Newer blog 2017
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| I review 2017 beyond reproach |
History The biennual African Cup of Nations tournament has been played since 1957 and is thereby older than the corresponding European championship. In February 1957, beneath the heat of the Nubian Desert in Sudan, few could have predicted the expansion of the African Nations Cup. That was precisely the aim of a meeting between seven delegates in Lisbon the previous year. There the Confederation of African Football was formed and the organisation planned the first tournament for the following year in Khartoum. However, as the start date drew near, there were a few hurdles to overcome, such as the exclusion of South Africa after the apartheid regime failed to approve a multi-racial team. So with South Africa out, the tournment came down to a play-off between just three teams - Egypt, hosts Sudan and Ethiopia. Ironically, 39 years later, at the end of apartheid, South Africa returned to rescue Caf by staging the expanded 16-team event after Kenya withdrew as hosts. Egypt, S
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