get their money’s worth from them. However when you sign African play- ers, you know that there is the possibil- ity 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 any- one 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 conces- sions for their players by playing less 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.
Yaya Toure of Manchester city
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 interesting 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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