Former Ghana midfielder Emmanuel Agyemang Badu has expressed concerns over the timing of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), scheduled to be held in Morocco from December 2025 to January 2026.
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) recently announced these dates, raising potential conflicts with the European football calendar.
Agyemang-Badu, who represented Ghana in multiple AFCON tournaments and was a runner-up in 2010, highlighted the difficulties players might face with the new schedule. The tournament’s timing coincides with a busy period for European clubs, particularly in England, where the festive season fixtures are crucial.
“It’s a very difficult situation but this is our job. This is the kind of job we want to do,” he told Joy Sports acknowledging the challenges but emphasized the importance of representing one’s country.
Emmanuel Agyemang
“You need to be there and represent your country, you need to make yourself proud, your country proud so whenever you get the call-up whether it’s Christmas time, whether the European club will worry us, you just need to come and do the job for your country.”
Badu urged players to comply with the schedule and perform their national duties despite the inevitable complications. “It’s just unfortunate but we need to abide with it and just go with it. I hope it will not repeat itself because it will bring a lot of chaos for the players,” he added.
The timing of the 2025 AFCON has already sparked debates among fans and football analysts, with many echoing Badu’s concerns. The potential absence of key African players during a critical part of the European season could create significant challenges for their respective clubs.
As the tournament approaches, the football community will watch how clubs and national teams navigate this scheduling conflict. Badu’s remarks underscore the broader implications for African players and their professional commitments.