Sadio Mane, Victor Osimhen, Andre Onana, Achraf Hakimi, Mohamed Kudus, these are the famous players from the African continent who are currently batting. competing in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, with Ivory Coast Host the competition
The Africa Cup of Nations is a continental football tournament on the same level as the Euro and Asian Cups, but is held every two years, unlike other tournaments that are held every four. years, making the program perhaps not very appealing to fans of European clubs Because their club had to lose players to the national team. For a period of months Because the competition period coincides with the European league schedule.
But why is the Africa Cup of Nations held every two years? Moreover, it clashes with the league schedule. Until it became dissatisfied with many parties involved. But the Confederation of African Football is insisting on holding the tournament the way it was before.
Every action has a reason. But what reason would that be? Find the answer together at the Main Stand.
cup of freedom
The Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) is a continental tournament established in 1957 that is older than the Euros, which was founded in 1960. It has emerged amid a struggle for international recognition. Both politically and in football terms After many countries in Africa gained independence from colonization by European and South American powers,
The first Africa Cup of Nations was like a declaration of independence for countries on the African continent. that they now have freedom, ability, and potential enough to be ready to step up to the world level in every aspect. For the first time in 1957, three nations participated: Egypt, Ethiopia, and Sudan, the hosts, and the championship went to Egypt.
The second was held in 1959 and was hosted by Sudan and Egypt. The third time was in 1962 in Ethiopia, followed by 1963 in Ghana, 1965 in Tunisia, and again in 1968 in Ethiopia. And since then, AFCON has been held every two years continuously until 2012 when the Confederation of African Football (CAF) changed the year of the competition again. Changing from even-numbered years to odd-numbered years so as not to clash with the World Cup, the 29th AFCON was held in 2013 with South Africa. Host of the 2010 World Cup, takes over as host of the continental football championship. And since then it has been held every 2 years until now.
Africans are no less crazy about football than Europeans. They focus on national football. No matter what program you play in. To the point where there is a metaphor that says “When the national team plays The streets will be empty.” Even local football has gained popularity. Although most matches are not broadcast live on television, or the internet
To give an easy example of how crazy African people are about football, the 2010 World Cup was hosted by South Africa. Football fans around the world got to see the culture of people all over the African continent, not just in South Africa. The excitement and excitement of that World Cup has brought so much excitement and excitement that no other host has ever been able to host a World Cup like South Africa has. The song Waka Waka (This Time for Africa) has become the tournament’s official anthem. In the memories of many, it is even considered to be the best song in the history of the World Cup.
The Africa Cup of Nations, held every two years, is a competition that Africans look forward to seeing their nations play. Especially in small countries that have never had the opportunity to play in the World Cup. Only the continental championships have seen their players play. and create pride for the people of the nation
Football and politics
For reasons of social and economic conditions of these countries in Africa. that most nations lack wealth and development Therefore, they cannot wait 4 years because organizing sports events will help stimulate the economy. It also stimulates the work of the government sector to turn to national development. and prepare the country for hosting
Being the host of the competition is considered to create a good image for the country. This causes a lot of budget to be drawn out to develop the country, such as improving transportation routes. and public transport build a stadium Develop tourist attractions To be ready to receive visitors from abroad. These reasons lead to the development of the country chosen to host, and many times the choice of host for the Africa Cup of Nations is made on a country that is not yet ready in terms of venue and management system. So that they can go back and develop the country.
The Ivory Coast government, host of AFCON 2023, has a budget of over 1.5 billion USD. Improve infrastructure to prepare for competition. Including preparing approximately 17,000 police and soldiers to be stationed to provide security in each city where the competition will be held. To prevent a tragic event like the last time Cameroon hosted. After 8 football fans died and dozens were injured in the chaos that occurred in the round of 16.
François Amikea, Ivory Coast MP and former Minister of Sports, said: “When Ivory Coast decided to host the Cup of Nations, it was not about making money. But it is an investment for the country. This is an opportunity for us to improve our sports infrastructure. which has been in decline for many years, the Cup of Nations gives us new stadiums, hospitals, airports and improved roads.”
The Ivory Coast government hopes that by hosting this continental football tournament, It will help accelerate economic recovery. and society of the country After the end of the civil war in 2011, that is why the government was willing to spend billions of dollars. Four new stadiums will be built and two existing stadiums renovated. Airports, roads, hospitals and hotels have also been renovated and rebuilt in the five cities where the tournament will take place.
Many countries are pushing for themselves to host the tournament. Because in addition to helping stimulate the economy Football is also one of the political tools that many governments use to maintain their power. Such was the case with Cameroon, which was originally due to host in 2019, but in late 2018 the African Football Confederation revoked Cameroon’s hosting rights. They claimed that they lacked confidence in the readiness of the infrastructure. and are concerned about unrest within the country Therefore, the responsibility of hosting was given to Egypt. Cameroon’s hosting has been postponed to 2021 instead.
The Cameroonian government has expressed concern about this matter. Because organizing a large sports event requires huge expenses. And there is quite a bit of money that Cameroon has invested in to prepare for hosting. But the rights were revoked and postponed for another two years. This decision by the Confederation of African Football has caused economic and economic damage to Cameroon. and the image of the country
Cameroon is one of the countries pushing to host AFCON, according to President Paul Biya, who has been in power for 42 years. “We want AFCON to be a wonderful moment of reconciliation. And may we provide cultural diversity to our guests.”
Football in Cameroon is used as a political tool by the government. It can be said that football is part of politics. Research shows that football plays a key role in building nationalism and unity in Cameroon. Therefore, it is not surprising that the government would use football as a tool to maintain power in the days when its popularity was at its lowest. Football can also help heal conflicts arising from political unrest.
Cameroon’s president has shown that football is more than just a sport. In 1990, the same year the World Cup was held, There is a situation of unrest in Cameroon. Because many people were dissatisfied with Paul Biya’s rule, there were protests and calls for administrative reform. But luckily for Paul Biya, Cameroon’s World Cup performance in reaching the quarter-finals helped distract people from politics. It was at Paul Biya that a special national holiday was declared as a result of the national team’s successful performance at the 1990 World Cup.
Africa needs football every 2 years.
Because the competition is held every 2 years and matches the league’s program. causing an impact on many parties Especially European clubs that have to lose players to their national teams for a period of months, such as in the case of Mohamed Salah, who moved to join Liverpool in the 2017-18 season, the Reds had to release Salah. for the Egyptian national team To play in the Africa Cup of Nations 3 times, in 2019, 2021 and 2023, Liverpool has been affected by the absence of important players.
At the same time, a player of Asian nationality, Son Heung-min, who moved to join the Golden Spurs army. Since the 2015-16 season, Spurs had to release this important player to the South Korean national team. To play in the Asian Cup, which corresponds to the league schedule. Like the Africa Cup of Nations, it is held every four years only twice, in 2019 and 2023.
Once, on the eve of an AFCON match, Sebastian Allaire, a striker for the Ivory Coast national team, was once asked by a reporter when he was playing football with Ajax On whether he would go on to play for the national team or stay and help the club, Allaire angrily replied: “This question shows disrespect for Africa. Will this question be asked to European players before the Euros?” What Allaire said may have been partly about disrespect. Because the competition program takes place in the middle of the season. causing many teams in Europe to be affected and think only of the benefits of the team But the Euros do not coincide with the league schedule. Therefore it does not affect the club.
With the impact that has occurred, Gianni Infantino, FIFA president, has called on the African Football Confederation. Changed to be held every 4 years instead. “I propose to organize the Africa Cup of Nations every four years to make it more commercially viable. and more attractive on a global scale.”
“Commercially, the Africa Cup of Nations generates 20 times less revenue than the Euro. Is it reasonable to raise it every 2 years if we develop the necessary infrastructure? It would be better to create more attraction and organize it every 4 years.”
The Africa Cup of Nations generates around 45 million euros in revenue, while the Euro Cup It generated revenues of 1.9 billion euros with this difference in numbers. This led the president of FIFA to propose to the African Football Confederation. Changed to being held every 4 years and turned to raising the level of organizing the competition to be interesting. and adjust strategies to attract people around the world which will increase income
But the African Football Federation is opposed to this proposal. Because they need money to manage football on the continent. Including the football federation of each country also needs this money. In order to develop football in the country, if AFCON changes to being held every 4 years, football in Africa may be delayed in development. Or it may even worsen. Although the income received appears to be a small amount compared to other competitions, But frequency is also important. Although it is small, the football federation will receive this money every 2 years. If the competition is adjusted to every 4 years instead, even the income may increase. But it may not keep up with demand.
Guy Cossi Akpovi, president of the Togolese Football Federation, said: “The tournament is highly anticipated by football-loving Africans. If AFCON were held every four years, Africa would not receive international attention and visibility. Organized every two years, Africa is in the spotlight. It also gives small and medium sized teams the opportunity to participate in competitions. Because the World Cup seems too far away for many nations.”
Patrice Neveu, French coach of the Gabon national team. He is another person who supports AFCON to organize the competition as usual. “Africa needs this competition every two years. Football on the continent needs to be vigilant and continue to progress. For this reason, hosting the biennial AFCON is an important contribution to the development of football on the continent.”
If the Confederation of African Football confirms that it will be held every two years as usual, then can the schedule be changed so as not to affect the league’s programme? This is not the same, as weather is also an important factor in why the Africa Cup of Nations cannot be held to coincide with the time when European leagues close their seasons.
Because in Africa if it is during the rainy season There may be rainfall up to 270 mm./day, which will be an obstacle for organizing the competition. The time of year that coincides with winter in Europe. In Africa, summer has just begun, so temperatures are not yet very high. Therefore, it seems most suitable for organizing competitions.
The Africa Cup of Nations will therefore still be held every two years and will clash with the league schedule as usual. For the reasons mentioned above. What European clubs and fans can do is accept, understand and respect the African cause. and continue to encourage players from your favorite teams After all, playing for the national team is the highest honor in an athlete’s career. that athletes are proud of
Reference source:
https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2022/jan/08/premier-league-fans-may-be-frustrated-but-africa-cup-of-nations-deserves-respect
https://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/how-often-is-the-african-cup-of-nations-played-caf-international-tournament-timing-explained/bltc897385c17e56814
https://www.africanews.com/2020/02/02/afcon-must-be-played-every-4-years-for-more-impact-fifa-president/
https://www.theafricareport.com/155928/football-should-the-african-cup-of-nations-be-held-every-four-years/
https://www.france24.com/en/sport/20240113-hosts-ivory-coast-have-high-hopes-as-africa-cup-of-nations-kicks-off
https://theconversation.com/why-losing-the-african-cup-of-nations-is-a-heavy-blow-for-cameroon-108610
https://theconversation.com/drama-delays-and-domestic-unrest-why-hosting-afcon-is-so-important-for-cameroon-174721
https://www.fifa.com/fifaplus/en/articles/cafs-two-pronged-approach-to-ensure-continent-wide-development
https://www.bbc.com/sport/africa/67719900
2024-01-23 11:12:50
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