The 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) is quick approaching and among the Premier League’s greatest stars might go away their golf equipment for as much as a month.
Not like the Euros and the Copa America which happen in the summertime, AFCON is often held within the winter months. That is usually due to points with the warmth, though this yr’s version, which will likely be held in Morocco, was supposed to occur final summer season. Nevertheless, in an effort to keep away from clashing with FIFA’s expanded Membership World Cup, the match was moved to the winter.
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Going down between between December 21 and January 18, it means various star gamers will likely be unavailable for his or her golf equipment through the busy festive interval. The period of time they’re absent will clearly depend upon how effectively their nationwide groups do within the match.
So how will it have an effect on Premier League groups?
Excessive-flying Sunderland are the group that will likely be most closely impacted, with seven of their gamers set to characteristic on the match – Reinildo Mandava (Mozambique), Arthur Masuaku (DR Congo), Habib Diarra (Senegal), Noah Sadiki (DR Congo), Simon Adingra (Ivory Coast), Chemsdine Talbi (Morocco) and Bertrand Traore (Burkina Faso).
The Black Cats will likely be down on numbers as they face Brighton, Leeds, Manchester Metropolis, Tottenham, Brentford and Crystal Palace throughout that interval.
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Wolves are already in serious trouble on the backside of the Premier League desk and can face extra challenges when as much as 5 of their gamers head to AFCON – Emmanuel Agbadou (Ivory Coast), Jackson Tchatchoua (Cameroon), Marshall Munetsi (Zimbabwe), Tawanda Chirewa (Zimbabwe) and Tolu Arokodare (Nigeria).
Fellow strugglers Nottingham Forest may even be left quick staffed. They may very well be with out 4 gamers – Willy Boly (Ivory Coast), Ola Aina (Nigeria), Ibrahim Sangare (Ivory Coast) and Taiwo Awoniyi (Nigeria). As will Crystal Palace – Chadi Riad (Morocco), Cheick Doucoure (Mali), Ismaila Sarr (Senegal) and Christantus Uche (Nigeria).
Manchester United are set to lose two of their most vital attackers in each Bryan Mbeumo (Cameroon) and Amad Diallo (Ivory Coast). Ruben Amorim can be set to lose defender Noussair Mazraoui (Morocco) for as much as a month as effectively.
Bryan Mbeumo celebrates for Man Utd (Picture by Alex Pantling/Getty Photos)
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Everton – Adam Aznou (Morocco), Idrissa Gueye (Senegal) and Iliman Ndiaye (Senegal), and Burnley – Axel Tuanzebe (DR Congo), Hannibal Mejbri (Tunisia) and Lyle Foster (South Africa) are additionally more likely to lose three gamers through the match. Fulham, in the meantime, are set to be with out their Nigerian trio – Calvin Bassey (Nigeria), Alex Iwobi (Nigeria) and Samuel Chukwueze (Nigeria).
Manchester Metropolis will likely be weakened by the absence of two latest signings – Omar Marmoush (Egypt) and Rayan Ait-Nouri (Algeria). Pep Guardiola’s aspect will attempt to maintain tempo with Arsenal as they face some powerful fixtures through the AFCON interval, notably towards Chelsea and Man United.
Tottenham Hotspur will likely be left quick in midfield, as in addition they lose two gamers – Yves Bissouma (Mali) and Pape Sarr (Senegal). Nevertheless Thomas Frank will likely be relieved to retain the providers of Mohammed Kudus, after Ghana didn’t qualify for the competitors.
West Ham will likely be with out two of their full-backs – El Hadji Malick Diouf (Senegal) and Aaron Wan-Bissaka (DR Congo).
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Mohamed Salah (Egypt) would be the greatest title on the match and an enormous miss for Liverpool. Arne Slot’s aspect face Spurs and Arsenal over the interval AFCON is happening, as their prospects of retaining the title develop more and more dimmer.
Mo Salah celebrates with Egypt (Picture by ABDEL MAJID BZIOUAT/AFP by way of Getty Photos)
Newcastle will lose Yoane Wissa (DR Congo), with the ahead nonetheless but to make his debut for the Magpies. Brighton will likely be with out key midfielder Carlos Baleba (Cameroon), whereas Aston Villa’s Evann Guessand (Ivory Coast) will likely be at AFCON, as will Bournemouth’s Amine Adli (Morocco). The Cherries will likely be equally relieved to Spurs that Ghana didn’t qualify, permitting them to maintain talisman Antoine Semenyo.
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The remaining groups, Arsenal, Chelsea and Leeds United, will all keep their full numbers all through AFCON. That is certain to supply them with a lift as they face weakened opposition and their rivals are diminished.
The influence of the match may very well be large, not solely due to the gamers which can be absent, but in addition the have an effect on it can have on the gamers that stay. With the festive interval as busy as ever, it’s nightmare timing for groups to have their squads lowered.
AFCON is certain to supply quite a few complications for Premier League managers, and for the fortunate few that will likely be unaffected, it might effectively be an enormous benefit.