PEOPLE in England might not appreciate it, but the African Nations Cup is huge over here and the explosion in progress football has made on the continent is incredible.

During the 2002 tournament in Egypt, there were eight Premiership players on duty. That has shot up to 35 in Ghana.

That is a massive increase and there is no doubt the competition has reached a very high level.

I am very impressed at the way it has gone and it is almost at a stage where you can run off every name in a team and know who they are.

Before, there were a lot of names that most people would not have recognised.

The status of the competition is now on a par with both the European and South American Championships.

The fact that 15 of the 20 Premiership clubs are over with their scouts shows how much they admire African football.

One player who has really impressed me and could be playing in the Premier League before long is Angola's Manucho.

The 24-year-old striker was plucked by Manchester United from Angolan league side Petro Athletico a few weeks ago.

His ability in the air is outstanding and he has helped get his country through to the quarter-finals.

He could well be an outstanding investment from Manchester United's point of view and congratulations to them for getting him.

I should also say congratulations to Cameroon's Samuel Eto'o, who has become the competition's all-time record scorer, with 16 goals.

It makes him possibly the greatest African striker of all time, although players like George Weah might have something to say about that.

Obviously, there is always some criticism in England and Europe about the competition, as it falls during the English season and there is a risk of important players suffering injury.

I know there are moves to try and change it in line with other major tournaments, but I think the most sensible call has come from Everton manager David Moyes.

His suggestion of having a winter break in England while the tournament is going on, or even stopping for half of it, seems a very good one.