As excitement builds for AFCON 2025, some of Africa’s biggest football legends are teaming up for a different kind of victory, ending polio for good. In a powerful new campaign called “Kick Out Polio”, six celebrated players are urging families, leaders, and communities across the continent to protect every child through vaccination.
In partnership with the Global Polio Eradication Initiative, the campaign uses the influence of football to push one message: Africa is close to eradicating polio, but we must finish the job.
Why This Campaign Matters
Polio is a highly infectious disease that once paralyzed more than 1,000 children every day. Thanks to decades of vaccination efforts, the world is closer than ever to wiping it out, saving over 20 million children from paralysis and more than 1.5 million lives so far.
Africa has made major progress, but outbreaks still appear in several countries, especially in areas affected by conflict, low vaccination coverage, and strained health systems. This final phase of eradication is the toughest, and the continent needs collective action to push polio out for good.
Football Legends Leading the Fight
The “Kick Out Polio” campaign features African stars including:
- Sébastien Haller (Côte d’Ivoire)
- Naby Keïta (Guinea)
- Fabrice Ondoa (Cameroon)
- Rodolfo Bodipo Díaz (Equatorial Guinea)
- Michael Essien (Ghana)
- Bruno Ecuele Manga (Gabon)
These players are sharing their personal journeys of resilience and launching a special AFCON-themed football challenge on social media, using their influence to remind parents and leaders that big challenges can be defeated, including polio.
Africa’s Recent Progress
Despite funding gaps and vaccine hesitancy, African countries continue to make strides. Between January and October 2025, 15 countries vaccinated nearly 200 million children. Massive synchronized campaigns across the Horn of Africa, the Sahel, and the Lake Chad Basin prove that cross-border collaboration saves lives.
What the Footballers Are Saying
Their messages are simple, powerful, and full of hope:
- Michael Essien: “I faced many challenges in my football career. African children deserve the chance to overcome theirs. Let’s eliminate this last percentage of polio.”
- Naby Keïta: “Vaccination is what will save us. Take your children — it matters.”
- Bruno Ecuele Manga: “African leaders must stay united. We must defeat polio for the sake of our youth.”
- Fabrice Ondoa: “It’s time for Africa to give polio a red card.”
- Rodolfo Bodipo Díaz: “Together, we can eradicate this disease.”
- Sébastien Haller: “A polio-free Africa will be a great victory for our children.”
The Call to Action
The “Kick Out Polio” campaign encourages every family, community leader, government, and health worker to stay committed until polio is completely wiped out. Immunizing every child is the most effective shield and Africa has the power to finish what it started.
As AFCON 2025 kicks off, these football icons are reminding the continent that true victory lies in protecting the next generation.