Etoo: January AFCON is a time prove greatness of African players once more

• Cameroon is ready to host the rest of Africa next week when the Confederation of African Football (CAF) 2021 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) takes place
• The African continental international football showpiece has had a lot of calls from foreign bodies including FIFA about a possible postponement or cancellation
• With the tournament's organizers a week away from realizing their dream and proving naysayers wrong, Samuel Etoo has said the AFCON will prove greatness of African players

Samuel Etoo, newly elected President of the Cameroonian Football Federation (FECAFOOT), has said January's AFCON will prove "greatness of African players".

The FA President of the host nation noted that the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) was more than just a football tournament to the people of Africa.

The former Cameroonian men's national team captain spoke in reaction to retired English footballer, Ian Wright's comments that the media's coverage of AFCON was tinged with racism.

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Samuel Etoo, reiterated Ian Wright's words that just like it was for international players from other parts of the world, there were no greater honor for a sportsperson than representing one's country.

"Respect @IanWright0. There’s no greater honor for a sportsperson than representing your country.

"The Africa Cup of Nations is a celebration of African pride, and next week’s AFCON will once more prove the undeniable greatness of African Players", the former Barcelona striker tweeted with the video of Ian Wright' commenting on the AFCON.

During his playing days, Samuel Etoo won the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) twice in 2000 and 2002 with his country Cameroon, albeit, he did not play as big a role as he did in subsequent tournaments with Cameroon because he was a young player then.

It was in later editions of the competition he played key roles for his country, as the former Real Madrid player was named the top scorer of the AFCON also on two occasions in the 2005/2006 and 2007/2008 with five goals each.

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Samuel Etoo's club career was equally as successful if not more, winning the UEFA Champions League, Scudetto, Laliga among other trophies with clubs like Barcelona, Real Madrid, Internazionale Milan.

The 40-year-old won the African player of the year award given by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) four times in 2003, 2004, 2005, and 2010 when he was with Real Mallorca, Barcelona and Inter Milan.

Former English footballer lashes out at AFCON "disrespect" and "racism" in video

Retired Arsenal and Crystal Palace striker, Ian Wright has in a video sighted by sportsbrief.com queried the sheer amount of "disrespect" meted out to the AFCON.

The ex England men national team player, who admitted that there were no greater honor for a player than representing his or her country colors, noted that the AFCON deserved more respect.