The continental flagship football tournament – African Cup of Nations, roars off tomorrow in Cameroon with 24 contingents, including battling for a Holy Grail that carries a mammoth weight of expectation.

All contenders have promised their countrymen a solid show, hoping to put their best foot forward – and with a bit of luck land the gold of glory – after more than three weeks of potentially ferocious exchanges.

Whilst countries have urged their representatives to do their damnedest and plant the sparkles on the faces of their followers, Guinea has decided to adopt a more militant approach.

In a combative mood, Guinea President Colonel Mamady Doumbouya last December warned his players to win the Africa Cup of Nations or be made to pay back the money used to help them prepare for the tournament.

Led by Liverpool star Naby Keitam, the National Elephants– are in Group B alongside Malawi, Senegal, and Zimbabwe for the tournament – which is set to roll of tomorrow, January 9.

Guinea’s best ever finish at an Africa Cup of Nations was recorded in 1976, when they finished runners-up to Morocco in the last edition of the tournament to feature a final group stage.

But military officer Doumbouya – who led a coup d’état by the country’s armed forces against Alpha Conde and his government last September 5 – has laid down a dreadful ultimatum to Kaba Diawara’s men.

“Bring back the trophy or bring back the money we invested in you. Period!” Doumbouya told Soccer 24.

There was an interesting situation too in 2000 where the Ivorian national team was held for three days in a military camp after being eliminated in the first round of the African Cup of Nations. The Elephants had packed down Ghana 2-0, managed a draw against Togo and slumped 3-0 to Cameroon – crashing out of the campaign.

The players, many on lucrative contracts with European clubs, were shown on state-controlled television being forced to conduct military marches and receiving lectures on discipline.

According to the BBC, they were then taken to the capital, Abidjan, for a dressing down from military dictator General Robert Guei.

“I asked that you be taken there so you could reflect a while. You behaved unworthily. You should have avoided us such shame,” General Guei was quoted as saying by the Fraternite Matin newspaper.

“Next time you will stay there for military service. You will be sent to the barracks until a sense of civic pride gets into your heads.”

Certainly, it is not a decent thing to do. It looks all-too weird and draconian. However, sometimes, one is tempted to believe that it is the way to go. Some of these players, paid at the expense of the tax payer; play as if there is absolutely nothing at stake, when millions of people have invested their hearts into them.

Once players decide to take to the pitch in national colours, they have got to prove their patriotism; they have got to give their all – otherwise, they have no business being there in the first place.

For sure, the Black Stars would not be subjected to any such ordeal if they do not annex this coronet. Nevertheless, they owe it a duty to exhibit a high standard of discipline, dedication, hardwork, whole-hearted commitment and valour on the field of play.

This is the only way the players can bring glory to the country and carve out a niche for themselves, too.

By John Vigah