Arsenal icon Thierry Henry has pinpointed the 1988 Africa Cup of Nations as the starting point of his lifelong fascination with the continental tournament. During a recent segment on CBS Sports Golazo, the legendary striker recalled watching the competition for the first time when Morocco served as the host nation.
Henry vividly remembered the championship decider in Casablanca, where Cameroon edged out Nigeria to secure the trophy, a match that featured some of the most celebrated figures in African football history.
The former French international shared how the 1-0 victory for the Indomitable Lions, settled by an Emmanuel Kunde penalty, left a lasting impression on him as a young viewer. He specifically highlighted the presence of world-class talents like Roger Milla and Joseph-Antoine Bell, noting that their performances on the African stage helped set the standard for the sport. This early exposure to the tournament’s unique intensity and skill level established a tradition of viewership that Henry maintains to this day, most recently following Senegal’s triumph in the 2025 edition.
By linking his childhood memories to the modern game, Henry emphasized the historical prestige and competitive depth that define the tournament. His analysis on CBS Sports provided fans with a rare glimpse into the cultural influences that shaped his understanding of global football beyond the European leagues. As the continent reflects on another successful championship, Henry’s anecdotes serve as a bridge between the legendary era of the late eighties and the current generation of African superstars.
Thierry Henry provided some personal context during his broadcast appearance: “I want to give you a little background about me, the Africa Cup of Nations, and I’ll talk about what happened in the final. I started to watch the AFCON in 1988. It was in Morocco. Cameroon won against Nigeria in the final. You may remember names like Roger Milla and Joseph-Antoine Bell were playing in that team.”
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