African Football

[Andresito]

I thought AFCON was going to be played during summers. Why do they keep persisting on playing it in the middle of the season? Is it because of the summer heat?

I understand Liverpool's frustration of losing two of their best players.

 

[FinBarcelonafan]

I thought AFCON was going to be played during summers. Why do they keep persisting on playing it in the middle of the season? Is it because of the summer heat?

I understand Liverpool's frustration of losing two of their best players.

Maybe problem with the temperature? Good time to play football. Reasonable weather but yes,I agree
First of all, a lot of people won't watch it if there's other football going.

They should find a time when they are "the thing" to watch. I think African cup would be in general people's mind after Euro, Copa America etc. Find a spot when there's not much competition and I think it's better.

Africa Cup should be a thing for Europeans too imo
Instead now a lot of Europeans see it as an annoying side thing because it takes away Salahs, Manes of the world from their league.

I will watch Africa Cup first time this year and earlier I mostly followed results or who won. I think they can build this into a bigger thing than what it is, but they need to do it right.

I mean, obviously this matters a lot for people in Africa but in order to gather the eyes from rest of the world, I think they need to think differently..

I see a lot of potential in African Cup. They need to do it right. Somehow market it better. A lot of missed potential imo.


Maybe this comes off as too harsh but my opinion. And hope I didn't offend anyone. My Finnish point of view.

Same problem with America Gold Cup. Nobody cares. They should try to build it bigger too. A lot of potential.

In the end, Africa is the one of the biggest talent pools for football. It should be interesting competition for the future talent and current stars.

 

[Porque]

Just an idea, but could the winner of the ACN face the winner of the Euro? Geographically they are near enough to pull it off.

Maybe play it at the same time period and allow the Euro to give the ACN some rub.

 

[Andresito]

Just an idea, but could the winner of the ACN face the winner of the Euro? Geographically they are near enough to pull it off.

Maybe play it at the same time period and allow the Euro to give the ACN some rub.

Isn't Argentina already going to face Italy? Much bigger interest in watching South American champs vs the European.

 

[Messi983]

I thought AFCON was going to be played during summers. Why do they keep persisting on playing it in the middle of the season? Is it because of the summer heat?

I understand Liverpool's frustration of losing two of their best players.

AFCON in 2023 and 2025 are scheduled to be played in summer. At least for now, who knows if they'll change their minds again.

The tournament was originally scheduled to be played in June and July 2021 but the CAF announced on 15 January 2020 that due to unfavourable climatic conditions during this period, the tournament would take place from 9 January to 6 February 2021.[4] On 30 June 2020, the CAF moved the tournament for the second time to January 2022 following the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic across the continent, whilst retaining the name 2021 Africa Cup of Nations for sponsorship purposes.[5]

Isn't Argentina already going to face Italy? Much bigger interest in watching South American champs vs the European.

Yeah, they'll play in June.

 

[Porque]

Isn't Argentina already going to face Italy? Much bigger interest in watching South American champs vs the European.

Absolutely. But perhaps a ACN/EURO match could take place a week or so after the finals. Atleast it would add relevancy.

 

[Andresito]

Absolutely. But perhaps a ACN/EURO match could take place a week or so after the finals. Atleast it would add relevancy.

That game would be boring though. Winners probably party like crazy after a Euro win, and now a week later they'll have to play a meaningless game after playing their hearts out every three days. I can already see a lot of B-players line up for that match. We already saw how much nations care about Confederations Cup which is sort of the same.

Not to mention selling tickets to a game just 1 week before.

Plus that single game doesn't really help African football at all. Interest in AFCON itself would still be exactly the same.

 

[soul24rage]

A bit unrelated, but would love it if they bring back the FIFA Confederations Cup.

Much better than the expanded FIFA Club World Cup imo.

 

[Messi983]

Absolutely. But perhaps a ACN/EURO match could take place a week or so after the finals. Atleast it would add relevancy.

In case you've forgot we've already had Confedereations Cup that didn't generate much interest. If it would make FIFA money they would surely keep that competition going regardless of public opinion.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FIFA_Confederations_Cup

I'm speaking for myself as I'm not a big fan of international football but I think most people have lost interest in NT football because of general poor quality. Playing more games and creating new competitions won't really help in that aspect.

And playing World Cup every two years (as FIFA - who are only looking for financial gain - wants now) would eventually lead to football's death longterm imo. It could work short term and people would be happy watching more football but as Lewa said players are not robots and can't play international tournament every year after playing 60+ games for their clubs. It would lead to more injuries and potentially shorten top players careers.

 

[Laplacian]

So they're going to have another tournament in 1.5 years?

 

[Redbuck]

So they're going to have another tournament in 1.5 years?

Yeah, due to all the postpondment caused by COVID.

 

[khaled_a_d]

I thought AFCON was going to be played during summers. Why do they keep persisting on playing it in the middle of the season? Is it because of the summer heat?

Yes, not practical to do it in summer unless it is in North Africa (Egypt/Morocco/Algeria/Tunisia/Libya)

 

[Messigician]

If it isn't played summer clubs will not want to sign African players.

A compromise will be just have it take place in North African countries

 

[Rassvet]

I thought they had it in summer of 2019 but then switched back to winter because they thought it worked better then

 

[khaled_a_d]

If it isn't played summer clubs will not want to sign African players.

A compromise will be just have it take place in North African countries

They have signed them through past 3 decades with no issue.