Aware of the high chance of failure, young African talents show remarkable creativity and resilience as they dream of being the next Sadio Mané.
Hosting the Africa Cup of Nations football tournament is hugely important for Cameroon - politically, economically and on the pitch.
To refuse inclusion would prevent Africa’s researchers from being significant players in the universal fight against the virus.
Here is a run-down on everything you need to know ahead of the championships.
Africa is a deeply divided continent along ideological, ethnic and territorial lines. Religion and football can produce consensus.
European football matches allow African fans to partake in the aspirational dreams exported worldwide by the Premier League or the Champions League.