One thing what seems clear is some of the best footballers in the teams doesnt play at the 100% of their capacities. And for me that is pure guilt of the african federation and this seems the same in the asian one, WHY you play this cup in the middle of the european torunaments? Why dont play like eurocup or america cup, so maybe the players were much more relaxed and they play at 100% without the fear of being injured.
I could careless about when it's being player, January or June why the hell should it matter ? Players get injured during training don't they ? Not trying to get injured is nothing short of an unreasonable excuse for any player here, If you really can't play for your country then where lies your integrity, if they didn't want to represent the national country, no player is being forced to by FIFA or any governing body, they could announce their country side retirement and they won't get punished for it, Onana did retire from national football at the last AFCON and nothing happened, his country moved on, and before he rescinded on his decision. Asia and Africa are two different geographical location from Europe and they decide to play their continental tournament when the weather is most favorable to them, If FIFA can because whatsoever reason to shift the World as a major tournament because Qatar was supposedly hosting to the middle of the league just barely over a year ago, and every player on the continent were clamoring to be there, Asian Cup and AFCON shouldn't be of any exception if they're choosing to very early into the year either due climatic factors and other reasonable factors, if we are still considering Football to be an all inclusive sport, after all they world doesn't evolve around Europe alone, and more so even during the Euro Competitions their still some leagues in Europe that have league matches up and running too.
Bottom line: Scouts from all over the world are definitely watching and following these games, so if any player can't represent their country with their integrity, I wonder why any club would expect loyalty from such player if there is a sudden change in circumstance, because a lot of these players were scouted from their national teams during the Under 17 - Under 23 competitions, why then should there the be a circumstance as such that would make them not represent those flags, there is saying "When you sell your brother, even your buyer will not trust you.", but just that these time they are not selling their Brothers, they're selling the place they all call "Home!"
Man, i think like you and i support your way of thinking but the world doesnt work on that way, i can assure you because i know that a lot of players dont put all when their play in some cases, and this is one.
For example here (in sudamerica) when a player is sounded or already signed with an european team you can see how he stop playing super hard for the team and start to preserv his legs, he donest go to the clashes with all his effort and avoid hard playing.
Here is clearly the same super teams playing bad...... clearly they are playing with 70% of their force and the weak ones are fully commited to the national cause.
Do you think someone like X wants to go ultra hard in a clash and ended with a break bone? NO, because he knows he have to secure his carrer in europe and that can end his carreer.
Sorry but i see that in this tournament.
Ghana and Egypt bottled it. 
