Football on the domestic scene would certainly be the winner as Africa welcomes with glowing praise the introduction of the Africa Nations Championships.
The competition is a new one designed by CAF - the sport governing body - for only home-based players of its member countries.
Over the weekend, the continent was kept busy as home-based players representing their countries got off the campaign with the preliminary round qualifying matches of the new competition.
The introduction of the competition is expected to improve the standard of the game and also help coaches identify talents and build teams, having struggled in the past to raise home sides to represent their nations.
Despite the many positives that the competition promises, Ghana’s coach, Claude Le Roy, who has endorsed the competition is however looking at the other side of the scenario as the Africa Nations Championships - CHAN - offers a platform for players to catch the eyes of the many scouts who would be following the new tournament.
The expected loss of exciting players to the leagues outside the shores of Africa remains an inevitable fact and the Ghana coach has told KickOffGhana.com of the potential problems the CHAN could come with.
“We have to guide these players against the merchants of slavery who will just simply be watching to pounce on this for their next victim.
“If I mention any names of those who impressed, tomorrow someone will be making false promises and taking them to Europe. That could be one of the dangers of this competition.”
But despite the challenges that the competition is likely to face, Le Roy who guided Ghana to a 2-0 win over Niger in the opening qualifying game on Sunday at the Tamale Sports Stadium is hopeful that the competition will grow to become one of the best competitions in world football.
“This is a very good competition,” he said. “It is fantastic idea and I think in future we will come to know that. Great competitions have humble beginnings and I think in future we will be speaking about this competition in the same breadth as we speak about the Champions League,” he said.
Ghana striker, Eric Bekoe shares his coach’s view about the impact the competition would make in future.
“It’s (African Nations Championship) a chance for we (the locals), to prove ourselves and make it to the senior side.
“It’s every player’s hope to get into the senior side and we’ve got to make it. This competition offers us the opportunity to break into the senior team,” Bekoe said.