players at least 14 days before the tournaments starts. However clubs are often reluctant to even release their players in the first place and some of them negotiate for their players to join up later. Some players have to play 75% of their national teams’ matches in order for them to obtain a work permit. For most of these players, it is playing for their national team that has brought them into the limelight, thus alerting clubs around Europe about their talent and ability. So why is this tournament not re- spected in Europe considering it has been going on longer than the Euro- pean Championships?
When the likes of Brazil have friendlies (not to talk about competitive matches) clubs release their players without any arguments. The same applies to England. All I can deduce from the attitudes of clubs around Europe is that some of them are disrespectful! In this day and age where money rules over everything else, African teams have virtually given up the right to hold friendlies in Africa. Most of them now take place in Europe! The argument is that it is easy for most of the players to meet up in Europe and would not have far to travel. Although they might have a point, what about the fans in Africa? Are they not entitled to watch their heroes in a friendly in their country? Have we sold our soul for money? Are we really sure that the colonial days are over? Hmmmmm!
Football Fans Should Stay Humble
Just like most of the journalists I know I am also a football fan. I have seen a lot of things during my time as a journalist. Football clubs go through various cycles. Back in the day Nottingham Forest won back-to- back European Cups before after they won the league within a year of be- ing promoted to the top tier of English Football under Brian Clough. These days they are in the Championship. Leeds United who won the last league title in the Old First Division before the inception of the Premier League now find themselves in the Championship after dropping into
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