Africa Cup of Nations big experience for Daniel Francis
African Cup of Nations came to an end on Sunday with Senegal beating Egypt on penalties in the final.
Much of the talk in the build up to the game was about two of the continent’s biggest stars, Liverpool duo Sadio Mane and Mo Salah, going head to head for the trophy.
But a lesser-heralded name from Bradford was also at the tournament in Cameroon.
Nineteen-year-old Daniel Francis was in the Bradford City youth academy, and played alongside the likes of Reece Staunton and Kian Scales.
But he moved to German fourth-tier side Rot Weiss Ahlen last February, and having established himself in the first team there, he made his international debut for Sierra Leone, his father’s homeland, late last year.
And after just a couple of friendlies, he was then selected for Africa’s biggest tournament at the start of this year.
Discussing his experience in Cameroon, Francis told the T&A: “It was an honour to be there, and I still can’t believe it.
“It was a great experience for everyone involved with Sierra Leone to be at such a big tournament, especially me at my age.”
Sierra Leone did brilliantly to get draws with Algeria and Ivory Coast in their first two games, giving them a great chance of qualifying for the last 16.
Francis said: “People wrote us off before those two games, saying we’d get hammered.
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“But we showed our skill and the right attitude, proving we can do anything, and ended up with two amazing results.”
A draw for Sierra Leone in their final game against Equatorial Guinea would have seen them through, but they lost 1-0, with veteran striker Kei Kamara missing a late penalty.
Francis said: “That last game was heartbreaking, but we’re a good bunch of lads, and after the game we were all there for Kei, because it’s a big thing to miss a penalty when your whole country is depending on you.”
Talking about life at Rot Weiss Ahlen, Francis said: “It’s an advantage for me speaking fluent German, as that’s where my mum’s from.
“So in that sense there was no problem moving out there, the only big difference was that I was going to be living on my own.
“But that’s just part of growing up, and it’s only the same as what my friends are doing at university in England.”
Francis’ contract runs out this summer, but he said: “I’m holding out to see where we finish in the table before I decide on my future.
“When I came in last season we were bottom, and only just avoided relegation.
“It wasn’t a comfortable situation but it was good to help, and now we’re in mid-table.
“I feel English and I like England, but it was going to Germany that got me into the national team and the African Cup of Nations, so I need to think about my next move in terms of what’s best for my footballing career.”
Could a romantic return to Bradford City be on the cards?
Francis said: “I think English academies are the best place to be as a young footballer.
“Bradford is home and I enjoyed my time at the club, but it ended in disappointment.
“I was informed I wouldn’t be getting a new contract, even though I’d been told all year I was in line for one, and then I got injured just after that news.
“That’s not a criticism of City though, as that’s just football, and that kind of thing can happen to any player.”