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.
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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.
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