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African Nations Cup Special: Farewell To Veterans Of The African Game
A little list of some players who may have played their last Africa Cup of Nations in Angola.
Feb 4, 2010 5:55:00 AM
By Massaër Ndiaye
Frederic Kanoute (02/11/1977) - Mali and Sevilla FC
The 32-year-old veteran was still in Angola when he announced to the local press that he may have just played his last game as an Eagle. Frustrated by rampant rumors of internal quarrels as much as their inability to live up to the hype brought about by their amazing potential - the so-called "Best Midfield in Africa" composed of Seydou Keita, Mahamadou Diarra and Mohamed Sissoko still hasn't delivered a single game resembling their club performances.
Arriving late in the selection after being a French U-21 International, Kanoute became their technical leader and led the new wave of Malian football. Unfortunately, he hasn't managed to rake in any trophies with the Eagles and never will. His legacy with the national team remains untainted though, as the Olympique Lyonnais product remains one of the most beloved players in Africa and in his country.
Rigobert Song (01/07/1976) - Cameroon and Trabzonspor
The Great "Magnan" (The Big Brother, The Big Chief) may not have been the captain of the selection but he is still referred to as such by the current captain. Arriving in the national team as a 17-year-old, Rigobert Song has never left it, and is regarded as one of the most emblematic and probably the most important player Cameroon has ever had. And that's saying a lot for a country like Cameroon, who have been producing legends every generation along the way.
Rigobert is a national treasure but his performances are starting to diminish and as important as he is, he knows he won't be immune to criticism much longer. A personal mistake cost his country the cup in 2008 and he was a shadow of his former self in 2010. Still keeping the same importance, he will be at the World Cup in South Africa without a doubt to guide young guns such as Nicolas N'koulou but we may have seen him on a continental stage for the last time in Angola.
Nwankwo Kanu (01/08/1976) - Nigeria and Potsmouth
Another dinosaur in African football, Nwankwo Kanu has beaten every precocity record available and then some. His palmares and trophy case with Nigeria, as well as individually, are full. And still he finds a way to be an ego-free substitute when his attitude could have been a prima-donna like one. The man is an example of professionalism and is definitely a man that is revered throughout the continent for his many feats and his irreproachable conduct.
One of the first true global superstars hailing from Africa, Kanu made all Nigerians, and all Africans, proud whenever he stepped on a pitch. But at nearly 34 years old, he may retire from the Super Eagles this summer after the South African World Cup. We salute another exceptional man.
Rafik Saifo (07/02/1975) - Algeria and FC Istres.
Rafik Saifi is one of those players that will always be remembered as one of the more technically gifted athletes of his generation. Turning 35 this month, he has returned to Istres to prepare for this summer's World Cup and may have played his last game in an Africa Cup of Nations. He may have lost a starting spot, but Saifi remains the most significant player to play for the Fennecs in recent years. When he retires this summer, 'L'artiste' will remain on everyone's minds as the type of player that no longer exists.
Ahmed Hassan (05/02/1976) - Egypt and Al Ahly
Literally the most impressive continental palmares available today, the leader of the Egyptian team showed everyone that he was far from finished at nearly 34. The Al Ahly player is easily one of the most enviable players of any generation, but he has hinted enough times in the past that he was not going to be sticking around much longer and with three African Cup of Nations in a row, a record 166 selections with the Pharaohs, he can rest easy knowing that his legacy is set in stone and that his spot as one of the best African players ever is guaranteed.
Didier Drogba (11/03/1978) - Cote d'Ivoire and Chelsea
Not nearly old enough to retire but maybe the repeated failures can take its toll on a man who has been nothing but proud to wear the Elephants uniform. Turning 32 in March, Didier Drogba is maybe having his best season yet as a professional football player. And maybe the rumors that have been plaguing his otherwise stable relationship with the Elephants have us worried for nothing, but Drogba could consider retiring this summer if the Elephants do not perform well in South Africa.
Ememanuel Adebayor (26/02/1984) - Togo and Manchester City
Too young to retire from anything, Emmanuel Adebayor will be turning 26 at the end of this month. But his retiring from international football may be the most unfair of all. After being ambushed and shot at by Cabinda rebels prior to the Africa Cup of Nations, the Togolese were suspended until the 2016 event. Though we all hope this decision will be overturned soon, it could mean that we have seen Adebayor play his last game with the Sparrow Hawks without even knowing it.
It's his generation that brought Togo to a World Cup and to qualify regularly for AFCONs. If he leaves, and with him a new generation, Togolese football may take a very long time to recover from it. So let's just hope Mr Hayatou and his committee realize the lunacy of the punishment they just gave the Sparrow Hawks and let Adebayor continue defending his country's colors.
For the latest news and updates from Goal.com, follow our Twitter account!
The 32-year-old veteran was still in Angola when he announced to the local press that he may have just played his last game as an Eagle. Frustrated by rampant rumors of internal quarrels as much as their inability to live up to the hype brought about by their amazing potential - the so-called "Best Midfield in Africa" composed of Seydou Keita, Mahamadou Diarra and Mohamed Sissoko still hasn't delivered a single game resembling their club performances.
Arriving late in the selection after being a French U-21 International, Kanoute became their technical leader and led the new wave of Malian football. Unfortunately, he hasn't managed to rake in any trophies with the Eagles and never will. His legacy with the national team remains untainted though, as the Olympique Lyonnais product remains one of the most beloved players in Africa and in his country.
Rigobert Song (01/07/1976) - Cameroon and Trabzonspor
The Great "Magnan" (The Big Brother, The Big Chief) may not have been the captain of the selection but he is still referred to as such by the current captain. Arriving in the national team as a 17-year-old, Rigobert Song has never left it, and is regarded as one of the most emblematic and probably the most important player Cameroon has ever had. And that's saying a lot for a country like Cameroon, who have been producing legends every generation along the way.
Rigobert is a national treasure but his performances are starting to diminish and as important as he is, he knows he won't be immune to criticism much longer. A personal mistake cost his country the cup in 2008 and he was a shadow of his former self in 2010. Still keeping the same importance, he will be at the World Cup in South Africa without a doubt to guide young guns such as Nicolas N'koulou but we may have seen him on a continental stage for the last time in Angola.
Nwankwo Kanu (01/08/1976) - Nigeria and Potsmouth
Another dinosaur in African football, Nwankwo Kanu has beaten every precocity record available and then some. His palmares and trophy case with Nigeria, as well as individually, are full. And still he finds a way to be an ego-free substitute when his attitude could have been a prima-donna like one. The man is an example of professionalism and is definitely a man that is revered throughout the continent for his many feats and his irreproachable conduct.
One of the first true global superstars hailing from Africa, Kanu made all Nigerians, and all Africans, proud whenever he stepped on a pitch. But at nearly 34 years old, he may retire from the Super Eagles this summer after the South African World Cup. We salute another exceptional man.
Rafik Saifo (07/02/1975) - Algeria and FC Istres.
Rafik Saifi is one of those players that will always be remembered as one of the more technically gifted athletes of his generation. Turning 35 this month, he has returned to Istres to prepare for this summer's World Cup and may have played his last game in an Africa Cup of Nations. He may have lost a starting spot, but Saifi remains the most significant player to play for the Fennecs in recent years. When he retires this summer, 'L'artiste' will remain on everyone's minds as the type of player that no longer exists.
Ahmed Hassan (05/02/1976) - Egypt and Al Ahly
Literally the most impressive continental palmares available today, the leader of the Egyptian team showed everyone that he was far from finished at nearly 34. The Al Ahly player is easily one of the most enviable players of any generation, but he has hinted enough times in the past that he was not going to be sticking around much longer and with three African Cup of Nations in a row, a record 166 selections with the Pharaohs, he can rest easy knowing that his legacy is set in stone and that his spot as one of the best African players ever is guaranteed.
Didier Drogba (11/03/1978) - Cote d'Ivoire and Chelsea
Not nearly old enough to retire but maybe the repeated failures can take its toll on a man who has been nothing but proud to wear the Elephants uniform. Turning 32 in March, Didier Drogba is maybe having his best season yet as a professional football player. And maybe the rumors that have been plaguing his otherwise stable relationship with the Elephants have us worried for nothing, but Drogba could consider retiring this summer if the Elephants do not perform well in South Africa.
Ememanuel Adebayor (26/02/1984) - Togo and Manchester City
Too young to retire from anything, Emmanuel Adebayor will be turning 26 at the end of this month. But his retiring from international football may be the most unfair of all. After being ambushed and shot at by Cabinda rebels prior to the Africa Cup of Nations, the Togolese were suspended until the 2016 event. Though we all hope this decision will be overturned soon, it could mean that we have seen Adebayor play his last game with the Sparrow Hawks without even knowing it.
It's his generation that brought Togo to a World Cup and to qualify regularly for AFCONs. If he leaves, and with him a new generation, Togolese football may take a very long time to recover from it. So let's just hope Mr Hayatou and his committee realize the lunacy of the punishment they just gave the Sparrow Hawks and let Adebayor continue defending his country's colors.
For the latest news and updates from Goal.com, follow our Twitter account!
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