This document provides information about the history and details of the 2022 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) soccer tournament. It discusses the origins of AFCON in 1957 and how it grew over time. The COVID-19 pandemic caused the 2021 tournament to be postponed to 2022. Safety precautions are being taken at the 2022 event due to the pandemic. Nicknames are also provided for some of the national soccer teams participating in AFCON.

1. AFCON 2021: History, Fixtures, Groups
and Kick-Off Time for The 2022
Tournament

2. Brief History of AFCON – and Its Historic Significance
The history of the African Cup of Nations or AFCON dated to June
1956, when the third FIFA congress in Lisbon proposed the creation
of the confederation of African Football. Immediately after this
announcement, the first Cup of Nations was held in Khartoum,
Sudan. This watershed event made football the favourite sport of
millions of people in the outskirts of this African region. It
brought to the limelight the love for this sport in the hearts of
indigenous Africans.
Sudan, Ethiopia, South Africa, and Egypt became the first counties
to set up the Cup of Nations. Later on, the discriminatory and
apartheid policies of South Africa led to its disqualification.
In the beginning, only two matches were played. The first is
between Egypt and Sudan, while the second is between Ethiopia and
South Africa. Ethiopia entered the finals without playing any game
due to South Africa’s qualification. The first-ever final of AFCON
was arranged between Egypt and Ethiopia.
In a groundbreaking event, Egypt won the first-ever AFCON and made
history. As the years when by, the teams grew in number, and by
1961, the number of teams participating in the African Cup of
Nations grew to nine.
The AFCON 2021 will commence from January 9, with the final taking
place on February 6. This delay in AFCON is a direct result of the
rapid spread of the Corona Virus Pandemic, which disturbed the

3. Political History of the African Cup of Nations
The first tournament held in 1957 was established during
the decolonisation period and represented the ideals of
unity and cooperation. In the first decade, AFCON aspired
to a pan-African vision. The historian Peter Alegi termed
the first tournament a Vehicle for political ideology.
The new opportunities created by AFCON were embraced and
accepted by most newly formed countries. One example where
the ideals of unity and acceptance were tested was during
the apartheid in South Africa. When South Africa chose to
select only white players for its team, the CAF planned it
from AFCON, and the team couldn’t play any of the matches
until 1994.
This decision profoundly represents the ideal of CAF – and
the fight for the rights of black Africans. Moreover, the
newly created countries came together to advance what was
seen as a moral cause. It has been seen over the years that
CAF has turned out to be non-political and neutral sports,
fighting for the rights and freedom of black Africans.
Along with the political contributions of AFCON,
the tournament is also carrying out important
social work; the President of AFCON Yidnekatchew Tessema, in
his speech during 1974, said that “football is carrying out

4. Effects of COVID-19 Pandemic on AFCON
The Confederation of African Football officially postponed the
African Cup of Nations 2021 due to the widespread Corona Virus
pandemic in the African region. The whole tournament was delayed
for a year, but sportsman spirit couldn’t stop it from happening
this year.
Despite the threats of the upcoming Omicron variant, African
football chief Patrice Motsepe said that the African Cup of
Nations would go as planned despite the threat posed by the new
virus.
Although in an environment of enormous challenges due to the
surge of Covid-19, the CAF has given the green light to AFCON.
This decision has been applauded by millions of fans of AFCON
who have long waited for this pandemic to end and enjoy sports
at its best.
But the dangers and safety precautions have been kept in mind
while arranging the tournament for 2022. With travel
restrictions, players might be forced into a mandatory
quarantine period. Moreover, they will also be asked to display
vaccination cards and avoid unnecessary gatherings.
Moreover, the CAF has limited the stadium capacities due to the
Covid-19 pandemic. Stadiums will have their ability capped at
80% for the host matches while 60% for the rest.

5. Nicknames of AFCON Teams
1. Burkina Faso – The Stallions
2. Cameroon – Indomitable Lions
3. Ethiopia – Walias
4. Cape Verde – Blue Sharks
5. Malawi – The Flames
6. Guinea – Syli National
7. Senegal – Teranga Lions
8. Comoros – The Coelacanths
9. Zimbabwe – The Warriors
10. Gabon – The Panthers
11. Morocco – Atlas Lion
12. Ghana – Black Stars

6. Conclusion
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