There's a what? Where? Who?

For my first post of the new year I'd like to discuss the African Cup of Nations tournament starting this Sunday.

What? You've never heard of the African Cup of Nations?
Hmm, why is that?
Could it be that folks think of Africa as that land with jungles, monkeys, elephants, natives, and AIDS?
Was that too harsh?

Okay.

Maybe it's because it never gets any airplay, any print, any love outside of Africa.

What? The AFC Asian Cup doesn't get any airplay either? Well, except for Football Asia on FSC (or is it Setanta, or is it Gol TV?). I lose track with all these soccer channels now.

Hmm, with all these channels now you'd think there'd be room to broadcast some of these games. I mean who wouldn't want to watch Michel Essien, Didier Drogba, Samuel Eto'o, or the Touré brothers?

It's almost as if FIFA has something to hide by not showing off this tournament. The Europeans hate this tournament. It takes away star African players from their precious clubs during the month of January. "Play it in the summer!" they say! "Do it like us!" they exclaim. "We can't," they answer. Sepp and the boys don't listen.

It's a shame really. There's a lot of damn good soccer being played in the next month, and some damn good soccer players. I'll say this though. You can bet your ass that those same club teams that hate the African Cup of Nations are sending scouts so they can pluck the next Drogba out of that so-called jungle. Why would FIFA help build the African soccer infrastructure when it's much easier to give a player his big dream by leaving and going to the rich clubs in Europe? The last thing those European clubs want is that African pipeline to dry up. They've got a vested interest in making sure the player want to leave.

Yeah, it's a damn shame.
And before you answer...no the World Cup in South Africa doesn't make up for it.