Normally held in January and February, there are some controversial changes to the Nations Cup this season. EVERY two years, Premier League fans head into January dreading the thought of losing some of their top players to the Africa Cup of Nations.

But this year, supporters and managers alike can relax as the tournament will not interrupt the regular season.

Why isn’t the Africa Cup of Nations on this January?

THERE are a number of changes to the African Cup of Nations for 2019. Usually the competition is contested in January, which has caused wrangling between players and clubs who potentially lose their stars for up to six weeks at key periods of the season.

• The tournament will be played in June and July rather than January and February
• There will now be 24 teams competing rather than 16
• Cameroon were originally the hosts but have been stripped of the honour – a new host country will be decided on January 9

Hosting the tournament in the height of summer is a controversial move, with the temperatures set to be fierce.

Who is hosting it after Cameroon stripped?

CAMEROON were due to host the Nations Cup for the first time since 1972.

But they have been controversially stripped after concerns over security and the general infrastructure ahead of the tournament. Cameroon’s Minister of Communication, Issa Tchiroma Bakary said the government was “dismayed.”

He continued: “In the face of this blatant injustice, the government of the Republic urges the people of Cameroon to remain calm and not to indulge to futile arguments.” Egypt are the current favourites to take over hosting duties, with the decisions set for January 9.

Source: The Sun