26/11/2025
With all due respect to Cesc Fàbregas, comments like these are exactly why African players and African football often feel unfairly treated. When European or South American players are called up for their national teams, no one questions whether they “should go” or whether their countries “care.” But when it comes to African players, suddenly clubs feel entitled to deny them the chance to represent their nation.
Why is it that African players are always the ones being pressured not to join their national teams for AFCON?
Why is playing for Africa seen as a burden instead of an honor—just like the Euros, Copa América, or the World Cup?
And regarding the schedule, it’s important to understand that:
AFCON is played in January/February for very real reasons:
• Many African regions experience extreme heat, monsoon seasons, or unsafe weather conditions in June–July.
• CAF must schedule the tournament in a period that is climatically safe and logistically possible across the continent.
• FIFA recognizes this and still approves AFCON as an official international tournament.
Europe has winter breaks; Africa has climate-sensitive seasons too.
Not all continents function on the European football calendar, and expecting them to is unrealistic and unfair.
So the question becomes:
Why is it acceptable for players to leave for the Euros, Copa América, Nations League, or World Cup—yet when it’s AFCON, suddenly the player’s loyalty, fitness, or priorities are questioned?
African football deserves the same respect as every other confederation.
African players deserve the same freedom and dignity to represent their countries without pressure, guilt, or negative narratives. AKIM TWESIGA writes.
