his last was in 2019.
• The Two Oceans Marathon weekend takes place from 12 to 14 April, starting with the trail and fun runs on the 12th, the 56km ultra-marathon on the 13th, and the half-marathon on the 14th.
• The event was first held in 1970, as a men-only event. The first winner was Dirkie Steyn in 3:55.50. From 1975, women were allowed to participate, and Ulla Paul won in 5:14.51.
• Runners who complete the ultra-, trail or half-marathon 10 times are awarded a blue number. This year, 216 hopefuls are chasing the blue number.
• Over 2 150 international participants have entered this year’s event.
• 14 000 runners are expected to partake in the 56km ultra-marathon.
• 18 000 people have registered for the half-marathon, making it one of the most popular in the country. This is the 25th year the half-marathon takes place.
• Sharon Eldrige and Lucille Damon are the most decorated woman runners at the event, having each acquired 31 medals for the ultra-marathon.
• Organisers estimate the event generates over R670-million for the City of Cape Town.
• The winners in the women and men category each get R250 000.
• The cut-off time for the half-marathon is 3:30 and 7:30 for the ultra.
*Source: twooceansmarathon.org.za
HERMAN GIBBS catches up with the leading Cape-based jockey who has been riding the crest of the wave for the past decade, during which time he has always enjoyed a national top-10 ranking
One of South Africa’s leading jockeys, Grant van Niekerk, didn’t make it into the winner’s enclosure at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth at the 2024 WSB Cape Town Met, the blue riband event of South African horse racing because his ride Mucho Dinero was a late Met scratching.
However, van Niekerk, who has been going full out this season to top Cape Town’s Jockey Log, rode a superb race to win the country’s richest race, the R7.5-million Cape Racing Gold Rush, on Rapidash, on the same card.
It was not the only time the 32-year-old van Niekerk forced bettors to sit up and take notice at the country’s oldest racecourse. He has won many Grade 1 races there, including The Sun Met 2018. He won on board Oh Susanna, owner-bred by Gaynor Rupert, and the first three-year-old filly to win this famous race for over 100 years.
The come-from-behind win, which many racegoers will remember for van Niekerk’s early celebration ahead of the fi nishing line, will forever count among his most famous wins.
Mark van Deventer, a leading South African horse racing expert and analyst, says: “Grant van Niekerk is naturally gifted, and horses just run for him. He’s a confi dent rider. I’ve seen him win remarkable races on tricky horses that less talented jockeys couldn’t get into the placings.”
What is a typical day when training?
I get up early to be on time for training, except on race days. Training is in Philippi, where the facilities are excellent.
How much time do you spend training?
Training sessions are usually between 6am and 10.30am. The trainers decide on the programme, and we work the horses on different tracks. Any of the four trainers will engage me, but I am the stable jockey for Snaith Racing. I also have an exercise routine that emphasises cardio.
Since diets are so important for jockeys to maintain weight, what do you eat?
Before training it’s usually smoothies or a banana. I never have a big breakfast, but I follow a basic diet. I am a natural lightweight and I like to keep my weight at 53kg. My boss, Justin Snaith, is happy with that weight.
Are you a brand ambassador or have sponsors?
Some of the horses in the Snaith stable are owned by Nick Jonsson, the CEO of Jonsson Workwear – my sponsor – I’m grateful for that sponsorship. Over the years, I have had a few sponsors.
What car do you drive?
I drive a Volkswagen Amarok bakkie, which is suitable for the terrain around the training centres.
Advice to up-and-coming jockeys and youngsters thinking about becoming jockeys?
Be prepared to work hard and stay committed. Look out for opportunities to help your career flourish. Stay true to the people who are supporting you in the racing industry.
Tell us about your family.
I have a daughter, Kiara, and a son, Aidan. I come from a family of five siblings, all of us have different occupations. We are all very close to our mom, who has been supportive throughout my career. My dad is my role model. He is old school with good values.
What are your race day traditions, and do you have superstitions?
I don’t have traditions because I ride on instinct. I have a competitive streak and don’t have superstitions.
Over the past decade, the sport of fly fishing has witnessed a steady surge in popularity throughout South Africa. Internationally, its growth traces back to the iconic film, A River Runs Through It, featuring Brad Pitt, which catalysed its evolution into the purest form of angling with a hook and line.
One of the distinctive facets of fly fishing lies in the inherent competition with oneself and nature.
Unlike traditional fishing methods, fly anglers navigate the waters in pursuit of the artistry involved, making it a personal journey of skill, precision and immersion in the environment.
Fly fishing transcends beyond the mere act of catching fish; it serves as a gateway to some of the most unique and spectacular locations within any country. A fundamental rule of thumb is that fewer people equate to more fish, emphasising the allure of remote areas devoid of human inhabitants.
Discovering the wild often leads to the discovery of fish. In fly fishing, the use of meticulously crafted imitations of live insects or fish submerged below the surface is an art form in itself. The angler’s touch, skill and knowledge come into play as they skilfully mimic the nuances of natural life, enticing fish to engage in the thrilling fight.
Flies come in various sizes and shapes, ranging from minuscule imitations resembling the head of a matchstick to larger baitfish surpassing the size of one’s hand. The objective is to mimic the hatch, aiming to offer fish a lure that closely resembles their natural food source.
South Africa boasts a diverse array of fly-fishing opportunities, ranging from pursuing small trout in the highlands of the Drakensberg to indigenous yellows in the Vaal/Orange River system and encountering ferocious tigerfish in waters surrounded by the majestic Big Five game. Many of South Africa’s freshwater fly-fishing sites are under private ownership, providing accommodation options. Additionally, we’re fortunate to have sections of water safeguarded by communities and reserves, allowing access through day tickets. Most fly-fishing locations adhere to catch-and-release practices, with funds collected often contributing to conservation and water management initiatives.
With a stable climate that accommodates fly-fishing enthusiasts year-round, South Africa provides a variety of species to pursue, each flourishing during specific times of the year. For those looking to delve into the sport, a prudent investment is to engage with a comprehensive guiding company such as X-Factor Angling. Such companies ensure access to prime locations at optimal times, armed with the right tackle for the potential catch of a lifetime.
Angling in South Africa offers accessibility to all, making it an ideal activity to enjoy with your children, significant other or friends. X-Factor
Dullstroom in Mpumalanga and Nottingham Road in KwaZulu-Natal are renowned for their exceptional fly fishing. These towns embrace and embody the serene essence of the sport.
Angling extends its offerings beyond traditional angling experiences. Its six-night Orange River trip, straddling South Africa and Namibia, stands out as a captivating adventure amid breathtaking scenery, where the abundance of fish imparts a sense of untouched paradise.
For those looking to learn or refine their fly-fishing skills, X-Factor Angling provides a welcoming environment at its Trout Farm in Edenvale. This accessible fishery offers an ideal setting for beginners and experienced anglers alike, embodying the essence of simplicity and skill development.
The rise of fly fishing in South Africa is not just a trend, but a pursuit marked by purity, skill, and a profound connection with the natural world. As anglers embark on their journeys with a fly rod in hand, the allure of untouched paradises and the thrill of a personalised, nature-infused pursuit await them.
WITH A STABLE CLIMATE THAT ACCOMMODATES FLY-FISHING ENTHUSIASTS YEAR-ROUND, SOUTH AFRICA PROVIDES A VARIETY OF SPECIES TO PURSUE, EACH FLOURISHING DURING SPECIFIC TIMES OF THE YEAR.
Acrisis that has been brewing for some time reached full-blown proportions in December 2023 when Moroka Swallows could not fulfil two Premier Soccer League fixtures. In probably a first in the domestic league, the Birds could not pitch for their matches against Mamelodi Sundowns, set for 27 December, and Golden Arrows, a week later, due to a salary crisis that beset the team.
Reports of Swallows’ management struggling to meet financial obligations date back more than two years. While then, the simmering chaos was always kept under wraps, this time, they couldn’t keep the lid closed on what insiders describe as rampant dysfunctionality.
Coach Steve Komphela hinted at a looming crisis following Swallows’ defeat to Orlando Pirates on 5 December, saying he had to convince reluctant players to pitch for the match.
But more than a week later, the players downed tools altogether, apparently refusing to honour the Sundowns match, prompting the PSL to charge Swallows and then order them to forfeit the six points from the missed fixtures.
How did Swallows find themselves in this situation? Well, it seems corporate governance
Moroka Swallows became the first-ever football team in South Africa to register as a public company in 1971.
*Source: Moroka Swallows Football Club
has long gone out the window at the club’s Dobsonville Stadium offices.
Players have murmured about basics –such as refreshments when travelling to away matches – not being met. The SA Football Players’ Union, to which disgruntled players ran with their grievances, revealed that defender Wandisile Letlabika had to pay for his surgery and medication despite having been injured on club duty.
It is a circus that has gone on for so long, but at the time of writing, the PSL top brass had yet to take any stern action, except for
In the English Premiership, relegation is not a foregone conclusion because as many as six teams are in the mix to occupy the last three spots in the 20-team league. Those spots were, however, unsurprisingly occupied by promoted teams – Sheffield United, Burnley and Luton Town – at the time of writing.
It speaks of the skewed nature of the EPL, where newcomers struggle to adjust and are almost always guaranteed a fight for survival.
South African striker Lyle Foster opted to miss the Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast, citing mental health issues, but also in a bid to help his Burnley stave off the dreaded drop. At the halfway mark, Vincent Kompany’s team had collected a mere 12 points and were still far off Everton, which occupied the safe 17th position despite being docked points.
History tells us 35 points is what you require to survive, that would mean Sheffield, Burnley and Luton must add over 20 points each to their current tallies if they are to make it –a near-impossible ask.
fining the Birds R400 000 and ordering that they forfeit six points.
Swallows’ predicament can only mean relegation is a huge possibility, especially as their bumbling management took the shock stance of attempting to dismiss over 20 players who had allegedly gone on strike.
Perhaps the only saving grace for the Birds is that Cape Town Spurs have almost certainly confirmed they could occupy the automatic relegation spot after a disastrous start to the season, losing 14 of their first 16 PSL games.
COACH STEVE KOMPHELA HINTED AT A LOOMING CRISIS
FOLLOWING SWALLOWS’ DEFEAT TO ORLANDO PIRATES ON 5 DECEMBER, SAYING HE HAD TO CONVINCE RELUCTANT PLAYERS TO PITCH FOR THE MATCH.
Entertaining. Exhilarating. Eye-catching. The Total Energies Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) staged in the Ivory Coast at the start of this year has been hailed as one of the best continental tournaments, drawing plaudits from even the most sceptical observers.
From a glittering opening ceremony in Abidjan on 13 January, the event has had a huge positive spinoff on a continent that, for too long, has been known for negativity, sadness and tears.
On the field, the football has been splendid, and matches have produced unexpected returns as minnows, such as Mauritania and Namibia, not only registered historic maiden wins at this level, but also reached the knockout phases for the first time.
Giants and former winners, such as Ghana, Algeria and Tunisia, were sent packing after the first round, their myriad of stars shellshocked at the high level of competition they faced from groups they expected to beat easily.
The competition was not without gremlins, however. But, these were mainly limited to complaints about sweltering weather conditions, forcing organisers to implement a mandatory water break, especially for games that kicked off at 2pm (4pm SA time).
But arguably the biggest plus for the Afcon tournament was the use of the video assistant referee (VAR), usually a controversial system that raises the ire of fans and coaches alike elsewhere in world football.
There were no controversies for the entire first round, and decisions referred to VAR produced an agreeable outcome most of the time. How those who bemoan the way the system is misused in the English Premiership wish they could relate.
It would be remiss not to credit Patrice Motsepe, president of the Confederation of African Football (CAF), for a job well done on putting Afcon back on world football’s map.
The South African billionaire inherited a largely broken, dysfunctional organisation when he took over as CAF president three years ago with a TV rights deal in such shambles that no African broadcaster was allowed to show continental games.
Corporates were loath to be associated with anything CAF, fearing not only the little return on investment, but also the poor publicity that was associated with the organisation.
Enter Motsepe, the shrewd businessman. Under his leadership, CAF reported a doubling of sponsors from the last Afcon edition in Cameroon, from just seven corporates to a now impressive seventeen on board.
CAF is also making a killing on TV rights revenue. There were 62 media partners in Cameroon, but the number has swelled
HAS
to 110, with far-flung markets such as South America getting to watch the competition for the first time.
Winners of this year’s edition received US$7-million, a staggering 40 per cent increase from the last edition.
Sorting out off-the-field matters has had a direct impact on the field, as players have elevated their level, making Afcon very competitive and entertaining (there were only two goalless draws in the first round, both in Bafana’s Group E).
No longer can the tournament be seen as an irritant by European teams that begrudgingly release their players to participate.
Instead, at this rate players will be eager not to miss it. Well done, Patrice and the CAF team!
AS PLAYERS HAVE ELEVATED THEIR LEVEL, MAKING AFCON VERY COMPETITIVE AND ENTERTAINING.
