Fifty years after last hosting the Africa Cup of Nations, Cameroon kick off the continental showpiece on Sunday, January 9, 2021, 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.
Below are beautiful sights from the opening day:
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
Cameroon 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 / AFP
Cameroon’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 / AFP
Fally 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 / AFP Burkina 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 
