Watford’s Adam Masina Defies Club, Joins Morocco for Africa Cup of Nations

Watford has about half a dozen potential African starters, and therefore remains the European club most penalized by the CAN. This is how the club tried to retain several internationals, including the Moroccan Adam Masina, reports Bein Sports.

"We had an agreement, but there was a small problem at the last moment, when the club was going through a key moment of the season, with 3 important matches in quick succession," said the 28-year-old player. The sporting director then asked me to stay, but I had already decided to go to the CAN to help my team. I don’t regret it, it’s a great opportunity that is offered to me," the player confides.

African players have always found themselves in a dilemma when it comes to playing for the national team. They have to choose between the demands of their respective clubs and the desire to play for their country. The coach of Morocco is one of those coaches who have often asked their players to disobey their clubs in order to fulfill their patriotic duty.

Vahid Halilhodzic has often attacked FIFA, denouncing its lack of firmness in the face of the refusal of certain clubs when it comes to releasing players for major competitions.