Emmanuel Adebayor reflects on AFCON's evolution and Africa's rising identity

The former Togo captain, reflecting on his AFCON experiences, says the competition today looks very different from the one he knew as a player, yet its essence remains unmistakably African.

"It's very different now, in the sense that many things have changed," Adebayor told CAF.

"When we went to AFCON, we wore tracksuits, sometimes a suit, only once if I remember correctly."

Adebayor recalls a time when the tournament was less polished but equally rich in passion and emotion. Over the years, AFCON has transformed into a global spectacle that allows African nations to proudly express who they are.

"Now it's beautiful. It's art. It's our culture," he said, highlighting the shift towards celebrating African identity on and off the pitch.

This evolution has been evident at AFCON 2025, where team arrivals have become cultural statements. Mali stepped off the bus dressed in traditional attire, Nigeria blended bold design with elegance, while Cote d' Ivoire showcased creativity and sophistication.

"It was just beautiful to watch. Magnificent," Adebayor remarked.

For the former African Footballer of the Year, these moments go beyond fashion. They reflect a continent embracing its uniqueness.

"We play different, we dress different, we talk different. At the end of the day, we must remember that we are Africans. We have our values and our cultures," he said.

Adebayor also touched on the emotional rituals that have always defined AFCON, recalling pre-match singing, prayers and gospel songs used to motivate players. What pleases him most is seeing younger generations maintaining those traditions.

In a football world that often feels standardized, AFCON remains unpredictable, emotional and authentic. Adebayor believes African football should continue to modernise, but never at the cost of its identity.

The tournament's strength, he insists, lies in its difference, a quality that makes AFCON truly irreplaceable.