Ivory Coast is gearing up to host the 34th edition of this biennial football tournament, showcasing the continent’s top talents.
Jay Jay Okocha recently shared his thoughts on the schedule of the African Cup of Nations.
While fans and stakeholders eagerly anticipate the kickoff of what promises to be a riveting festival of football, a wave of discontent ripples through elite clubs across Europe due to the tournament schedule.
Notably, Serie A champions Napoli, highflying Atalanta, Liverpool, and Bayer Leverkusen find themselves aggrieved as they are set to be without key players for the duration of the competition, potentially impacting their season.
Amidst the countdown to the tournament, Austin Jay-Jay Okocha, the legendary Super Eagles of Nigeria midfielder and 1994 AFCON winner, has taken a stand against the organising body, criticising the timing of the event and its repercussions on African players in European leagues.
Okocha on AFCON timing
In an interview with the BBC, the 50-year-old retired midfielder expressed his dissatisfaction with the AFCON schedule, stating,
“They’ve made it so difficult for African players by playing in January or starting the season and winter break very, very early.”
Okocha questioned why adjustments couldn’t be made similar to the World Cup’s move to December for weather considerations, advocating for collaborative efforts to mitigate the impact on players.
The former Bolton midfielder further underscored the adverse effects of the competition on the careers of several African stars, noting,
“I know a lot of coaches that refuse to sign African players because of the January (AFCON) window, but they will sign Brazilians who go to play in the Copa America in the summer. It’s not fair.”
Interestingly, Okocha’s sentiments echo those of Atalanta’s coach Gasparini
The 65-year-old is visibly displeased with the extended absence of his star forward, Ademola Lookman, during the 2023 edition of the competition, scheduled from January 13 to February 11, 2024.
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