Rab’s World

6 Teams in the 26th MTN African Cup of Nations GHANA 2008. I have been updating the list of the final 23-man team going out there to represent their nation in this competition.

If you go to my page TEAM Profiles; you see that I list the Nation and club of these superstar players. I do not list the leagues, but if you follow football feverishly then you know of the respectable National leagues such as The English Premiere League’ Bundesliga; Italia Serie A; French Ligue etc. something curious took a hold of me. I could not find ONE African player in this competition that listed the United States of America and one of the 14 teams in the MLS (Major League Soccer). Not one!

I live in the USA; I have US citizenship. I am also aware that the USA is not the most affable nation toward the ‘Beautiful Game’ (O Jogo Bonito!). But let me tell you! We have every nationality represented here. Hell… Just take New York City! You will find all peoples of the Earth there. You would think. (think verrrry hard!); that the USA would be churning out the best football players’ attracting the best of the best and the most hungriest of the hungriest to play for big money in ‘The Big country’. Not so! It seems likely that you will never, ever hear of a USA MLS team trying to test FIFA by holding on to a top African player and not releasing them for their national duty call-up for a Cup of Nations tournament.

Edit **** Hot! Hot! It seems I have been ranting for nothing! Today is the deadline for coaches to submit their 23 man roster list. Guess what? Surprise! Surprise! The Sénégalese team just announced that they will include Bouna Coundoul of the Colorado Rapids of MLS. He’s a tight goalkeeper! He will go as the only player nabbed from the MLS for the CAN/ACN Ghana 2008. Bonne Chance!