Portsmouth News 24/7Writer: pompeyrug 
Date:Monday December 10 2007
Time: 2:00PM
UK time is: 14:56:15
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Muntari on 'Arry and African nations
Sulley Muntari has heaped praise upon the 'father figure' Pompey have in Harry Redknapp with what he has told the Pompey site.
He has said that the fantastic run that we are currently on - 11 league games unbeaten spanning more than 3 months - is down to Redknapp's management and how he 'fathers' the players: 'Harry is a great manager and he is like a father figure to us all off the field. He treats us well and that's why everyone is happy and playing so well. It is much easier to do your job when you are happy'.
As well as his praise for his boss he also spoke about the African nations, and much as most of us have his hopes that it can be changed in the future to a more 'sensible' time of year.
His hopes are that this would mean the domestic season would not be disrupted for teams with African footballers in their squads: 'I am just praying that in future they change the timetable and move it to the summer so that we can play for our clubs all the time.
'That is something I feel will benefit everyone and stop all the problems.
'It is certainly something that is possible and the CAF need to look at it'.
The argument many have is that the summer months in African are too hot to be able to play the tournament, but although I am no expert on African climate my thinking was that it is pretty much hot all year round?
If Muntari himself feels that the competition could and should be played during the summer months then surely it is possible to do this in the future?
As far as this African nations goes I think we are all in agreement that Redknapp knew this was coming, so we cannot have any complaints about losing players this time round, but things clearly need to be looked at for future African nations cups as this is either going to put managers off buying Africans or clubs may start pressuring these players into choosing club over country - something that should never be made to happen.
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Your Comments
Two quality finishes against Villa. Villa are a very good side, its a great result for you.
tedpowelluk
I think the reason Africa is a tough place to plan a yearly tournament is because it is the only continent that is split by the equator, the bottom half and the top half have opposite summers and winters (albeit they are both mild) and perhaps they have different wet and dry seasons like they do in other tropical places (not sure tho)
whitestones
it just seems odd that they are prepared to play the world cup during the summer in south africa in a few years time, but wont play the african nations during the summer...
pompeyrug
it certainly is an odd window to play in
whitestones
FIFA have to sort it out!! Yes it is a big continent but so is America and they have a tournament in the summer.
eastneydave
honestly, you would expect them to PREFER to play in (our) summer - its either there winter ( - we play in the winter), or they are so close to the equater that it just gets confusing... there is no reason why they cant play in th summer, other than being power hungry.
pompeycarpet
I'm sure the problem will correct itself anyway before too long as it puts African players at a significant disadvantage in terms of their attractiveness to the big teams so when fewer of the real big names show up to the bi annual tourney, they're sure to get the message,
Toronto4Pompey
players 'retiring' from international football should this not be changed in the future would soon see a change wouldnt it - which i feel could be the way it went if it is not changed... as you say potential suitors will be put off and this will hinder the continued african progress so players will do that rather than miss their chance of playing in the top leagues in europe.
pompeyrug
I'm not bothered by the ACN at all... sure we'll miss Muntari and possibly Diop.. but you can keep Utaka out there for as long as poss and I don't care if Kanu never returns,, Lauren has hardly played this season same goes for Djimi ... have I missed anybody ??
Chix
Team without 'qualifying' Africans...
James, Johnson, Distin, Campbell, Pamarot, Kranjcar, Davis, Mendes, Taylor, Bejani, Nugent. Subs: Ashdown/Bergovic, Herman, Hughes, Mvuemba, Cowan-Hall, Duffy
Chix
muntari and diop will certainly be missed but i thought utaka had left for the african nations already, its felt like he's been gone for about a month anyway! kanu has that magic but is being made to look an old fool when he is being played up top on his own... we will be fine, completely agree i would like to add franck songo'o to that list, as it would be nice to see him at least feature on, and maybe get on from the bench. cranie 'should' be fit too as well i reckon, so lets not forget him. cowan-hall - now that would be interesting, the fella looks as tho he could be a star, so depending on who we get in the 4th round of the cup - assuming we beat ipswich - it could be worth him getting a go?
pompeyrug
Ye know, looking at chix's team minus " qualifying " Africans, we still seem in great shape. Now add Crouch to that list so Benjani can also be used in midfield.....
Toronto4Pompey
as said elsewhere, i always feel benji is wasted when he is played wide right... but i would agree that if a couple can come in too we have little to worry about with the african nations, altho we will miss the power of muntari and papa smurf.
pompeyrug
Yes i think we will miss Papa & Sulley but we can covrer it. Matty, Sean & Pedro can cover it.
storagematt
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