Retired England International ’Attacks CAF for Postponing AFCON 2023 to Year 2024

• John Fashanu is utterly disappointed that the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations has been postponed until January 2024
• Ivory Coast will host the 34th edition of the tournament, but CAF has cited the rains and floods in the country during mid-year as a reason for its postponement
• Fashanu stated that the idea will only benefit European teams as no African player will leave the club for a continental tournament next year

Former England international John Fashanu has expressed disappointment following the decision by the Confederation of African Football to postpone the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.

President of the continental football body Patrice Motsepe announced in Rabat, Morroco that the 34 edition of the competition initially scheduled for June 23 to July 23, 2024 in Ivory Coast has been moved to January 2024.

Reports earlier suggested that the weather in the host country Ivory Coast will not be favourable in the mid-year due to heavy rains and floods.

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But Fashanu has been left disappointed saying it is ridiculous to postpone such a huge tournament just because of weather.

The 59-year-old told Punch:

“It is a lovely way for them to say none of the African players will be leaving the clubs for the biggest tournament in Africa next year.

“But it is terrible and it is ridiculous to use weather as an excuse to postpone the AFCON because when has the weather ever stopped a footballer from playing football?

“Is it when it is snowing, raining, or when the sun is so hot that I wouldn’t play football? It is absolute rubbish and I call it rubbish. I wasn’t surprised when I saw the news but I was rather horrified and it looks like we are going backward.

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“I just hope that we can get it right in Africa and I don’t think one of the biggest tournaments in Europe would have been postponed because of weather.”

CAF set to launch African Super League

Meanwhile, Sports Brief earlier reported that Patrice Motsepe has confirmed that the African Super League will begin in August next year.

The Super League will be launched officially next month in Arusha, Tanzania during CAF's 44th General Assembly.

The Super League is expected to be a preserve of top teams in the continent. Official details will be released during the launch next month but Motsepe has in the past argued that the new competition will plough money back into African football.