Chukwueze says AFCON should be given same respect as World Cup

Nigeria forward Samuel Chukwueze has opined that the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) deserves to be put at the same level just like the World Cup and the European Championship.

Reacting on the timing of the current AFCON being held in Morocco, the Fulham star said people must have respect for the tournament.

‘You have to respect the AFCON’

“Everybody wants to play in AFCON. It’s one of the best competitions in the world,” Chukwueze told On Sports TV as quoted by Flashscore. “You have to respect the AFCON the same way you respect the European Championship or World Cup.”

He added: “We understand they scheduled it at the wrong time of the year, but when it’s important, if you get recalled you have to go.

“You don’t have any choice, your club can’t stop you and no one should say anything bad about the AFCON. Yes, they put it ⁠at the wrong time, but saying it’s not a good competition or a great competition is unacceptable.”

The Morocco edition of the tournament was scheduled to be the second after 2019 to take place during the northern hemisphere’s summer (June–July), in order to reduce scheduling conflicts with European club teams and competitions.

It is the first time that the AFCON is being played over the Christmas and New Year period.

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