DAR ES SALAAM, Oct. 16 -- AFRICAN football legend Didier Drogba has urged Tanzanians to use the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) to attract investment, promote tourism and create jobs for young people beyond the football pitch.

The former Chelsea player made the statement immediately upon his arrival at the Julius Nyerere International Airport in Dar es Salaam on Friday, ahead of the continental tournament, stating that football competitions offer employment opportunities in areas such as pitch maintenance, equipment care and other support services often overlooked by the public.

“People always tend to think that football means you have to be a football player or a manager. No, there are a lot of roles around football,” he...