AFCON equals any European Championship, I’ll never stop African players – Patrick Vieira

Crystal Palace manager Patrick Vieira has said he will never stop his players from representing their countries in the forthcoming African Cup of Nations.

The Frenchman noted that the competition is as important as the European Championship.

Some managers of top European clubs with African players have criticised the timing of AFCON and with the fourth wave of COVID-19 creating more fears.

Vieira will see three of his Palace top stars, Wilfried Zaha, Cheikhou Kouyate and Jordan Ayew leave for the competition as they join Cote d’Ivoire, Senegal and Ghana respectively.


Despite their plans to go home, the former Arsenal skipper, who is a Senegalese-born, said he will never prevent the players from travelling to Cameroon.

“I respect and I understand the passion and importance of those players to go and represent their country,” Vieira said on Palace’s official website.

“I will never stop any players going to the Africa Cup of Nations. I believe that competition has to be more respected because this competition is as important as the European Championship.

“With Senegal, I don’t think people understand [Sadio] Mane or Cheikhou Kouyate not representing their nation. If there was more coverage, people will understand how important it is for the African continent.”

Lalasticlala. Mynd44
https://dailypost.ng/2021/12/25/afcon-equals-any-european-championship-ill-never-stop-african-players-patrick-vieira/

Uncle Patrick, thanks for the patronage, but you had the chance to represent Senegal at all levels, why did you opt for Les Blues instead of the Terenga Lions? Or was the AFCON tournament during your playing days not equal to any European Championship?

Na your papa born you.

Thanks to Patrick Viarra AFCON is Africans biggest football showpiece and so should be respected, just like the Euros and the south Americans tournament


Not like. Jürgen Klopp disrespecting and trying to explain it away instead of saying sorry



“I didn’t call it a ‘little continent.”

“What I meant was, I said there’s no international break until March - a little tournament in January.”

“I just meant it’s ironic. A big one - we lose our best players for the tournament.”

“I am not a native speaker but if you want to misunderstand me, it was not my intention. You made something more of it. That is not too cool.”

an outspoken coach like this is the main reason why these big European clubs would hardly Gv jobs to black coaches...
imagine a viera coaching Napoli, oshimhen wont be fighting with court cases about going for AFCON, he would easily get blessings n goodluck wishes to win the AFCON..
or a case were black coaches dominate clubs in Europe top leagues, there would not be any problems releasing players for AFCON bcoz dey would understand d pride for playing in AFCON..
I jus pray dt African stars dnt av issues in participating in next JAN AFCON bcoz it would be an eye sore if its dominated by him based..
DTS a big slap on our face bcoz European stars cnt miss euros bcoz of vaccination or wat his club says....my opinion

PlayMaker14:
Uncle Patrick, thanks for the patronage, but you had the chance to represent Senegal at all levels, why did you opt for Les Blues instead of the Terenga Lions? Or was the AFCON tournament during your playing days not equal to any European Championship?

thats a different ball game...representing a country or ur roots is based on so many factors...u dnt know his main reason n we all would easily join a big winning team especially wen the shirt is sure n dey need us bcoz d system works better their than here in Africa..
and also u dnt kno the current state of Senegal football bk den when viera chosed france..
the topic here is dt even if he played in France n a coach in a top league like EPL, he still stood his ground n gave his support to players going for AFCON unlike others dt are silent n even supporting a home base AFCON bcoz of non vaccination of Africans...dts Nice

paulolee:

thats a different ball game..

It still doesn't answer the question bro.

PlayMaker14:
It still doesn't answer the question bro.

so many factors involved....d same reason dt made france have more numbers of Africans in its squad than french born players..
they all grew up there n easily fixed into the squad bcox their system were open to Africans..
viera was born in dakar bt moved to france at 8yrs old meaning he spent all his life n even started football in french league
do u expect him to dump a country dt he grew up and he was used to for a Senegal dt wasn't known for football in d early 90's..

paulolee:

thats a different ball game...representing a country or ur roots is based on so many factors...u dnt know his main reason n we all would easily join a big winning team especially wen the shirt is sure n dey need us bcoz d system works better their than here in Africa..
and also u dnt kno the current state of Senegal football bk den when viera chosed france..
the topic here is dt even if he played in France n a coach in a top league like EPL, he still stood his ground n gave his support to players going for AFCON unlike others dt are silent n even supporting a home base AFCON bcoz of non vaccination of Africans...dts Nice

@bolded, that is why I am asking to know his main reason. Was it because the AFCON tournament during his playing days was not equal to any European Championship?

And for the records, Senegal Football flourished so well 2000 to 2002 even defeating Les Blues in a friendly match.

PlayMaker14:
@bolded, that is why I am asking to know his main reason. Was it because the AFCON tournament during his playing days was not equal to any European Championship?

And for the records, Senegal Football flourished so well 2000 to 2002 even defeating Les Blues in a friendly match.

Patrick Viera made his debut for Les Blues before then

PlayMaker14:
@bolded, that is why I am asking to know his main reason. Was it because the AFCON tournament during his playing days was not equal to any European Championship?

And for the records, Senegal Football flourished so well 2000 to 2002 even defeating Les Blues in a friendly match.

Senegal florished well in the 2000 BT viera made his debut for France in 1997 against holland....
were ur senegal up to the standard of dt fantastic france dt won the world cup in 1998, euros in 2000 n confedration cup in 2001...argue with facts na..
u now comparing France success with dt of senegal dt its best achievement wasfinishing as runner up in AFCON twice? mind u, he was a key player for france n not a bench warmer o..

Amotolongbo:
Patrick Viera made his debut for Les Blues before then

Thanks for that, but still, the Terenga Lions, Chipolopolo, Black Stars, Super Eagles, Carthage Eagles and Indomitable Lions were the Power House of African football from the early 1990's.... Even before Patrick made his debut for Les Blues, the Terenga Lions have been a force to be reckoned with in the round leather game.

paulolee:

Senegal florished well in the 2000 BT viera made his debut for France in 1997 against holland....
were ur senegal up to the standard of dt fantastic france dt won the world cup in 1998, euros in 2000 n confedration cup in 2001...argue with facts na..
u now comparing France success with dt of senegal dt its best achievement wasfinishing as runner up in AFCON twice? mind u, he was a key player for france n not a bench warmer o..

You are the one bringing up comparison to a simple question....

According to you, Patrick has a reason why he opted for Les Blues instead of the Terenga Lions and you even wanted to make a reason for him by saying we don't know the state of the Senegalese football as at then.

My question;

1. Why did the diminutive Patrick opted to represent Les Blues instead of the Terenga Lions? Was the AFCON tourney not equal to any of the European Championship during his playing days?

PlayMaker14:
You are the one bringing up comparison to a simple question....

According to you, Patrick has a reason why he opted for Les Blues instead of the Terenga Lions and you even wanted to make a reason for him by saying we don't know the state of the Senegalese football as at then.

My question;

1. Why did the diminutive Patrick opted to represent Les Blues instead of the Terenga Lions? Was the AFCON tourney not equal to any of the European Championship during his playing days?

maybe personal decision n only him can answer why he chosed france over senegal.
I cnt say AFCON was equal then bcox the Europeans dominated football n African were playing catchup.....dts my opinion too
no time to argue too much...enjoy ur Christmas n the weekend, stay blessed

paulolee:

maybe personal decision n only him can answer why he chosed france over senegal.
I cnt say AFCON was equal then bcox the Europeans dominated football n African were playing catchup.....dts my opinion too
no time to argue too much...enjoy ur Christmas n the weekend, stay blessed

Not here to argue either.


Thanks for stopping by.

Compliments of the season.

PlayMaker14:
Not here to argue either.


Thanks for stopping by.

Compliments of the season.

The Argument you bought up was rather Unnecessary!

Vieira is NOT the first and won't be the Last player to ditch his African team to Play for a European side!
There is Zidane, Nasri, Benzema, Jerome Boateng, Bukayo Saka,etc..
Even in Switzerland's National team, they have a Nigerian striker, Okafor!

These Players chose these countries Simply because that's where they have been Groomed and Nurtured!
Going back to play for their Home Countries after such Efforts seems like Ingratitude!

Vinnie2000:



The Argument you bought up was rather Unnecessary!

Vieira is NOT the first and won't be the Last player to ditch his African team to Play for a European side!
There is Zidane, Nasri, Benzema, Jerome Boateng, Bukayo Saka,etc..
Even in Switzerland's National team, they have a Nigerian striker, Okafor!

These Players chose these countries Simply because that's where they have been Groomed and Nurtured!
Going back to play for their Home Countries after such Efforts seems like Ingratitude!

Learn to differentiate between a “Question asked” and “Argument....”


Take care.