As far as international tournaments go, this will be remembered as one of the best ever. Its legacy? An ever growing appreciation for not just African football, but for the continent as a whole. There is no place like home.

There you have it. A tournament for the ages with plotlines that could rival the Marvel Universe has finally come to an end. AFCON 2023 has no agemates. It’s truly in a class of its own. Much like my fellow Nigerians would say, e no dey carry last. In fact, some people may say it carries first for them as far as international competitions go.

Only this tournament could provide you with a brand new stacked meme folder, initiate an Elimination Chamber style showdown which would dictate the custody of various African musical classics and also, show that despite the competitive nature, the continent has a unified sense of comradery - especially when it comes to celebrating culture and football.

The feeling of excitement and jubilation is still in the air. But as the mass crowds at the victory parade in Abidjan begin to return home and the online coverage of AFCON 2023 wrap-ups continue to flood timelines, it's important to take time to pause and assess why this tournament was so special and important.

For myself, I have watched AFCON for years, and whilst I have found joy in it, I have often become frustrated with outdated narratives and jibes thrown towards the motherland and its delivery of football.

In many senses, the continent is often forgotten about or seen as ‘less than’ on the global stage. This has been the case in many sectors. From music to fashion and sport. Whilst the continent's contribution can always be felt by the individual's boasts or the influence it provides, it doesn’t mean it’s appreciated to the extent it should be. As someone from the diaspora, it’s something I see too often in Western media.

Whilst bittersweet, the most iconic moment that depicted AFCON to me was the meltdown of Nigerian journalists in the mixed zone post the final whistle in the final. “You don’t play with European final tactics in an AFCON final”, one disgruntled fan bellowed, which in a unique way painted the perfect picture. 

AFCON and Africa is and always will be about expression. Expression that can not be bottled or kept back. It is all or nothing. From fans singing to players playing. The tackles that were once considered dangerous by many are not that. They are just people giving it their all for their flag. The celebrations from players are not just synchronised moves. They are expressions of childhood moments in which such moves would have been used to entertain family members and more.

The constant growth of the digital space means that this year, more than ever, people worldwide were able to get an understanding of how special it all is.

Whether it was the South African players breaking out into dance after scoring their goals, or Nigeria, Ghana, Gambia and more pulling up to the tournament in their traditional attire. The beautiful representation of national pride, the music played and entrances by each team into stadiums before games. Or the unity among players and fans as Congo stood in solidarity to spread awareness about the hardships faced in their homeland. 

The AFCON I had known about for years was finally represented in the right way. And I was able to feel it.

My first AFCON will most certainly not be my last. And I am hopeful that others will get to have the same experience too. Many may not have ever thought of going to Africa before but after witnessing such scenes, how can you not be intrigued? The same way people would think about flying out to a Copa or a Euros, is how I want people to think about AFCON.

This year's tournament broke new ground in terms of the competition, amount of sponsors, viewership, even ticketing model. With the show of all shows returning next year in Morocco, the opportunity couldn’t be clearer. This is not the end of a story, it’s the start of an amazing chapter.

So to AFCON 2023. Thank you for inspiring the world. Thank you for teaching so many about the beauty of Africa. Thank you for uniting the many different diasporas. Thank you for being a catalyst for even more greatness to come. We won’t forget you.

@MayowaQuadri

Events like AFCON however, are so key in changing things. Right now, Africa is being celebrated. Right now, African football is being spoken about positively. Right now, it feels like ‘Africa’ is not being used in a condescending way when talking about football. There is general acceptance this was a moment of greatness - as there should be.

Having covered the tournament from afar, I felt obligated to really understand what the magic of AFCON was. With Nigeria booked in for the semi-final, I took the flight out to get the full AFCON experience. The result? A trip of a lifetime.

I am now fully able to understand the magic of AFCON. Simply put, it is Africa and everything that makes Africa great. Music, culture, food, weather, people, tradition, you name it. This tournament is so great because this continent is so great.

From landing in Félix Houphouët Boigny International Airport to the sound of Ivorian drums and discussions about the home nation's chances of winning, to standing in the Stade de la Paix car park in Bouaké amongst the Nigerian team after they had just defeated South Africa in a thrilling semi-final match. The main thing that kept coming back to me was the amount of passion on display.

The passion for football in Africa is unrivalled. It is more than just a game. It is liberation. Football made everyone feel alive. No cares in the world on show. All that mattered was the beautiful game and how it made people feel. From the kids I saw playing in the streets, to the players representing their colours proudly, to the fans who watched on. Everyone gave everything to this game.

Coming from a place where for years I have seen people withhold their culture or identity, suddenly, I was immersed in an experience that couldn’t be anymore different.