LOVE and passion is on the menu at one of Bolton Market’s best loved street stalls to mark the start of an international football tournament.

NKONO, which sells homemade African cuisine with fresh produce from the market, served up some special dishes to coincide with the kick off of the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations.

Customers enjoyed some ‘elephant and roast duck’ (it was just duck) sandwiches in honour of tournament favourites Ivory Coast, who are nicknamed The Elephants, Nigerian-style roast salmon with yajee spiced potatoes and fried plantains, known as ‘azingo’, a speciality in Gabon. There was even majekele chickpeas, to represent DR Congo.

Owner of NKONO and head chef Alain Job said food, culture and football go hand-in-hand in the world’s largest continent, and that he was delighted to be celebrating all three in Bolton.

He said: “I always cook with love and passion, but this time I’m giving extra love and passion for this great tournament.

“That is what African football and people are all about. The food shows the intensity, temperament and emotion of the place it comes from.” Mr Job, who hails from Cameroon, said he will be supporting his home country – who he thinks have a good chance – but was looking forward to the whole event.