Excellencies,

Across Africa, athletes capture attention, inspire millions and bring people together. From football’s biggest continental competitions like the women’s and men’s Africa Cup of Nations, to the Youth Olympic Games, their influence reaches far beyond sports.

Yet another decisive match is being played away from the spotlight. Its prize is not a trophy.

Its victory is measured in lives protected. Its opponent is polio.

We refuse to accept that even one child should lose the game before they ever get the chance to play. That is why we are proud to stand alongside the African football players and athletes who have used, and will continue to use, their voices to champion the cause of ending polio across the continent.

In football, a team does not win because of the talent of a single player. It wins through strategy, investment, a strong defence, and trust among everyone on the team. The same is true in the fight against polio.

Vaccines are our best strikers. Health workers are our defenders. Communities are our supporters.

Young people are ready to step onto the field to raise awareness, build trust, and mobilize others.

But no match is ever won without a captain.

Excellencies, that captain’s armband belongs to you.

We call on you to continue your efforts to keep vaccination at the heart of national priorities; to ensure sustainable financing for immunization programmes; to reach every child who is still missing life-saving vaccines; to strengthen health systems and disease surveillance; and to recognize young people as full partners in shaping and delivering public health policies.

History will remember the athletes and teams who inspired Africa during major sporting competitions, but most importantly, it will also remember the leaders who safeguarded the progress achieved and gave Africa a victory that can never be taken away: a continent where no child is ever again paralysed by a preventable disease.

The final whistle is approaching.

We cannot allow polio to win in the closing minutes.

Together, with you as captains, let us score the winning goal to #KickOutPolio and give Africa its greatest victory: Zero Polio. Forever.