African Sports Monthly January 2013 Issue | Page 21

get their money’s worth from them.
However when you sign African players, you know that there is the possibility that you might have to be without
them in January of every other year that
the AFCON showcase is held if their
countries should make it there. You
could argue that maybe European clubs
should not sign them but then does anyone really think that if a player of the
ilk and caliber of a Yaya Toure or
Didier Drogba is available out there in
Africa that a premiership club would
not be interested?
Africa has already made a lot of concessions for their players by playing less
Yaya Toure of Manchester city
and less friendlies in their homelands.
Most friendly matches these days tend
to take place in France, Switzerland or in London. The exceptions appear
to be the North African countries.
CAF has also moved the African Cup of Nations to an odd year starting
from 2013, so that it does not take place in the same year as the World
Cup. I will not say I am happy with these decisions and often wonder
why Issa Hayatou the CAF president did not see this as an opportunity to
assert himself. It seems to me that Africa has sold its birthright. Even the
rights to the Nations Cup qualifiers and the tournament itself are owned
by a company in Europe!
What I find intere sting is that here in the UK where I am based all I hear
about is equality and diversity. I also hear noises about kicking racism
out of football. But would you not agree with me that the way the Nations
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