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Why Liverpool and Everton have gained a huge boost from the latest AFCON news
Several Premier League clubs will have been very pleased to hear the news that the African Cup of Nations, or AFCON, is set to be moved from January and February to the summer months.
The Confederation of African Football confirmed that the 2019 event will be held in June and July, as reported by the .
Premier League clubs have often been frustrated as they have had to let their African stars leave for the competition mid-season. This has been particularly damaging to clubs in the past few campaigns.
The Liverpool team of last term are the prime example of this, having to face two months without star forward Sadio Mane as he travelled to Africa in order to compete with Senegal.
The loss of Mane saw a severe dip in form for the Reds, who failed to win a game in January as they faced a tough period without their joint-top goal scorer. The news will come as much relief to the Anfield faithful as well as manager Jurgen Klopp.
Added to the loss of Mane, the Reds’ also became embroiled in a tug of war with FIFA, arguing over the availability of Cameroonian defender Joel Matip.
The former Schalke centre-back had retired from international duty in 2015, but Cameroon tried to call him up for the 2017 competition. He didn’t attend AFCON but, instead, he had to be withdrawn from a fixture against Manchester United due to the complications.
The schedule change will delight Liverpool, especially after adding Egypt’s Mohamed Salah to their side. The former Roma man, along with other Africans, will now be able for the whole Premier League campaign.
Having been greeted with the news, Jurgen Klopp may be even keener to add to his side. The German manager has been attempting to sign RB Leipzig’s Naby Keita and now he knows the midfielder won’t be lost midway through future seasons, the Reds’ boss may be tempted to add to the £66 million bid that was rejected, as reported by German outlet .
Another club on Merseyside will also be delighted with the decision, as Everton themselves hosting quite a strong African contingent. The Toffees will look forward to a full season with Senegal midfielder Idrissa Gueye as well as winger Yannick Bolasie, some of the Blues’ best performers last season.
Gueye, who joined from Aston Villa, was impressive throughout the course of last season, breaking up opposition attacks and constantly working for his side.
While Gueye forms part of the African contingent at Everton, unlike Liverpool, the Toffees aren’t adding many players from the Southern continent.
Still, the news will please both clubs, along with many other outfits, whose fans will now look forward to seeing their stars play for their side from August right through to May.