‘We’ve got a chance to win it all!’: NBA superstar Joel Embiid discusses his love of Cameroon at the Africa Cup of Nations

Warning: People in the vicinity may hear cheering — “It’s messed up,” Embiid quickly concludes. “When it always comes to Africa, I feel like there’s always kind of double standards. I never hear any complaints when it comes to the European Cup or any other cups.”[AFCON]’s a little different because obviously it’s going on during the season over there, and some of the best players, when you talk about someone like Mo Salah or Sadio [Mané] they’re supposed to be playing for their clubs. But I also appreciate them wanting to just go back and represent their country, which is good.”I think we’re still earning our respect … when you look at the success that Africa has in general, we have a lot of talent. Not just in football but in basketball or other sports too. Over time, we’re going to overcome that but it’s getting there slowly.”As for the big man himself, when asked what would mean more to him — Cameroon triumphing at AFCON or Embiid winning MVP — he smiles. “That’s tough! I want both — both would be great!”It would have been a better question if you were to ask me between Cameroon winning or me winning a championship!” Asked then which he would prefer, Embiid said, “Both would be great, like I said, I’m a competitor — I want to win.”After detailing the hard work Cameroon made of their previous opponents Comoros, as the continental minnows played much of the match with 10 men and the entire game with an outfield player in goal, Embiid gives a message to the team of his heart ahead of the challenges which await.”Go out there and keep doing whatever they’ve been doing. At the end, they’ve been doing great. They have our full support to continue to do so and I really hope that they’re able to keep that cup in our home territory, so I’m gonna keep supporting them. Like I said, I’m going to be watching the rest of the games.”Will we see another iconic celebration like Embiid’s Twitter video of Max Verstappen’s maiden Formula One title if the Indomitable Lions pull off their sixth AFCON crown? “I hope the excitement of when we get to the final is the same thing [as the F1 finale]. We might get one!”