Algerian captain Riyad Mahrez would love the Africa Cup of Nations to be held every four years as against the current two-year format which has been from the beginning.
Since inception, the competition has been held from January to February due to the rains on the continent later in the year.
The last edition hosted by Egypt was held from June to July with Algeria captained by Mahrez winning their second AFCON title after beating Senegal in Cairo.
The reason for the switch was because of Egypt’s desert climate that has little rainfall during June and July. Cameroon who will host the next AFCON in 2021 are in a more tropical climate, therefore CAF have switched the tournament to January – February which has caused a lot of criticisms from different corners.
The Algerian winger says it is not easy to leave one’s club for two months.
“Let’s make Afcon once every four years and in summer,” Mahrez speaking in a live Instagram interview.
“We loved Egypt it wasn’t too hot. Every two years and in winter, that is why African football is not respected.
“You have a crazy amount of action in your own clubs, then you leave for two months.”
Mahrez also talked about his Marseille dream and how he ended up playing for Le Harve.
“I went to test in Marseille,” he explains. “I was very happy because before, my heart’s club was Marseille,” Mahrez continued.
“I liked PSG, because it’s my city but Marseille, I wanted to go there too much.
“I remember, the coach was Franck Passi. Everything was going well, so much so that Jose Anigo [then-Marseille sports director] comes down and tells me that they want me to sign.
“In my head, I was in a movie. I am 18 years old. Eight months before, I was in Sarcelles. He [Anigo] said to me: “How did you come? By train?” I said yes. He said to his secretary, “Get him a plane ticket for tonight.” He passed me Marseille jerseys. I came back, I thought I had signed.
“We do not really know the underside, but, three or four days later, he [Angio] calls my agent, and says to him: “We have a player who is the same here, we don’t want to get in the way of him, we don’t want to put a spanner in the works.” The player was [Billel] Omrani.”
With Le Havre, Mahrez scored 22 goals in 66 appearances. He moved to Leicester City where he won his first English Premier League title and currently plays for reigning champions Manchester City.
