Demba Ba, Papiss Demba Cisse and ACoN

When Ba and Cisse come back from the ACoN I'm assuming they'll be fairly knackered. Usually when someone gets back from a big tournament they are given extra leave/holidays, for instance at the beginning of a season after the World Cup, players are often given a couple of weeks extra hols before returning to pre-season training.

Do you think Pards will give them a week off or anything?

Demba Ba, Superstar, how many goals have you scored so far?

 

Also, did anyone else see that article saying there is an African Cup of Nations this year and next year, or have I misunderstood?

Here's the bit I was referring to, from the Daily Mail:

"The appealing escape clause in Demba Ba's contract should be weighed against the fact that 2012 and 2013 are back-to-back years for the Africa Cup of Nations, so he will miss a significant chunk of next season, too. This could also explain Chelsea's seemingly bizarre decision to play hardball with Didier Drogba over his contract."

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/ar...hester-United-makes-sense--Martin-Samuel.html

 

ACon next year as well

 

How is the structure of the ACoN like? Why are they going to be gone again next year?!

 

yep apparently its in south africa in 2013 again, maybe due to the 2014 world cup?? who knows.....

 

Isn't next year's ACoN (and subsequent one's) being held in June/July though so as to not interfere with most country's domestic seasons? Would make sense as July/August is South Africa's winter months.

 

I can understand the importance of promoting football on the continent and giving African fans a chance to see the players who play abroad, but every other year in the middle of the season is a right pain in the arse.

 

To the original post .. no way .. these guys will be pumped to get playing with each other, the African guys are not whiney girls like the European players .. get the Double D's out (on the pitch) immediately I say ..

 

I have always assumed this, but never seen confirmation of dates. It would be stupid to have it in January!

 

It has to be moved to summer months by 2016, Demba and Papiss will be 30 by then. Looks like we are losing them this yr, next yr and 2015 if they are still here

 

Not buying this knackered lark like............................what about George Best when he used to make love to three women in the 24 hours before a match. Never put him off his stride!

 

For what it's worth .. this was on the SSN pages:

* The AFCON has, for the most part, been staged every two years since it was held in Ethiopia in 1968. However, as of 2013, the tournament will switch to being held in odd-numbered years so as not to clash with the FIFA World Cup.

And then managed to find this on the 2013 dates .. seems it's in January again by the looks of things

Early september and mid octomber dates accomodate the second and final round of eliminators with 15 overall winners joining host South Africa next january for a second cup of nation within 13 months.

 

Am I right in saying that South Africas climate isn't that hot even in Summer? It really wouldn't make sense shifting to June/July when the majority of hosts are Northern hemisphere or equatorial, it would be like holding a World Cup in the middle east in summer...

I've no big issue with it, price you pay when you sign African players. I'd make an analogy about it being like asking English players to miss the Euros, but sadly they probably wouldn't give a toss. No problem at all with the African lads having some pride in their nationality.

 

We obviously know Demba, Papiss and Sow are class. Lets hope the rest of the team is utter gash, they get knocked out early and don't qualify for any future tournaments. A win win all round!!

 

Well on the week they get back we have Wolves, so perhaps we can just give them both cameo appearances.

 

I don't think they'll need much rest but Pards is likely to be hoping that we're in such good form he has the luxury of easing them in. We'll see. As for the ACON, i know we'd all prefer we kept them all season but it doesn't work out too bad with regards giving others games. By then Shola and Lover may have moved on to be replaced by a European based striker to complement Bestie and Benni. They are both worth the hassle regardless of the ACON.