Renovation and modernisation works have not been left out. The Omar-Bongo de Mvengué International Airport, 25 km from Franceville, is being fully renovated, co-financed by Gabon and the Islamic Development Bank for more than $20 million.

Apart from infrastructural development, urban development in the form of cafes, bistros and bars in neighborhoods have risen or expanded to accommodate the maximum number of customers by offering amenities suitable to watch live football matches on television.

"We must say at the beginning that a sporting event such as the Africa Cup of Nations soccer is primarily a time when countries can better position their brand," said Professor Pius Ottou, economist and lecturer at several universities in Cameroon.

The Africa Cup of Nations has gained in credibility from year to year and has truly become a platform where Africa can present a different picture from the negative stereotypical image perennially shown by Western media, said Ottou.

Junior Binyam, communication officer and spokesman of the Cameroon Football Federation shares this view. "The Africa Cup of Nations has gained more ground in terms of importance for Africans. Today it is a competition that comes right after the World Cup and the Olympic Games in terms of the numbers of viewers," said Binyam. CAN is a great opportunity for host countries to invest in some new infrastructures. Apart from the stadiums the hosting country will include additional investment by constructing new roads and many other infrastructures of development, he added.

The electronics sector also sees a big boom in business during CAN.  People rush out to buy TVs as well as repairing TVs that have stood broken for months.

Around 50,000 to 60,000 supporters are expected in the country during the competition and those attending matches will find ticket prices are kept low at between $6 and $40, said the stadium's project director, Thierry Boussillon.

Jean Paul Akono, former Cameroon football international and coach who won the gold medal with the U-23 Cameroon teamat the Sydney Olympics, believes that CAN is a moment of consecration to the African continent. CAN is considered as the World Cup for Africans. The CAN actually enters the business world, as it requires that a country meet a number of conditions, that includes big high standard hotel infrastructures of communications, playing fields and renovated stadia, he said.

CAN as ambassador

CAN also has a political element as organization negotiations are done by heads of state and in a continent often mired in conflict it contributes to an easing of tension and creating a more positive role for society through sporting discipline. In this regard, football is also considered as the best ambassador for the image of Africans abroad as when national teams win, it unites people.

Prof. Ottou said that when Cameroon had a well functioning first division league there was less social tension in the country than today when stadiums stand empty.

Botswana has also had its spirits lifted after having qualified for the first time, he said. Binyam recalls how while at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa he had discussions with many people who told him that despite not even liking football they were so impressed with the unity across all social groups that the game had brought to all South Africans.

Coach Akono also feels that CAN has an important social contribution. "If you win the trophy or you arrive at least in the final this can strengthen the population of a country and its patriotism and can only bring people closer and make them forget all the usual political divisions and foster more understanding," he said.

A good example of sport ambassadors are Roger Milla and Samuel Eto'o, two legendary Cameroonian players who have raised the image of their country along with Cote d'Ivoire's Didier Drogba who has played a key role in the peace process in his country.

(Reporting from Cameroon)