Top football agent Saif Rubie hails Africa Cup of Nations timing change

Published on: 22 July 2017
Top football agent Saif Rubie hails Africa Cup of Nations timing change
Saif Rubie with some top African players Adebayor and Kolo Toure

One of the top agents representing some African players and coaches, Saif Rubie, has hailed the change of timing for the Africa Cup of Nations insisting it will make it easier for top European clubs to sign players from the continent.

The continental ruling body ruled on Thursday in Rabat, Morocco that the tournament will now be played between June and July.

The competition, usually hosted in January and February, will be moved to June and July which is the end of the season for several players based in Europe who currently dominate the tournament.

The latest move from African football chiefs have been largely hailed for football agents who have been frustrated in securing European deals for African players.

And Saif Rubie,  who specialises in brokering deals for African players, said the tournament's timing had a bearing on transfer deals.

"Some clubs 100% told me they would not bring in a player if they were tied to the Cup of Nations. Now it will mean they don't have that concern," he told BBC World Service.

Saif was the agent of the former Ghana coach Avram Grant
"The flip side is they will be playing in the summer, so could be late for the start of the season though it's better to have a player missing part of August than most of January and February.

"I believe it will mean a player has more of a chance of being signed as opposed to under the old schedule."

The decisions were made following recommendations by the continent’s leading football executives and luminaries at a conference hosted by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) in Morocco earlier this week.

This website uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website.
Learn more