Much has been written about January's African Cup of Nations' effect on the title race in the Premier League. Quite a few of the teams vying for the title will lose key players during the month long tournament. Chelsea stand to suffer the most, losing Didier Drogba, Michael Essien, John Obi Mikel and Solomon Kalou.
I am more curious to see how this tournament will affect the African teams' chances in the World Cup. African teams have never advanced past the quarterfinals of the World Cup, and only Cameroon (1990), and Senegal (2002) have advanced that far. African teams are already at an advantage, having the World Cup on their own continent. African fans will have cheaper and shorter travel than in every other prior World Cup. Of the eighteen World Cups played, six have been won by the host team, and six more have been won in the winning team's home continent. In addition, two of Brazil's other wins took place in countries that had no realistic shot of winning the competition (USA '94, South Korea/Japan '02).
Perhaps the most important aspect of the African teams playing in the African Cup of Nations tournament is the level of play the tournament will provide. Having competitive matches with a chance to win silverware is a big advantage over teams from every other federation. International friendlies do not offer the same level of competition.
Whether or not an African team team advances past the quarterfinal round, much less lifts the Jules Rimet, is unknown. Playing in the African Cup of Nations will provide the best preparation for next summer's World Cup.
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