ACTUALITE |
24.11.2005
CAN 2006 : Club-Versus-Country Row Begins
Many African players in European leagues are torn between clubs and their national selections as the Nations Cup approaches.
The friction between European clubs and African national teams on the availability of players for appointments with their national sides will soon begin as another African Cup of Nations approaches. Many players are presently torn between their clubs and countries and have to decide where their loyalty lies before the competition begins on January 20, 2006. The crux of the chaos, which has deepened due to the good performances of many African players in the various European leagues over the years, is that clubs are unwilling to release their prized assets during the crucial point in their leagues, while African countries and CAF want the finest crop of players from the continent to participate in Africa’s biggest football bonanza. Coaches and national football associations of the 16 teams taking part in the competition, have to go through the herculean task of convincing their star players to put on the national colours.
Cameroon’s striker, Samuel Eto`o, for example, could miss out on next year`s African Cup of Nations in order to put up a spirited fight for the best goal poacher with Barcelona. Many people believe Eto`o missed the Indomitable Lions` friendly against Morocco last week in order to prepare for Barcelona`s match against arch-rivals Real Madrid. "Eto`o intends not to go to the Cup of Nations in order to concentrate only on Barca," ran a headline in the Barcelona-based sports daily El Mundo Deportivo on Monday. Barcelona have three league matches during the period of the Cup of Nations. The Spanish Cup quarter and semi-finals are also scheduled for that period. This would be too much for any key player to miss. "Eto`o has placed the club above everything. Playing in the Spanish league will permit him to keep trying for the European Golden Boot," commented the newspaper. A public statement on the issue is expected from Eto`o in the next few days. Another striker, Yakubu Ayegbeni of Nigeria, has admitted he would rather help his club, Middlesborough, to a good finish in the English Premiership than go to next year`s African Nations Cup with Nigeria.
Over the years, several players have found themselves in this dilemma. Some club managers have made matters worse as they use threats of players losing their places in their teams as intimidation. As a result of this ugly tactic, some of Africa’s finest players have always been absent from the Cup of Nations. Under FIFA rules, however, national federations have the power to make players dance to their tune. This is because CAN is a recognised event on FIFA’s international calendar. Following the "uniform world calendar" which harmonises all football dates worldwide, clubs must release players two weeks before a major tournament. Unfortunately, during this period, league matches continue in Europe. Players who find themselves in a fix thus have no other option but to negotiate with the national associations.
Some European clubs and even players say to avoid the club versus country row the African Cup of Nations finals should be held at a similar time to the European Championships. Issa Hayatou, boss of African football`s governing body CAF, has ignored such calls saying it`s not possible to play in July because of the prevailing climate on the African continent. From a cynical point of view, the absence of some key players at the Nations Cup will also give an opportunity for new faces to be seen. For, above everything else, nature abhors vacuum. And who knows, such new players might provide the missing knot in the quest of many teams for a new identity!
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Hits: 1 | Source:cameroon-tribune.cm | |
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