We are missing one vital point that could drastically change the narratives of African football and create an opportunity for Africa to one day emerge as world cup winners.

 

We are missing one vital point that could drastically change the narratives of African football and create an opportunity for Africa to one day emerge as world cup winners.

When we talk about the AFCON it shouldn't be just an opportunity to only showcase the best African players, it should also be seen as an opportunity to construct sustainable pitches that could outlive the AFCON by another 10 years minimum.

The beautiful 100% natural grass pitches we see on TV during the AFCON are tournament pitches that can't outlive the AFCON. Climate change is really affecting our continent, Our raining season in Africa is not same anymore and our dry season is not also same anymore.

With our lack of maintenance culture in most parts of Africa, CAF should start thinking of introducing synthetic turf pitches with 100% natural infills backed up with proper sprinkler system for the AFCON.

This lead-free synthetic turf pitches with 100% natural plant based infills are TV friendly, eco friendly, flakes free, natural ball bounce and roll, reduced playing surface temperature and supports speed football.

The cost and maintenance implications of this 100% natural turf pitches are almost half the cost of constructing one of those tournament pitches that can't withstand the arch African weather and can't outlive the tournament.

Football stadiums are all about the pitches, a beautiful stadium with a bad pitch will be marked X during tournament co-ordinators inspection. 

This is a food of thought for CAF.