No change in ACN timing FIFA President Joseph Blatter has said the timing of the Africa Cup of Nations must be changed. At a press conference in Accra prior to the ACN kick-off, Blatter said that by 2016, the biennial tournament must be held in June or July like other major tournaments, and every four years like the European and Asian cups. The suggestion had to do with complaints from European clubs who lose many of their African stars to the ACN. Almost 40 African players in the English Premier League will be in Ghana for the Nations Cup. "This is a tradition, but one should have now the courage to go into the international calendar and see if it's not possible to deal with it. We put a target for 2016 that by that time the international calendar must be definitely in accordance with the interests of everybody," Blatter said. "Of course, it is up to CAF to decide on the dates, but with the heightened interest in African football, such a thing is worth considering." There would also be the problem of a clash with the World Cup every four years, but Blatter suggested that the Nations Cup could be moved to odd years. However, Blatter's statements upset CAF officials to the extent that the CAF president announced later that there will be no change in the timing of the Nations Cup. "We are aware of the noises being made by some of the players but the truth is: the playing time of the players is limited but Africa football lives on and is evolving. We will not be pushed into changing our schedule because some players want it changed," Eissa Hayatou told the Ghanaian newspaper Daily Telegraph. "The choice is theirs to make. The Nations Cup schedule will for now be what it is. It is up to the players to decide whether to play for their nations when they are called upon or refuse to play. It is as simple as that," he added. CAF richer THE CONFEDERATION of African football says it has recorded a revenue surplus of $5.56 million over the last two years after receiving additional marketing and television income, investment windfalls and revenue from fines. CAF's financial report released at its congress in Accra before the Games kicked off, said it had earned an extra $2.59 million for the last MTN Africa Cup of Nations finals in Egypt. It had budgeted a profit of $1 million but earned over $3 million from increased sponsorship. A total of $670,000 was earned from fines paid by errant associations and clubs. "We have become less tolerant of infringements as we strive for the highest standards," CAF executive committee member Suketu Patel told the congress. African football's controlling body said its net worth now stood at $30.5 million. Patel said a new television and marketing deal signed for the next eight years with French company Sport Five would see an 80 per cent increase in future revenue. But he would not give the total worth of the deal, insisting it was confidential. CAF's financial report said it earned some $23.5 million from TV and marketing rights for the two-year period ending June 2007. Mom upset THE MOTHER of the Ghanaian brothers Gyan has criticised the Ghanaian people and press for offending her son Asamoah following his performance with his team in the tournament. Mrs Cecilia Amoaka spoke to the daily Graphic Sport in Ghana, asking "Why blame only my son?" saying she was disgusted at the way Ghanaians had singled out her son after the Ghana-Namibia game in Accra last week. "The Ghanaians are ungrateful. My son is only 22 but has done something good for the nation," Amoaka told the newspaper, referring to her son's impressive goals with Ghana in the 2006 World Cup. "So, he shouldn't be treated this way. In Ghana, before a player stops playing for the nation, Ghanaians would destroy him," the disappointed mother declared. According to the newspaper, the residence of the Gyan family had been placed under police protection after Asamoah became the target of verbal attacks in the media following several scoring opportunities he missed in the Ghana-Namibia match. Eto'o equals record CAMEROON attacker Samuel Eto'o Fils on Saturday equaled the age long record of Ivorian Laurent Pokou when he scored his 14th Nations Cup goal in their Group C clash against Zambia. Eto'o scored his goals in five competitions; Laurent realised his in 1968 and 1970. Namibia's coach predicts NAMIBIA coach Arie Schans has tipped hosts Ghana, Cote d'Ivoire and Egypt as possible winners of the 26th MTN Africa Cup of Nations tournament currently ongoing in Ghana. The Dutchman who revealed his forecast in a post-match interview moments after his side's 1-0 loss to Ghana, said his stance was based on the performance of the three teams in the competition. Schans, who took charge of the Brave Warriors a few months before their second Nations Cup campaign, insists the three teams have the ability to emerge among the last four, including Morocco. Morocco was ousted in the group stage.
