Its Not Fair Okocha Unhappy With AFCON Tournament Timing

Nigeria legend Austin Jay Jay Okocha has canvassed for a change in the timing of the Africa Cup of Nations.

Africas flagship soccer competition is usually played in the middle of the European season.

Some European clubs will face a number of weeks without their first team regulars.

The timing of the competition has
triggered criticism from some quarters in the past.

Okocha, who won the Nations Cup with Nigeria in 1994 posited that the timing of the biennial tournament can have a big impact on players amid congested calendars.

Theyve made it so difficult for African players by playing in January or starting the season and winter break very, very early, Okocha told the BBC World Service.

If they can move the World Cup to December because of the heat to suit the nations that are participating, why cant they do something about the Nations Cup, and work together so that it will not affect anybody?

I know a lot of coaches that refuse to sign African players because of the January (Afcon) window, but they will sign Brazilians who go to play in the Copa America in the summer. Its not fair.

Cote dIvoire will host the 2023 edition of the competition from January 13 to February 11, 2024.