Total CHAN opens in Cameroon with colourful traditional display
The sixth edition of the TOTAL Africa Nations Championship (CHAN) kicked off in Cameroon on Saturday with a colourful opening ceremony in the capital of Yaounde.
A huge cultural display with dancers dressed in Cameroonian national colours marked the start of the competition, held in Central African country for the first time.
The inauguration of the competition, designed only for home-based players, was attended by Cameroon Prime Minister Joseph Ngute, FIFA President Gianni Infantino and his CAF counterpart, Constant Omari and former CAF leader Issa Hayatou.
It was the first time the newly-installed CAF honorary president had been seen in a continental match since his reign as Africa's football chief ended about four years ago.
The 12-minute show, put together by the Leap Creative Studio and assisted by a local specialized agency EasyGroup, electrified the Ahmadou Ahidjo Stadium with local tradition tinged with African culture.
The pitch was decked out in a massive and beautiful African cloth design while 40 percussionists and 56 dancers thumped the floor amid huge fireworks display.
The impressive display featured three symbolic acts which celebrate the cultural wealth of Cameroon while paying tribute to the African continent's love for football - the universal sport that brings the continent together in the spirit of sporting competition.
Over 100 young Cameroonians participated in the event celebrating the Cameroonian cultural diversity, its energy and its potential some of the country's biggest musicians thrilled fans with an exceptional show to the admiration of Cameroonians and people of Africa.
MTV award winning rapper Stanley Enow performed to the excitement of the socially-distanced, mask-wearing fans at the stadium.
Singer Jane Mary Ihims also gave an exhilarating rendition of 'We are all champions' ditty which is the official song of the tournament.
The giant flags of the 16 countries who will be fighting for the title were also displayed in alphabetical order which also drew wild applause from the fans.
The exciting performances paved the way for the opening match of the tournament between Cameroon and Zimbabwe in Group A.
The competition will be played in the cities of Yaounde and Limbe while Douala will host two groups at Japoma Stadium and Stade de la Reunification. The tournament will start on 16th January and end on 7th February.
The competition was initially set to be held in April 2020 but was postponed as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. It is Africa's major football event since the outbreak of the deadly disease.