Home away from home as Euro 2024 kicks off

One of the world’s most exciting football tournament kicks off in Germany this weekend as Europe’s top nations compete for the continental title.UEFA EURO 2024 will include 24 teams from across Europe gunning for the ultimate glory and bragging rights. Millions of fans will be closely following the total of 51 matches in 31 days before the winner of the prestigious competition will be decided. Historically the European championship has somewhat of an allegiance to Africa due to the number of players who have African roots.Some nations in the competition will have players with African origins, either by birth or parentage. Former Brave Warriors coach Ricardo Mannetti said he was looking forward to seeing some of these players on display.“The European championship is a good opportunity to watch good football and yes, it is very true that many of these teams will include players linked to Africa. “We all can’t wait to see how some of the big teams will perform and maybe if there will be a surprise from the smaller nations,” Mannetti said. One notable contender that has often graced many tournaments with players linked to African roots has been the French national team. Les Bleus won their nation’s two continental titles in 1998 and 2018.This time, France will be no different to that norm as a core of their players are linked to the African continent, but found Europe as their new home in search of greener pastures. One of those prominent French players will be team captain Kylian Mbappe, whose mother is of Algerian descent, while his father is Cameroonian. Mbappe is joined by many other team mates with African roots such as Ibrahima Konate, William Saliba, Jules Kounde, Ferland Mendy, Dayot Upamecano, N’Golo Kante, Eduardo Camavinga, Aurelien Tchouameni, Youssouf Fofana, Ousmane Dembele, Randal Kolo Muani and Brice Samba. Belgium, a highly rated football nation who has never reached the highest pinnacle of the European competition, will be another of the teams with a notable African influence. Orel Mangala, Amadou Onana, Youri Tielemans, Johan Bakayoko, Romelu Lukaku, Dodi Lukebakio and Lois Openda could conceivably all have played for African nations. Austria’s David Alaba, who has Nigerian blood, will be leading the team in the upcoming tournament. The English national team also have a few of players that could have qualified to play for African nations. Kobbie Mainoo and Bukayo Saka, with parents of African origins, will be part of the English national team playing at the Euros. Nations such as Germany and Portugal are also among those with footballers with African roots.UEFA EURO 2024’s opening fixtures: FRIDAY 14 June Germany v Scotland (21:00) SATURDAY 15 June Hungary v Switzerland (15:00) Spain v Croatia (18:00) Italy v Albania (21:00) SUNDAY 16 JunePoland v Netherlands (15:00) Slovenia v Denmark (18:00) Serbia v England (21:00) MONDAY 17 June Romania v Ukraine (15:00) Belgium v Slovakia (18:00) Austria v France (21:00)

Home away from home as Euro 2024 kicks off

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Home away from home as Euro 2024 kicks off

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