While the Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast showcases some of the finest soccer globally, it struggles to capture attention beyond the African continent. European fans often face limited access to watch the tournament, and news coverage competes with domestic competitions.

Despite featuring star players like Sadio Mané, Mohamed Salah, Victor Osimhen, and Riyad Mahrez, and delivering exciting matches, the Africa Cup competes for recognition with Europe’s “big five” leagues. Coaches and clubs in Europe sometimes discourage African players from participating, leading to a delicate balance for these athletes.

Gambia coach Tom Saintfiet believes the tournament deserves more respect and exposure in Europe, emphasizing the top-level organization, beautiful venues, and the presence of renowned players. Instances of European coaches pressuring players to skip the tournament or limit their participation highlight a lack of understanding about African football.

Cape Verde’s Mário Semedo criticized European clubs for influencing player decisions, emphasizing the importance of recognizing Africa’s development in football. Players at the Africa Cup express immense pride in representing their countries, urging fellow Africans to support and elevate the tournament.

Ghana goalkeeper Richard Ofori emphasizes the need for Africans to focus on their game and make the tournament successful, regardless of external opinions. Senegal’s Sadio Mané and captain Kalidou Koulibaly lament the skewed focus of Western media towards European leagues, urging players to prioritize national duty over club interests.

In essence, the Africa Cup of Nations, despite its excellence on the pitch, grapples with the challenge of being overlooked on the global stage, particularly in comparison to the more widely celebrated European competitions.