Online Reporter
Langton Nyakwenda
Zimpapers Sports Hub
NORTH Africa has hosted the most Africa Cup of Nations finals since 1957, when the continent’s biggest football show-piece was launched.
The 35th edition of the biennial tournament, which kicks off in Morocco tomorrow, will be the 14th AFCON finals to be staged in the northern tip of Africa.
West Africa has hosted the football fiesta on 10 occasions, while Central Africa has done it five times.
East and Southern African regions have hosted the show-piece three times each.
But focus returns to North Africa once again, where Zimbabwe will make their sixth appearance at the tourney.
The Warriors have been to North Africa for an AFCON tournament on three separate occasions before and are now set for a fourth appearance in this part of the continent.
They debuted in Tunisia 21 years ago and also, participated in Egypt 2006.
In 2019, Zimbabwe returned to North Africa, when Egypt once again staged the football extravaganza.
North Africa is a football region that evokes fond memories for former Zimbabwe national team striker Edward “Duduza” Sadomba.
The now retired Sadomba made a name in Sudan and Libya and also broke records in Africa’s club knock-out tournaments when he plied his trade with Al Hilal.
“I always have goosebumps when someone talks about North African football because to me it’s like a second home,” Sadomba told Zimpapers Sports Hub.
“Apart from their weather conditions, which are a bit different from some parts of Africa, North African football is also highly entertaining because of the massive investment in football that is happening there.
“The facilities are top-notch, which is a fact that our boys will realise when the AFCON games begin,” said Sadomba.
Morocco will host the matches in nine stadiums across six cities. The 68 000-seater Prince Moulay Abdellah in Marrakech will host the final on January 18.
Although Zimbabwe have, according to analysts, a mere 0.16 percent chance of reaching the final, Sadomba feels the Warriors should fancy their chances of reaching the knock-out stage for the first time.
“I am wishing the Warriors all the best,” said Sadomba.
Zimbabwe will open their campaign with a date against Egypt at the Adrar Stadium in Agadir on Monday.
They will then play Angola and South Africa in Marrakech.
“Against Egypt we should not concede early.
“We should also not underrate Angola,” warned Sadomba, who was capped 15 times with Zimbabwe.
His major achievements though came in Africa’s club knock-out tournaments — the CAF Champions League and the CAF Confederation Cup.
Six years after retiring, Sadomba is still regarded as one of the finest strikers to have featured in African inter-club competitions.
The Mbare-bred Sadomba scored 33 goals in the CAF inter-club competitions and is the fifth-highest top scorer behind Congolese marksman Tressor Mputu, who plundered 55 goals, Egyptian icon Mahmoud Al-Katib (37 goals), Moroccan Mouhcine Iajour (36 goals) and Angolan Flavio, who banged in 35.
Sadomba made history in 2011, when he was named on the short-list for the 10 players who CAF experts believed had done enough to be considered for the CAF Player of the Year (based in Africa). That was after he top-scored with seven goals in 12 Champions League matches for Sudanese giants Al Hilal.
He also led the scoring charts in the 2012 CAF Confederation Cup and remains the only man to achieve that in two consecutive seasons.
“I enjoyed my football in Sudan, and I am always linking up with my contacts there.
“My wish is to see more Zimbabwean players making it in North Africa,” said Sadomba.
The Al Hilal legend met Sudanese Ambassador to Zimbabwe Ibrahim Elsheikh Abdelrazig Ahmed at his offices earlier on Tuesday.
“We discussed a lot of things, mainly football development,” said Sadomba, without revealing much.
