The Africa Cup of Nations is an irritant for most English football fans .
Scheduled as it is , midway through a season, the timing ruins the best-laid plans of managers and coaches.
A string of Premier League and Championship clubs will be inconvenienced in two months’ time, with only four of those in the top-flight unaffected by international call-ups.
But former Nigeria skipper Peter Odemwingie, a veteran of four competitions, is asking for understanding of the effect the tournament has on his continent ahead of the next year’s finals.
He said: “Football is one of the biggest unifying forces on the African continent – we should not forget that.
“In Nigeria, comedians joke that the only time that our country truly comes together – when you see strangers hugging each other in the streets – is when the Super Eagles are playing.
“Politics or religion don’t matter, it’s all about Nigeria and our football team.
“It’s the No.1 sport – so this competition is as important as the European Championships are here or the Copa America is in South America. Perhaps more so, given the issues in our continent.
“And, although a lot of African players are in Europe and it is a big effort to get there, it is what you do because people don’t forget.
“We sing a line in our national anthem – ‘The labour of our heroes past shall not be in vain’ – and people remember the trouble you have taken.
“For instance, when I played in Moscow, I’d get a flight to London, then to Lagos and then another one to Mozambique or Angola. The journey could stretch to two days.
“And the same on the way home – after a defeat it isn’t much fun.
“But then you remember the hope you have given to a lot of people who suffer poverty, so what is a few hours to you when you can bring happiness to millions?”
Odemwingie, 35, was captain for the tournament six years ago, but was controversially axed from the squad that went on to lift the trophy in 2013.
He believes the tournament would be better received if it fitted more snugly into the European football calendar.
And he has a sharp rebuff for those who doubt its quality.
He said: “It would be good if FIFA could sit down with CAF (Confederation of African Football) and sort out a compromise for all.
“But then, I’m sure if it was that simple, they would have done something already.
“It is a shame because I have heard of African players who have been in line for good moves only for a manager to say, ‘I’m not signing you because I’ve got to lose you at a crucial stage of the season and you’ll miss four games – and that’s too much.’
“I think it can work the other way. If you look at someone such as Gareth Bale, for instance, I’ve heard him say how energised he feels when he returns to play for Wales.
“He’ll go back to Real Madrid with a spring in his step, I’m sure, after spending time with his international colleagues.”
Odemwingie says that the achievement of unfancied Zambia, four years ago, has proved – long before Leicester City – that strange things can happen and that, despite problems with the pitches and stadia, that the quality is improving.
He added: “The pitches are not as good as they would be in the Premier League. Some of the stadia aren’t, nor are the hotels. But the tournament itself is embraced by the whole continent. It really is a big deal.
“And I suppose in a way that the greater the effect in European football, the better it is for Africa because more of our players are there. After all, I think I’m right in saying the current Footballer of the Year (Riyad Mahrez) is African, aren’t I? I’m sure he will be missed by Leicester City. But Algeria deserve to have their best players there too.
“And if that is the quality of the players, then it is difficult to argue that Africa Cup of Nations is not worthwhile.”