- The 2023 AFCON tournament is set to disrupt the European season
- Whereas some teams will be losing several players, there are others who won’t be having any absentees
- Nottingham Forest will be without the services of six of their players during the tournament
The 2023 AFCON tournament is set to disrupt the European season, with some Premier League teams losing their best players. As many as 43 players are under threat of missing games for their respective clubs when the tournament kicks off in less than two weeks from now.
This year‘s Africa Cup of Nations takes place in Ivory Coast and kick-offs on January 13 to 11 February. Whereas some teams will be losing several players, there are others who won’t be having any absentees. Manchester City, Newcastle United and Burnley are the only teams which will not be affected by the 2023 AFCON tournament.
With that said, let’s take a look at the teams that will be most affected by the departure of their players to the AFCON tournament.
Nottingham Forest – 6
Moussa Niakhate is one of the Nottingham Forest players who will be leaving for AFCON. Photo/ Sporting Life.
Nottingham Forest have been impressive since the arrival of Nuno Espirito Santo a few weeks ago. Forest have defeated Newcastle United and Manchester United in December and are currently out of the relegation zone. However, things could be tough for them in the next coming weeks as they are about to lose six players to AFCON.
The Forest players who will be going to represent their respective countries this month are Ivory Coast trio Serge Aurier, Ibrahim Sangare and Willy Boly, Senegal duo Moussa Niakhate and Cheikhou Kouyate, and Nigeria’s Ola Aina.
Fulham – 3
Fulham are currently 13th on the Premier League standings and bounced back from two straight defeats to beat Arsenal on 31 December. The 2-1 victory over the Gunners could be a big turning point for Marco Silva’s side, but losing three players this January could be a huge blow considering their upcoming fixtures.
The Cottagers will be up against Rotherham in the FA Cup before facing Liverpool in Carabao Cup and then Chelsea in the Premier League. They will then prepare to face Liverpool in the English Premier League before the end of the 2023 AFCON tournament.
Fulham will be without summer arrivals Alex Iwobi and Calvin Bassey, who will be representing Nigeria. Fode Ballo-Toure, who hasn’t been in favour with Marco Silva, has also been called to represent his national team Senegal.
Manchester United – 2
Manchester United will lose goalkeeper Andre Onana and midfielder Sofyan Amrabat during the AFCON tournament in Ivory Coast. Whereas Onana will be representing the Cameroon national team, Amrabat will be playing for Morocco, who are arguably one of the teams to watch out for after a memorable run at the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
Sofyan Amrabat and Andre Onana. Photo/ Manchester United.
Onana has struggled in his first season at Manchester United; however, he has proven to be a key player for the Indomitable Lions who have won the title in recent years.
Tottenham Hotspur will also be missing the services of two players – Yves Bissouma (Mali) and Pape Matar Sarr (Senegal). The two departures will be a huge blow for Ange Postecoglou, who has already lost several players to injury in the past weeks.
The other Premier League teams who will be losing two players during the AFCON tournament are:
- West Ham – Mohammed Kudus and Nayef Aguerd
- Brentford – Frank Onyeka and Yoane Wissa
- Sheffield United – Anis Ben Slimane and Yasser Larouci
- Wolves – Rayan Ait-Nouri and Boubacar Traore
Chelsea – 1
Chelsea is one of the seven Premier League clubs who will be missing one player due to the AFCON tournament. The Blues will be without Senegalese forward Nicolas Jackson, who will be helping his country defend the title they won two years ago.
Liverpool will be missing the services of their talisman in front of goal Mohamed Salah. The talented winger, who has been one of the best players in the Premier League several years now, will be representing the Egypt national team. This will be his fourth AFCON tournament.
Mohamed Salah is the only Liverpool player who will be leaving for AFCON this year. Photo/ Sporting Life.
The other teams who will be missing one player during the AFCON tournament are:
- Arsenal – Mohamed Elneny
- Aston Villa – Bertrand Traore
- Crystal Palace – Jordan Ayew
- Everton – Idrissa Gueye
- Luton Town – Issa Kabore
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