Roberto Mancini, the coach of Manchester City, expressed his desire to prevent his Ivorian players, Kolo and Yaya Touré, from participating in the 2013 African Cup of Nations (CAN) in South Africa. Mancini is concerned about losing the Touré brothers, along with Abdul Razak, during the competition, as it would leave Manchester City vulnerable in case of injuries.
Mancini did not specify the means he would use to prevent the players from participating in the CAN, but his statement reflects his frustration with the timing of the tournament in January, which clashes with the Premier League season. Clubs often face challenges when key players leave for international tournaments, especially when they coincide with the domestic league schedule.
