Okocha faults AFCON tournament timing

Forum 3 months ago

Okocha faults AFCON tournament timing

Former Super Eagles captain, Austine Jay Jay Okocha has faulted the timing of the Africa Cup of Nations.

The biennial competition is usually played in the middle of the European season.

The timing of Africa’s biggest soccer competition has generated heated discord between clubs and participating countries.

The AFCON falls within the Federation of International Football Association (FIFA) calendar and clubs are mandated to release players 14 days before the start of the competition.

Okocha, who won the 1994 AFCON title with Nigeria insists having the competition in the middle of the season is unfair.

“They’ve made it so difficult for African players by playing in January or starting the season and winter break very, very early,” Okocha told BBC Sport Africa.

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?

The upcoming 2023 AFCON finals which will be hosted by Cote d’Ivoire will run from January 13 to February 11.