Manchester United Coach, Jose Mourinho has commended the Confederation of African Football (CAF) on the recent changes to the African Cup of Nation (AFCON). The Portuguese international who made his position known on Wednesday in a chat with ESPN stated that the move will make AFCON more competitive and exciting since all African players invited for the competition would have rounded up club engagements.
“If that’s the change then it’s fantastic for us. Obviously, because it’s hard in the middle of the season to lose players like we do, and with so many African players playing in the best competitions in Europe it’s not good for the clubs, it’s not good for the competitions and it’s not good for the players."
“So if you can do that and you manage to do the Africa Cup in the European break. It’s fantastic for us.”
Last season, Mourinho played without Eric Bailly during a crucial period of the season when the Ivorian International opted to represent his country at AFCON hosted by Gabon. He had suffered similar fate at Chelsea when the team played without Didier Drogba, Solomon Kalou and Mikel Obi among others.
CAF in its last session increased the number of participating teams in AFCON to 24 while shifting the tournament to summer months. The adjustment means that AFCON would now take place at the end of major league engagements in Europe and America.
