At Duelbits, we’re lucky to work with someone who understands African football from the inside, not just as a fan, but as a champion. Salomon Kalou has lived the pressure, the pride, and the emotion of AFCON, and few people speak about the tournament with the same clarity and honesty. With another unforgettable edition now behind us and with great amounts of soccer bets, we sat down with our ambassador to get his thoughts on the drama of the final, the rise of a new generation of African talent, and what this tournament means for the continent moving forward. And with Chelsea entering a new chapter of their own, we couldn’t resist asking him about the Blues’ direction, their young prospects, and the transfer rumours swirling around Stamford Bridge.
What did you make of the AFCON Final on Sunday? It certainly had a lot of drama.
It was a dramatic final, but not always for the right reasons. Some of the behaviour from the Senegalese players was disappointing, and it’s not what we want to see in African football. But Sadio Mané showed incredible leadership in the middle of all that chaos. He reminded everyone what true professionalism looks like, and he restored a lot of faith in the spirit of the game. Moments like that show why he’s such a respected figure across the continent.
Let's talk about Brahim Díaz's penalty, is that something you would have attempted?
Never. Not in a final, not in that moment. I understand the confidence it takes to try something different, but there’s a time and place for creativity, and that wasn’t it. He had been one of the standout players of the tournament, but that penalty will follow him for a long time. It’s a shame, because he deserved to be remembered for his performances, not that one decision.
Do you think the best team won overall?
I think both finalists had strong cases to lift the trophy. Over the whole tournament, they each showed quality, resilience, and biggame mentality. But based on how the final unfolded, I would have felt more comfortable if Morocco had taken it. They controlled large parts of the match and handled the pressure better. Finals are about moments, though, and Senegal took theirs.
Pape Gueye scored the winner, assisted by Mané, it was some strike, wasn’t it?
Absolutely. That’s the kind of goal that wins finals, clean, powerful, unstoppable. You could see from the moment it left his foot that the goalkeeper had no chance. And the buildup from Mané was pure class, the kind of composure you expect from a worldclass player. It was a moment worthy of deciding a tournament.
You’ve won AFCON yourself, how did this edition compare emotionally to the ones you played in?
Every AFCON carries a unique emotional weight, but the intensity is always the same. When you’ve lived it from the inside, you understand the pressure these players are under, the expectations of millions, the pride of representing your country. Watching this edition brought all those feelings back. You could sense the tension, the joy, the heartbreak in every match. It reminded me why AFCON is one of the most special tournaments in world football.
Which young African player impressed you the most this tournament?
There were a few young players who really caught my eye, and that’s a great sign for the future of African football. Bazoumana Touré showed incredible maturity for his age, the way he handled pressure was something you usually see from players with ten years more experience. Ibrahim Mbaye also impressed me; being at PSG gives him the perfect environment to grow, and you can already see the confidence and composure that comes from training at that level. Mamadou Sarr looked like a player with huge potential, someone who reads the game naturally. And Ilias Akhomach brought real energy in his cameos for Morocco, every time he came on, he wanted to make something happen. When you see this kind of talent emerging all at once, you know the next generation is in very good hands.
There were a few controversial refereeing moments, do you think VAR helped or hurt this AFCON?
VAR is supposed to bring clarity, but this tournament showed that it still depends heavily on the people using it. Some decisions were correct, others were confusing, and a few took far too long. Fans don’t want to sit around waiting for someone in a booth to make up their mind. The intention behind VAR is good, but the execution needs to improve. AFCON deserves better consistency.
Do you feel African football is finally getting the global respect it deserves?
I think the respect is growing, but there’s still a long way to go. The talent is undeniable, African players are starring in the biggest leagues and biggest matches. The tournament itself is becoming more professional and more competitive every year. But true global respect will come when African teams consistently go deep at the World Cup. That’s the next big step.
Overall, what are your takeaways from this edition of AFCON?
This AFCON showed once again that African football is unpredictable, emotional and full of incredible stories. Smaller nations pushed the giants, and the giants had to fight for every inch. The level of competition is rising, and the gap between teams is shrinking. It also highlighted the importance of discipline and composure in big moments. The tournament keeps evolving, and that’s exciting to see.
What do you think African nations can take from this tournament into the World Cup this summer?
The biggest lesson is belief. Several teams showed they can compete with anyone when they stay organised and trust their identity. There’s also a tactical maturity developing, teams are pressing smarter, defending as units, and managing games better. If they carry that into the World Cup, Africa could surprise a lot of people. Consistency will be the key.
AFCON returns in 2027, who is in the best shape to win it?
Ivory Coast have some fantastic young players coming through, and they’ll be even stronger by then. Nigeria will also be a major threat with their attacking talent. Morocco might struggle emotionally after coming so close this time, and Senegal and Algeria will have ageing stars in Mané and Mahrez. I predicted Ivory Coast or Nigeria for this edition, and I’ll stick with those two for 2027.
Who was your player of the tournament?
For me, it has to be Sadio Mané. He was the leader, the heartbeat, and the differencemaker for Senegal. He delivered in the big moments and carried himself with real class throughout the tournament. When your star player performs like that, everything becomes easier. He deserved every bit of praise he’s getting.
What have you made of Liam Rosenior’s start at Chelsea?
I think Liam has brought a calmness and clarity that the team really needed. You can already see the structure improving, the players look like they understand their roles and the football has more purpose. He’s also someone who communicates well, and that’s so important with a young squad. Chelsea is a big job for any coach, but he’s handled the pressure with maturity. If the club gives him time, I believe he can build something strong.
What should Chelsea’s aims be for the rest of the season?
For me, the priority is stability. Chelsea need to finish the season with a clear identity and a sense of direction, even more than a specific league position. Of course, European qualification would be a big bonus, but the real goal is consistency — performances that show the team is growing. With so many young players, you can’t expect perfection every week. But you can expect progress, and that’s what the fans want to see.
There are rumours linking Enzo Fernández with Real Madrid — what’s your view on that?
Enzo is a top player, so it’s normal that big clubs are watching him. But I think he still has a lot to give at Chelsea, and he’s only just starting to settle into the rhythm of English football. When you’re part of a longterm project, you need patience, and I believe he can become the leader in this team. Real Madrid will always be attractive, but Chelsea is building something exciting too. If the club keeps the right players together, they can grow into a very strong side.
Chelsea are being heavily linked with Jérémy Jacquet from Rennes, what do you make of the move and the size of the fee?
Jacquet is a talented young defender, and you can see why clubs are watching him, but the fee being mentioned is very high for someone who’s still learning the game. That’s the reality of modern football, potential is expensive, especially when it comes from France, where defenders are produced at a very high level. What matters most is whether Chelsea believe he fits the longterm project, because young centrebacks need time, patience, and the right environment to grow. If the club sees qualities they can develop, then the investment can make sense over the years. But nobody should expect him to walk in and dominate straight away, that’s not fair on the player.
