African Footballers Join Forces in “Kick Out Polio “Campaign Ahead of AFCON 2025 Cotonou, Benin — As the continent gears up for the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2025, a group of prominent African footballers is using their platform to combat a pressing health issue.
The campaign, titled “Kick Out Polio, “is a partnership between the Global Polio Eradication Initiative and six celebrated African footballers, including Sébastien Haller of Côte d’Ivoire and Michael Essien of Ghana. Polio, a highly infectious and disabling disease, once paralyzed over 1,000 children daily.
Thanks to global collaboration, the world is on the brink of eradicating the disease, which has saved an estimated 20 million children from paralysis and 1.
5 million lives.
However, Africa continues to face challenges with polio outbreaks in several countries, putting children at risk.
The “Kick Out Polio “campaign aims to unite families, government leaders, youth, and community and civil society leaders to increase efforts to vaccinate every child against polio.
The footballers are sharing their journeys of perseverance and launching a football challenge on social media to show that even the toughest challenges can be overcome. Despite challenges such as funding cuts, conflict, vaccine hesitancy, and strained health systems, Africa has made strides against polio.
Between January and October 2025, 15 countries reached nearly 200 million children with life-saving polio vaccines.
Coordinated campaigns across regions have demonstrated the power of cross — border collaboration, protecting tens of millions of children. Michael Essien emphasized the importance of vaccination, saying, “Polio is an illness that we simply need to take seriously.
People need to go for vaccinations, take your children.
Vaccination is what will save us. Officials commented on the matter.
Africa, it is our turn to give a red card to polio.”
The campaign calls for everyone in the region to support the urgent need to vaccinate every child against polio until the virus is wiped out for good. With renewed commitment from governments, communities, and families, Africa can kick out polio.
UNICEF, which promotes the rights and well — being of every child, is working in partnership with their partners to translate this commitment into practical action, focusing on reaching the most vulnerable and excluded children.
The “Kick Out Polio “campaign, supported by African football legends, underscores the power of sports and community engagement in addressing critical health issues.
As the continent prepares for AFCON 2025, these athletes are not only showcasing their skills on the pitch but also their dedication to a healthier Africa.
