On the eve of the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations, more than 25 footballers, including Seydou Keita from Mali, Charles Kaboré from Burkina Faso, Demba Bâ from Sénégal and Lawali Idrissa from Niger, have pledged solidarity with millions of people facing hunger across their region. The football stars appealed to the international community to work together so that “We CAN win the match against hunger”. Mali and Barcelona football star, Seydou Keita said “If we act now we could save the lives of women and children who are always the first victims of food crises.” “If we act urgently, millions of children will be saved from malnutrition and will have the chance to grow healthily and to succeed at school.”