Cameroon are due to host the tournament, which has been delayed by a year because of the coronavirus pandemic, from January 9 to February 6 next year.
There have been widespread reports that the tournament could be rescheduled or cancelled entirely because of the coronavirus omicron variant which continues to spread across the globe.
Some European clubs have even threatened to block their players from participating in the tournament to prevent them from contracting the virus.
Vieira, who was born in Senegal but played international football for France, will lose Cheikhou Kouyate, Wilfried Zaha and Jordan Ayew to the tournament but he maintains the same importance should be attached to Africa’s flagship tourney like the Euros.
“I respect and I understand the passion and importance of those players to go and represent their country. I will never stop any players going to the Africa Cup of Nations,” Vieira said at a press conference on Friday.
“I believe that competition has to be more respected because this competition is as important as the European Championship.
“With Senegal, I don’t think people understand [Sadio] Mane or Cheikhou Kouyate not representing their nation.
“If there was more coverage people will understand how important it is for the African continent.”
