Column African Nations Cup Michael Tracey 13/09/2007 13comments | Jump to last Isn't it about time that this whole African Nations Cup fiasco was sorted out? Now I for one think that International Football is very important and do not discredit the importance of The African Nations Cup but whay does it continually have to be in the middle of the season? The players get paid a lot of money to play Club football now and it seems that every January we seem to have to lose a lot of players not just from our club but others to. I came from Australia and we are an extremely small fish in Football terms but even we play our domestic football in line with the rest of the world. We have even moved from our original Oceania Zone to Asia so we could become more competative and of course to make it more convenient for Australia as well. The Asian Nations Cup was just held recently and that was in the off season. I think you will find that the Asian National Teams fair a lot better than the African ones in the World Cups. I really think this needs to be looked at! We will be missing four players from an already small squad. Two of them in Joey Yobo and Yakuba are definite first-team walk-up starts. Maybe Pienaar will be also cemented by then as well so this is really cause for concern. There is too much International Football and don't get me started on the friendlies. Just as the season gets going its either qualifying or an International Friendly break about 3 weeks into a season which all of us have been waiting for with anticiaption since May. It sucks! Reader Comments Note: the following content is not moderated or vetted by the site owners at the time of submission. Comments are the responsibility of the poster. Disclaimer Ray 1 Posted 13/09/2007 at 07:19:12 Report abuse If all the FA’s had to pay the wages of the players that they use for an International that takes place during the season then the number of Internationals would drastically reduce.The ludicrous idea to play the African Nations Cup during the European season is a farce and FIFA should address the many concerns that clubs such as ours have. Imagine a worse case scenario.Yobo, Yak, Vic all come back with long term injuries which results in us failing to qualify for Europe next season. It could cost us millions yet these Mickey Mouse FA’s continue to hold tournaments during our season. Dave Reade 2 Posted 13/09/2007 at 08:55:09 Report abuse The African players are in a catch 22 position. If they dont play in the Cup then they lose their international status which in turn means they lose their work permit. I am no weather expert but I presume Africa is very hot all year round but the temperature in January must be at its coolest to play football. I have been to Dubai in Jan its 22C in June 42C only footballers and Wags are daft enough to go their in the summer. Dave Reade 3 Posted 13/09/2007 at 08:58:49 Report abuse I know Dubai isnt in Africa by the way Alisdair Denny 4 Posted 13/09/2007 at 10:23:28 Report abuse It depends on which part of Africa you are in. If you are north of the equator, January will be cooler than July, but south of the Equator, January will be hotter. Michael Fish 5 Posted 13/09/2007 at 11:15:51 Report abuse The cup is in Ghana in JanuarySince Ghana is only a few degrees north of the equator, the only seasonal changes are distinct wet and dry seasons. The best time to visit is during the December-February dry season, when day temperatures are in the 80s-90s F/27-36 C and nights in the 70s F/18-26 C Lee Spargo 6 Posted 13/09/2007 at 12:39:23 Report abuse If clubs have a problem with it then they shouldn’t buy African players - simple.There are too many end-of-season international tournaments already. As an example, Tim Cahill is knackered - he hasn’t had a free summer break for about 5 years. Whilst i’ll be disappointed to see us lose our African players in the new year, I’ll be pleased when we come to the start of next season and they’re all a lot fresher than their European counterparts who’ve playing in the Euro Championships during the hottest time of the year.Australia haven’t been more competative since they moved to the Asian ’zone’. Didn’t they get dumped out of a championship early on when they were favourites to win it?As for Asian countriesdoing better in world cups well, thats a matter of perspective really. No Asian or African nation have ever got as far as a sem-final. Japan did well in 2002 if I remember - but that was on home soil. I think Cameroon did OK in 1990. Apart from that, I cant think of any others. bolt from the blue 7 Posted 13/09/2007 at 14:50:30 Report abuse Actually, South Korea got to the World Cup Semis in 2002. Bluebyu 8 Posted 13/09/2007 at 20:45:43 Report abuse The African nations cup has been going for many years and always on these dates.If you sign African players expect to lose them on these dates. Ziggy McGrath 9 Posted 13/09/2007 at 20:54:27 Report abuse I fully agree - in the same way clubs possessing skilful Argentinians and Brazilians complain about the number of friendlies played by the South American giants, the answer is simple. Don’t buy them. I’m sure clubs factor in the losses, not to do so is a terrible lack of foresight.We should be on our knees thanking the African countries for providing such gifted footballers. In return I think it’s only fair that these players represent their countries whenever they want to. Michael Tracey 10 Posted 14/09/2007 at 01:41:00 Report abuse Australia made the quarter finals and went out on penalties. I feel Australia is a better team for being in Asia. I find it amazing that Africa is the only region that chooses to play there championship in the middle of season. There has to be a little give or take. Although yes they are very good players they do get paid a lot money by there European employers. I agre with Ray if they are going to continue along this line then they should have to pay the wages of these players when they are playing in this during season tournament. This however would not be possible as I think you will find the African Federation would go bankrupt. Dan Brierley 11 Posted 14/09/2007 at 03:19:13 Report abuse Alisdair,So if you put your left foot on one side of the equator, and the right on the other, would you feel the difference? On the ANC, it is unfortunate that we will lose these players. However as all leagues have players from all over the world, it is impossible to keep everybody happy. We have survived without these players before, and no doubt we will survive again. As has already been pointed out, the club knows these risks before signing the players. You just have to live with it. Roll on Ukraine! 20p a pint, get in.... Taf Rail 12 Posted 14/09/2007 at 10:06:57 Report abuse Wait until all the G14 teams start to suffer and then we will see if we just have to live with it. Better still how about no teams just not sign African players?(as if!).Say to any of these player hey choose your country and play your club football in Africa or Make ridiculous money and play in Europe I know what they would choose! Fifa should step in and suggest they come into line with the rest of the world. Maybe threaten World Cup spots. I think that these players need to remember who gives them there very priveliged wealth James Elworthy 13 Posted 14/09/2007 at 12:27:52 Report abuse As already stated if the African players do not play in the ANC they lose their work permits, or at least the ones playing here do. I dont think they bother in France or Belgium so much with permits as all the Ivory Coast players come through that loophole that Arsenal sign up © ToffeeWeb