The rumored transfer of Bryan Mbuemo from Brentford to Manchester United last year sparked mixed reactions among fans. While Mbuemo has proven his worth, having amassed over 20 goals and assists in the previous season, skepticism arose due to his status as an African player from Cameroon. His participation in the African Cup of Nations, which occurs mid-season, led some fans to doubt his potential impact on the team, fearing an unfilled position during his absence.
This situation is a recurring theme for African footballers competing in Europe. The AFCON tournament, which many view as an honor, often discourages clubs from pursuing talented African players. Benni McCarthy, Kenya's national team coach and former Manchester United assistant, mentioned that Victor Osimhen’s name came up during scouting, yet concerns over AFCON led to a viewpoint that his signing would not be a sound investment.
In contrast, while non-African players who compete in European Championships or the World Cup are also called away for international duty, European clubs typically pause their operations during these events. This leads to two pressing questions: why is AFCON scheduled amidst club tournaments, and why is its significance often downplayed?
Recent notable accolades awarded to players, such as Lionel Messi’s sixth Ballon d’Or in 2023, emphasize how performances in major international tournaments influence evaluation of players' seasons. However, performances by African players in AFCON frequently fade from public memory due to their timing in the club season.
In 2025, Jamie Carragher, a former Liverpool player, stated that AFCON was not treated as a "major tournament" when discussing Mohamed Salah’s chances for the Ballon d'Or. He suggested that even with an outstanding AFCON performance, Salah’s prospects wouldn’t significantly improve unless he had a consistent club season. Conversely, another player with a good European tournament could be viewed as a stronger candidate for the award. Although Carragher faced backlash for his remarks, it highlighted a controversial but valid consideration: is AFCON deemed a significant tournament in the global sporting context?
Several factors contribute to AFCON's perception as a lesser tournament, including inconsistent scheduling and structural issues, making it difficult for the competition to garner the same recognition as the World Cup or the Euros. Concerns regarding officiating, logistics, and past incidents, such as the confusion over Morocco being declared the winner of a recent tournament, further undermine confidence in the event's integrity. Carragher seized on this narrative following the revelation, which stemmed from issues persisting two months post-tournament.
Despite these negative perceptions, AFCON carries immense pride, talent, and emotional resonance for African players and fans alike. In a global football landscape where perception often trumps performance, recurrent problems hinder the tournament's respect beyond the continent and impact how African players are viewed in European leagues.
To elevate AFCON to the same status as other premier tournaments, reforms are essential. Implementing a more consistent and globally aligned schedule would enhance the engagement of clubs, fans, and the broader football community. African football must forge its own path to validate its worth rather than relying solely on outside acknowledgment. Stakeholders within Africa, including media and federations, need to take on active roles in promoting the tournament and ensure that performances at AFCON are recognized without being overshadowed by club football.
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