Sulley Muntari believes that the Africans Cup of Nations should be played during the summer in future.
Pompey's Ghanaian star feels it is time for change
Sulley Muntari believes that the Africans Cup of Nations should be played during the summer in future.
The tournament has been held in the New Year since its inception in 1957, but with the influx of African players into European football in recent years many clubs face weeks without their top stars.
With many nations keen for their squad to meet up early in order to prepare for the tournament, some clubs could be without their players for up to a month.
Muntari's club Portsmouth are set to be without four members of their squad for the busy New Year period, and the midfielder believes that the tournament organisers must now begin to look into the prospect of hosting the event during the summer to avoid the clashes.
Possible
"I am just praying that in future they change the timetable and move it to the summer so that we can play for our clubs all the time," Muntari told Portsmouth's official website.
"That is something I feel will benefit everyone and stop all the problems.
"It is certainly something that is possible and the CAF (Confederation of African Football) need to look at it.
"We are playing so well at the moment and all we can do is try to pick up as many points as possible before we have to go off to Africa."
Redknapp
A switch to the summer months would mean players facing baking temperatures, but would remove the problems which currently face European managers such as Harry Redknapp.
"I will be down to a squad of just 14 players capable of playing at Premier League level once the African Nations starts," Redknapp said.
"If we get an injury we are in trouble and I will have to get in a few loan players or some from lower divisions next month to fill up the squad."
