Diary for Monday: AFCON 2017 enters critical stage

The 2017 Total Nations Cup is in its most critical stage –that stage when the quarter-finalists and semi-finalists will be known. And what a ride this has been so far!

The last seven days have been filled with drama.

There has been plenty of warmth from the locals that will guarantee the tournament lives long in the memory.

 Cranes captain Massa

For the first time ever, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) also set aside a media plane nicknamed 'Hayatou boeing' to assist media access to all four host cities.

But just like the previous championships, this particular event would not have registered the sort of success it has so far, had it not been for the army of volunteers that are working tirelessly throughout to keep everything running smoothly.

From the media bus drivers to the students guiding media and officials, the over 6000 volunteers have been the bedrock on which this tournament has been built.

 Cranes palyers after the game against Egypt

This volunteer process began last year when the Local Organizing Committee (LOC) in conjunction with CAF requested applications for local volunteers. The ability to speak English and Arabic was an extra bonus.

Considering that the population in Gabon is just 1.6 million, less than 10,000 applied, with a majority interested in helping out in an area they view as a future career.

Some were motivated by the chance to watch games while the others as a means of survival.

For the selected candidates –aged above 18 –two weeks basic training followed during which they were instructed in everything from hospitality to customer care.

Since the tournament started, these volunteers have worked with near military precision to ensure that the media and visiting fans leave Gabon with amazing memories.

Of course, there has been a language barrier and this has seen some of the media coming from Anglophone countries cry out for interpreters while covering activities in the field.

The welcome desks at airport and hotels in all four host venues Libreville, Port-Gentil, Franceville and Oyem have been manned by the volunteers. The hospitality teams, anti-doping units and logistic officials have been remarkable with the exception of one stubborn Nigerian official Aisha that embarrassed speaker Rebecca Kadaga.

Kadaga was lined up to hand out the Man of the Match Award. She presented the prestigious award to Egypt’s match-winner Abdallah El-Said, and then waited patiently within the media zone before leaving.

“Get out of this place. I want this place cleared. You taking long inside here,” shouted Aisha.

This particular official has been singled out as chaotic, ill-mannered and has on more than one occasion been involved in fights with media over the protocol arrangements in the media zone.

State Sports Minister Charles Bakkabulidi, who had accompanied Kadaga to the function, could not watch her Speaker embarrassed.
“You woman, how do you embarrass my Speaker. Nonsense! You are a very hopeless woman. Don’t ever speak to dignitaries like that,” Bakkabulindi yelled.

Bakkabulindi’s emotional outburst was understandable.

Bakkabulindi, just like the hundreds of other Cranes that had made the journey here, were emotionally struggling to come to terms with Egypt’s late sucker-punch.

Ugandans may have been fewer in number but they made up for that in volume –till disaster struck in the 88th minute.