I just read on an Arsenal blog that there is another African Cup of Nations next January. Any truth to this?
Apparently as of 2013, it will be held on odd-numbered years so as not to clash with the World Cup. PITA I know.....
yes this is true. We were lucky not lose Song AND Gervinho this year - next year I suspect Cameroon will qualify.
I don't know why the ACON needs to be every bloody 2 years anyway. I'd be reluctant to buy African players if I was a manager if truth be told.
The African cupof nations has being going longer than the European championships ... We have only noticed it since African players have played here... It amazes me how European clubs complain about African countries wanting their international players to play in their 2nd most important tournament (after the world cup)...or that African players want to play in it.
I would contest the assertion that the ACON is the 2nd most important tournament. Copa America? Euros?
I don't think anyone would dispute that it should exist and even that it happens mid-season but there's no need for it being every two years.
The issue is that it is every 2 years. It should be every 4 years like every other major continental tournament. The Copa America has changed to a 4 year cycle, why not the ACN?
It baffles me, it makes no sense. I am sure it is harming African football because only the top Africans will be tolerated disappearing every 2 years because they can get away with it, the rest I am sure will be seen in a bad light leaving their clubs.
It'll still put clubs off signing an average African, in my opinion. The Toures and Bas will always have a decent club interested but if you're Ghana's third choice keeper playing in the french lower leagues then it makes sense that your club would get tired of you pissing off ever two years.
Why should a tournament that has so much history change cos we dont like it ir cos we find it inconvenient? Would we like to change to say having a 39th match overseas cos sky want it? Tradition of the ACON is important and should not have to change cos its a pain to us.
Why cant they run it duing the summer months? makes no sense. Completely bizzare. I think more african players will retire for internationals. Like Prince Boeteng at Milan. He retired from ghana and he is easily one of the best african players around at the moment.
Maybe cos it is dangerously hot in the summer months? Maybe cos they dont see why they should change cos European clubs demand it? To be honest if clubs dont want to lose key players then they dont have to buy them...simples.
