If It’s Club vs Country, Then What’s the Score?

We keep hearing about Club vs Country and the African Cup of Nations, but is anyone keeping track of the score? Just me, as it happens. And it’s currently 1-1, with Clubs looking likely to beat Countries on penalty kicks.

South Africa scored early for the Countries, winning an argument with Everton manager David Moyes over whether the 14 day rule (clubs must release players 14 days before FIFA-sanctioned tournaments, if requested) meant 14 days before the tournament or 14 days before that player’s team’s first game. Moyes said “first team game” and that Steven Pienaar should play for him in yesterday’s Carling Cup semi-final against Everton. South Africa said “tournament” so put him on a plane please. Now. FIFA sided with South Africa, so 1-0 to the Countries.

But then tragedy struck Countries everywhere as one crazy Egyptian scored a miserable own goal…

Hossam Ghaly (he of Spurs shirt tossing fame) has backed out of playing for Egypt at the African Cup of Nations, choosing to spend January playing for Derby County instead. That’s worst team in the Premiership, versus current African Cup of Nations champions and Gahly chooses the worst team in the Premiership. That makes it Clubs 1-1 Countries.

But looks like Clubs will take this on penalties. Cameroon had been expecting Samuel Eto’o at their training camp any day now, but Barcelona have been keen to hold onto him, rather arrogantly assuming they’d get their own way. And they have. Seems Barca managed to get written permission from Cameroon for Eto’o to show up late to the African Cup of Nations.

A narrow defeat for countries then, but it could have been worse. Of all the players that Europan clubs were so desparate to hang on to, all except Hossam Ghaly will be at the tournament by the time it starts. With all the bitching from the likes of Harry Redknapp and Sam Allardyce lately, Countries will be glad for that small victory at least.

If you want to follow the African Cup of Nations in depth then head over to The Offside’s studious sister site World Cup Blog.

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Category: Africa