“Every club knows about the problem”
Such a “solution” to the problem is no longer possible since the world football association FIFA modified and clear rules for the obligation to leave the tournament: 14 days before the start of the tournament, the nominated players must only be available to their national teams.
“Every European club that signs an African player knows about this problem”, says Osasu Obayiuwana, sports journalist from Nigeria in an interview with the sports show. “It is simply disrespectful when the right to exist for the Africa Cup is discussed over and over again. The clubs operate in a globally accepted market. And when they sign a player, they have to respect his or her origin and culture.”, thinks Obayiuwana.
“Lack of respect”
Ajax Amsterdam striker Sébastien Haller criticized the way the media dealt with players in an interview with the Dutch newspaper “De Telegraaf”. The question of whether it would be better to stay in the Netherlands to play there shows “the lack of respect for Africa”said the Ivorian international. “Would this question ever be asked of a European player before the European Championships?”
The two are supported by Gernot Rohr, who was the head coach of the Nigerian national team until the beginning of December. “The Africa Cup is the fifth largest sporting event in the world. It definitely deserves more respect than it has received so far, especially in Europe”says the 68-year-old to the sports show.
Civil war threat
It remains to be seen how the organizers of the event will fare this time. The 2019 Cup was withdrawn from Cameroon at short notice because the preparatory work was not completed on time. Now the tournament will take place in Cameroon at a time when the country is in the midst of civil war. An English-speaking minority from the west of the country is fighting for its independence, the ruling Francophone faction is fighting back the insurgents by force of arms.
Then there is the corona issue. According to the latest calculations, not even three percent of the population in Cameroon is vaccinated. However, under pressure from the world association FIFA, the organizers have stipulated that only those who have been fully vaccinated will be allowed access to the stadiums. In any case, you will have to do without the euphoric stadium atmosphere that is typical for Africa Cups.
Status: 05.01.2022, 10:07