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The decade that is ending has been rich in significant events for African football: from the first World Cup organized on the continent to the overhaul of the CAN, between dramas (the shooting of Cabinda, the bloodbath of Port Said , etc.) and exploits (the epic of Mazembe and Raja at the Club World Cup, the coronation of Zambia at CAN 2012, etc.). Afriquefoot.rfi.fr offers you a look back.
2010: the Cabinda shooting
The African Cup of Nations in Angola opens the news and the front pages of newspapers around the world. But it is for a disastrous reason: a few days before the opening of CAN 2010, the Togo team bus was machine-gunned by separatists in the enclave of Cabinda. Balance sheet: three dead, including two members of the Togolese delegation. The "Sparrowhawks" give up the tournament and are sanctioned by an African Football Confederation next to the plaque.
2010: the third consecutive coronation of Egypt
The CAN 2010 ends on the coronation of an Egypt yet deprived of its master to play, Mohamed Aboutrika, against Ghana (1-0). It is the third consecutive victory of the "Pharaohs" and the seventh overall. An unprecedented three pass and a new record.
2010: the first World Cup in Africa
After the Americas, Europe and Asia, Africa is finally hosting the World Cup. Nelson Mandela's South Africa is thrilled. African teams defend themselves with uneven results, with Ghana barely missing a historic qualification for the semi-finals. The tournament, which was generally successful, was won by Spain for the first time.
2010: TP Mazembe in the final of the Club World Cup
An exceptionally rich year for African football ended with the final (lost 0-3 to Inter Milan) of Almighty Mazembe in the Club World Cup. Never a formation of the continent had reached this stage of the competition.
2012: bloodshed in Port Said
While CAN 2012 is in full swing, an Egyptian championship match between Al Ahly and Al Masry degenerates in Port Said, resulting in the death of more than 70 people. This drama will permanently weaken Egyptian football.
2012: the coronation of Zambia
Surprise in Gabon, where the Zambian selection is African champion for the first time in its history. In the final, the “Chipolopolo” ruined Didier Drogba's hopes for greatness in the Ivory Coast (0-0 ap, 8-7 TAB).
2013: Nigeria regains the heights
A year later - the final phase of the CAN now takes place in odd years - Nigeria wins the trophy in South Africa. The Nigerians impressed throughout the tournament and bend surprising Burkinabè, in the final (1-0).
2013: Raja Casablanca imitates Mazembe
Madness in Morocco where the 10th Club World Cup takes place. Like Mazembe in 2010, Raja Casablanca rose to the final of the competition. A match during which the Rajaouis fall against Bayern Munich (0-2).
2015: Ivory Coast sacred again
After many failures, Côte d'Ivoire finds the summits of continental football. The “Elephants” led by Yaya Touré (but without Didier Drogba) won the CAN 2015 in Equatorial Guinea against their neighbors and rivals from Ghana (0-0 AP, 9-8 TAB).
2015: Africa shaken by Fifagate
A series of corruption scandals at the International Football Federation (FIFA) ends up catching up with Africa. South Africa is suspected of having "bought" the organization of the 2010 World Cup, while accusations against Morocco (for the award of the 1998 World Cup) are going well. The only positive point for African football, his boss Issa Hayatou, is the interim head of a FIFA in great crisis.
2017: A five-star Cameroon
A valiant team from Cameroon wins a dull CAN 2017 in Gabon. “Indomitable Lions” welded as never before dismiss an Egypt back in the final (2-1) and have a fifth star embroidered on their jersey.
2017: the end of Issa Hayatou's reign
Astonishment on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of CAF, organized in Addis Ababa. Issa Hayatou, who has been handling the case with an iron fist since 1988, is beaten by the unknown Ahmad for the presidency. The Cameroonian pays his authoritarian management and the hidden support of FIFA to his Madagascan rival.
2017: CAF upsets the CAN
Ahmad organizes a large symposium in Morocco concerning the future of African football. This meeting led to a major overhaul of the African Cup of Nations. This will now be contested in June / July and with 24 teams instead of 16.
2018: zero points from Africa at the 2018 World Cup
For the first time since the 1982 World Cup, no African team is competing in the second round of the World Cup. A fiasco for African football, in Russia, which errors of arbitration are not enough to explain.
2018: Didier Drogba retires
After leaving a slight doubt, the Ivorian superstar hangs up the studs definitively. The striker will have marked world football, from the mid-2000s to the early 2010s.
2018: Chaos around the next African Nations Cups
The ax falls: too late to organize a CAN with 24 teams, Cameroon is withdrawing the 2019 edition which will then be entrusted to Egypt. Cameroonians are consoled with a CAN 2021 yet promised to Côte d'Ivoire. After much discussion and controversy, the Ivorians accept a “shift” towards CAN 2023 and Guinea towards CAN 2025.
2019: Algeria wins the first CAN at 24
Algeria wins the first CAN with 24 teams, against Senegal (1-0). A competition full of surprises and interest, despite the low average of goals scored.
2019: Samuel Eto'o bows out
After Drogba, it is the turn of the other great African football icon of the last twenty years, Samuel Eto'o, to announce his retirement. The Cameroonian and his Ivorian comrade will notably act as advisers to the president of CAF, Ahmad.