Ghanaian football icon Asamoah Gyan has likened the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) to a personal World Cup, highlighting the tournament’s significance for African players.
Speaking in an interview with Rio Ferdinand, Gyan, who has represented Ghana in multiple AFCON campaigns, described the competition as “like a World Cup” for him.
“Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) is like a World Cup to me,” he said.
While AFCON is celebrated as one of Africa’s premier football events, its timing in the middle of the European season has drawn criticism. Gyan urged governing bodies to consider rescheduling the tournament to avoid clashes with European club football.
“It is something I have thought about all these years because it affects most of the clubs with African players. I believe it should be played off-season,” the former Sunderland forward said.
“You can see clubs at the top of the league table, and their players leave for AFCON in January, and they start dropping points. However, AFCON is like a World Cup to me, and that is what every African footballer thinks,” he added.
Gyan, Ghana’s all-time leading scorer, featured in the 2010 and 2015 AFCON finals against Egypt and Ivory Coast, finishing as a runner-up on both occasions.
The 2025 AFCON final will see Morocco face Senegal on Sunday, January 18.
