Dancers perform during the opening ceremony of the Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) 2021 football tournament at Stade d’Olembé in Yaounde on January 9, 2022. Kenzo Tribouillard / AFP
Fifty years after last hosting the Africa Cup of Nations, Cameroon kick off the continental showpiece on Sunday targeting a sixth title while hoping the spectre of the coronavirus does not overshadow the tournament.
It was all shades of bright and colorful at the opening event of the games which had stalled for a year, over COVID-19 concerns.
See photos from the opening day of the event below.
A general view of the Japoma Stadium in Douala on January 9, 2022. The opening match in the Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) will be played at Stade d’Olembé in Yaounde on January 9, 2022, between Cameroon and Burkina Faso. Charly TRIBALLEAU / AFPCameroon soldiers patrol during the opening ceremony of the Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) 2021 football tournament at Stade d’Olembé in Yaounde on January 9, 2022. Kenzo Tribouillard / AFPDancers perform during the opening ceremony of the Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) 2021 football tournament at Stade d’Olembé in Yaounde on January 9, 2022. Kenzo Tribouillard / AFPCameroon’s President Paul Biya (C-L) and First Lady of Cameroon Chantal Biya (C-R) wave at the crowd during the opening ceremony of the Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) 2021 football tournament at Stade d’Olembé in Yaounde on January 9, 2022. Kenzo Tribouillard / AFPDancers perform during the opening ceremony of the Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) 2021 football tournament at Stade d’Olembé in Yaounde on January 9, 2022. Kenzo Tribouillard / AFPCameroon football supporters cheer during the opening ceremony of the Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) 2021 football tournament at Stade d’Olembé in Yaounde on January 9, 2022. Kenzo Tribouillard / AFPA giant replica of the trophy of the Africa Cup of Nations is seen during the opening ceremony of the Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) 2021 football tournament at Stade d’Olembé in Yaounde on January 9, 2022. KENZO TRIBOUILLARD / AFPFally Ipupa, Congolese singer-songwriter, performs during the opening ceremony of the Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) 2021 football tournament at Stade d’Olembé in Yaounde on January 9, 2022. Kenzo Tribouillard / AFPDancers perform during the opening ceremony of the Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) 2021 football tournament at Stade d’Olembé in Yaounde on January 9, 2022. Kenzo Tribouillard / AFPDancers perform during the opening ceremony of the Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) 2021 football tournament at Stade d’Olembé in Yaounde on January 9, 2022. Kenzo Tribouillard / AFPBurkina Faso football supporters are seen ahead of the opening ceremony of the Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) 2021 football tournament at Stade d’Olembé in Yaounde on January 9, 2022. KENZO TRIBOUILLARD / AFPCameroon football fans are pictured in a street in Douala on January 9, 2022. The opening match in the Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) will be played at Stade d’Olembé in Yaounde on January 9, 2022, between Cameroon and Burkina Faso. Charly TRIBALLEAU / AFPBurkina Faso’s forward Bertrand Traore (L) controls the ball as he is marked by Cameroon’s defender Nouhou Tolo (C) during the Group A Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) 2021 football match between Cameroon and Burkina Faso at Stade d’Olembé in Yaounde on January 9, 2022. Kenzo Tribouillard / AFP
BESTIARES GLADIATORS 