The Africa Cup of Nations which is competition among Africa State of thirty-two qualifying teams. The intent is to draw lessons from this 2023 AFCON with spotlight on Ivory Coast. What are these lessons:
1. Ivory Coast lost two out of three group matches but still got to the final. They had a second chance and took it seriously. Don't play with the second chance life gives you. Don't give up on yourself!
2. Ivory Coast were beaten 4-0 by Equatorial Guinea, yet they bounced back to the final while Equatorial Guinea got eliminated. Don't write anyone off. You won today doesn't mean you are the best. Don't look down on the person you defeated yesterday!
3. Ivory Coast mobilized support for Morocco to beat Zambia so that they can qualify. Some of those clapping for you now and supporting you may not be your real friends, they may just be using your success for their gain. Morocco went home after helping Ivory Coast to qualify to the final. Don't let anyone use you for any gain that doesn't benefit you.
4. South African goalkeeper stopped 4 penalties against Cape Verde and we're so confident. They wanted the match against Nigeria to end in penalties so that they will win. But against Nigeria, he couldn't stop any penalty, instead the Nigerian keeper stopped 2 and won MOTM. Don't be too confident in yourself.
5. Nigeria scored a second goal that was disallowed because of an earlier foul at the build up. The goal was cancelled and SOUTH AFRICA was awarded a penalty. Such is life, when you think you have lost, God may give you a redemption to turn ashes into beauty.
6. Senegal didn't lose any match at group stage. But when they played against Ivory Coast that lost 2 matches, they were eliminated.
7. All the defenders were on Osimhen, they did all they could to stop him, even four of his goals were disallowed.....but they didn't take note of Ademola Lookman. Your real enemy may not be who you are thinking.....
8. Kelechi Iheanacho didn't play the previous 5 matches, he came in late into the 6th game and became the hero. All you need to be a hero could just be one kick and not 100 kicks, but if you have just one opportunity to kick the ball, do it well...
#OurVoicesMatters #MyHandsAreClean