Crystal Palace manager Patrick Vieira says the Africa Cup of Nations is just as important as the European Championships and should be respected as such.
Patrick Vieira said: “I respect and I understand the passion and the importance of those players to go and represent their country and their nation. I would never stop any players that are going to play the Africa Cup of Nations. I believe that that competition has to be respected more around. This competition is just as important as the European Championship. If there was more coverage of it I think people would understand more how important it is for the African continent.”
Earlier Vieira said he was unsurprised by the fact that three of his players had been called up to their countries for the tournament, and that he was pleased for Zaha who had his international future thrown into doubt last month.
