Watford defender William Troost-Ekong has called for people around the globe to show more respect to the African Cup of Nations as they show towards Euros and the world cup tournament.
The run up to the international tournament, which kicked off in Cameroon yesterday, saw a lot of debate about whether or not players should be able to leave their clubs to take part, due to the fact it is played mid-season.
Several Comment has been made which including Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp who describe the tournament as a little tournament.
According to the Nigerian star, respect must be given to the African cup of Nations as they gave to Euros and world cup tournaments.
“If it was the Euros or any other tournament, I don’t think there would be any kind of conversation like this,” he told Football Focus. “That would be ludicrous.
“I can understand it to an extent because we are leaving during the season, which is probably different to other major tournaments that are happening. But people already knew that it was going to be in January, for a long time.
“Unfortunately, I think quite a lot has been taken away from the tournament and the excitement that should have been there because of those questions.”
Troost-Ekong regards the competition as highly as any other international tournament and said that the quality within the squad’s present will make for some exciting matches.
“There’s sometimes a misunderstanding of what kind of tournament it is,” he said.
“It’s on the same level as a World Cup or the Euros or Ca America. A lot of the exciting players in the Premier League are African. To see them all together defending their countries will be an exciting tournament, whatever people say.”