AFCON is the African World Cup’ -Gyan

Ghana football legend Asamoah Gyan has passionately stated that the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) holds a significance similar to that of the World Cup for African footballers.

During a conversation with Rio Ferdinand, Gyan emphasized that AFCON is more than just a tournament—it’s the pinnacle of football for players on the continent, carrying immense pride and prestige.

The iconic former Sunderland striker, who has represented Ghana multiple times in AFCON, acknowledged the tournament’s immense value to African football but raised concerns over its timing. Historically, AFCON is held in January, which often coincides with the middle of the European football season.

This scheduling has led to criticism, particularly from top clubs that lose key players for an extended period during an important part of the season.

“I’ve thought about it a lot over the years,” Gyan said. “It affects many clubs with African players, and you can see that top teams lose their best players in January, which impacts their form and performance.” He believes that the scheduling conflicts have had a noticeable effect on clubs that rely heavily on African talent, often leading to points dropped and a dip in form.

Despite these challenges, Gyan remains steadfast in his view that AFCON is still one of the most important tournaments for African footballers. “For every African player, AFCON is like the World Cup,” he remarked. “It’s a dream for us to represent our country in the tournament, and we give it everything. The sense of pride and honor it brings is unmatched.”

With his deep knowledge of both club and international football, Gyan suggested that a solution to the issue could lie in shifting the tournament to the European off-season. This change, he argues, would allow African players to compete in AFCON without the added pressure of missing vital matches for their clubs.