Super Eagles legend Austin Jay Jay Okocha canvasses for the adjustment in date for the Africa Cup Of Nations (AFCON) npflupdates.com reports.
Okocha is of the opinion that the biennial tournament be adjusted to a later time and season of the year so it won’t affect African players playing abroad.
Also read: Okocha Reveals 2 African Legends He’d Have Loved To Play Alongside
Most AFCON tournaments are usually played during the Winter; and during that time football activities are ongoing in lost leagues abroad, making clubs reluctant in releasing their players of African extraction.
Okocha talks about AFCON poor timing
In an interview with BBC Sport Africa, the ex-Frankfurt player explained the timing of the AFCON tournament can have a big impact on players amid congested calendars.
The former Paris St-Germain midfielder, stressed that if FIFA can move the date of a world cup, then CAF can make some adjustments to accommodate players in Europe.
“They’ve made it so difficult for African players by playing in January or starting the season and winter break very, very early. If they can move the World Cup to December because of the heat to suit the nations that are participating, why can’t they do something about the Nations Cup, and work together so that it will not affect anybody?”Okocha said.
Okocha argued that clubs are sometimes sceptical about signing African players because of the timing of the AFCON tournament.
Few years ago, Napoli President Aurelio Di Laurentiis, opined that the Italian club will no longer sign African players; except if the player can excuse himself from the AFCON.
“I know a lot of coaches that refuse to sign African players because of the January window, but they will sign Brazilians who go to play in the Copa America in the summer. It’s not fair,” the former Bolton midfielder added.
Also read: Okocha Reveals The Reason Super Eagles Failed In W’Cup Qualifiers
Nigeria will hope to win a fourth title, after winning it’s third a decade ago in South Africa.
