The Athletic.

Hello, I'm Mark Chapman.

Welcome to the Business of Sport podcast on The Athletic.

Matt Slater with us as usual.

With the Africa Cup of Nations kicking off this

weekend, we're joined by Hisham L. Emrani, former Secretary General of the African Football Federation.

And then later in the pod, we'll talk to the athletics Dan Sheldon, who's been speaking to

the CEO of Southampton following their takeover by a London-based investment firm.

The Africa-Cuburn Nations begins on Sunday.

24 nations will compete in Cameroon.

The tournament was initially supposed to be played in January last year, but was delayed because of the coronavirus pandemic.

We're joined now by Hishamel Amrani, who during these eight years as Secretary General of the African Football Federation, was in charge of the delivery of all major competitions and events on the continent, including the Africa Cup of Nations.

He was also CEO of Morocco's bid to host the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Hisham, thank you very much for doing this.

I think it's going to be a fascinating chat.

As far as the Africa Cup of Nations that is about to begin is concerned, first of all,

it was hugely important that it goes ahead.

Yes, of course, it's usually important in the history of the tournament. It always took place

on time, to the exception, of course, of COVID this year, having restricted the organization.

But since 57, it is the flagship event of the continent. And Africans in general,

not only football fans, are very much attached to it as a cultural thing, not just a football tournament.

So happy that we will look forward to exciting games ahead.

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