DOWN MEMORY LANE
How the Nations Cup has grown to a continental showpiece
Gabon hosts the 2017 Africa Nations Cup extravaganza 60 years after its first three-team kickoff
The 2017 Africa Nations Cup finals will be staged in Gabon from January 14 to February 5‚ about 60 years after the continental showpiece was first played as a three-team competition that featured only Egypt‚ Sudan and Ethiopia. The competition is older even‚ by three years‚ than the European Championships‚ but is given little of the same gravitas as enjoyed by that tournament. SA were originally the fourth team slated to take part in the inaugural Nations Cup in 1957‚ but were expelled from the newly formed Confederation of African Football due to apartheid and would not feature for almost 40 years. The draw had already been made for the semifinals and Ethiopia‚ due to play SA‚ were given a walkover into the final. There they met Egypt‚ who beat host nation Sudan 2-1 and The Pharaohs kept up their form to thump the Ethiopians 4-0 in the decider and earn the title of inaugural champions. By the time the tournament was played again two years later‚ Egypt was now known as the United Ar...
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