The 34th edition of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) began with grand promises of being the best ever, a spectacle that would captivate fans worldwide. The opening ceremony and initial matches lived up to expectations, with thrilling encounters and stunning goals.

However, on day three, the narrative took an unexpected turn during the clash between defending champions Senegal and Gambia. The stadium’s audio system glitches disrupted the anthems, foreshadowing a more significant debacle.

Despite Senegal’s early lead, the unthinkable occurred – the match vanished from every television screen globally. A 15-minute blackout left fans frustrated and bewildered, tarnishing the viewing experience and casting a shadow on the prestigious tournament.

The blame appears to rest on the shoulders of the much-touted “historic media rights agreement” between CAF and New World TV, a fledgling Togolese audio-visual group. Entrusting broadcasting rights to a company with limited audience reach and less than a decade of existence exposed the flaws in decision-making, raising questions about CAF’s judgment.

This incident is more than a technical glitch; it is a blemish on the essence of AFCON. As Senegal eventually triumphed over Gambia, the victory was overshadowed by the glaring failure of the spectacle meant to celebrate the beauty of African football.

The incident demands answers from CAF and its questionable broadcast ally, putting the credibility of those entrusted to safeguard the soul of the beautiful game in Africa under scrutiny. The world watched as chaos eclipsed AFCON, leaving a lingering question mark on the tournament’s integrity.