Retired Accra Hearts Of Oak SC player, Bernard Don Bortey has waded into the conversation on why some European clubs released their African players late for the preparation of the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations tournament, which will be staged in Cameron Sunday, January 9 and end on Sunday, February 6, 2022.
While reacting to the question during an interview Prof. E. K. Wallace on “Sport Night Show” at Asempa, he called on Africa’s football governing body, Confederation of Africa football (CAF) to call European clubs to order for the proximate release of Africa players to honor the biggest Africa football festival on the continent.
“European clubs refusing to release African players on time for the preparation of the Africa Cup of Nations, will affect the tournament. I have heard some clubs don’t want their players to come for the tournament. Can Africa clubs stop European players from honoring their national team invitation if their players were playing in Africa?”
The ex-Ghapoha and Accra Great Olympics player reiterated that with the kind of law they (European clubs) are imposing on us, Africa must unite and fight for their rights.
These Europeans can’t play football without Africans. We taught them how to play football, and they want to take over football. They can’t stop African players from honoring the AFCON and allow their players to play their competitions. In Africa, we have talent in abundance. If world Pele can come to Ghana to play football, then it means we have gifted players in Africa”.
“We have Abede Pele Ayew in Africa, and some unique players also played like world Pele.” Africa has the talent and Ghana is the Brazil of African football, and we know how to do it. If we (Africans) don’t unite and stand for our rights, what these people (Europeans) are bringing on board is like a lethal virus (COVID-19).
Couturier and dexterous Don Bortey boldly confirmed that African players are lifting the image of European football. However, Europeans clubs will do all sorts of things to stop African players from participating in the AFCON. For example, Ngolo Kante is an Africa player who naturalized for France. Can they stop him from honoring France’s National team invite?”, he quizzed.
Brent Kojo Amenuvor
Ewurama Acheampoma