November 22, 2024
The 2023 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) is less than a month away, and as the competition draws nigher, its inescapability sends shivers down the spine of some top European clubs who have no choice, but to release their top stars to represent their respective countries in Cote d’Ivoire, regardless of the continuity of club football.
This AFCON edition will run between 13 January and 11 February 2024, due to adverse weather conditions in the host country—a development set to spark another club versus country clash for the loyalties of African players in Europe, with most African countries set to come out tops in the round yet again.
In light of this, Six Sports takes a look at the top African footballers who’ll be in action for their countries instead of their clubs this winter.
Two-time African footballer of the year—Mo Salah, will miss a pivotal part of Liverpool’s resurgence season to represent Egypt at the AFCON 2023.
Salah has proven to be a key figure for the Reds since he arrived from Roma in 2017, scoring 200 goals to become the club’s 5th top scorer, coupled with relevant trophies won. He came so close to adding the missing AFCON title to his cabinet last time out, but was denied by Senegal who extended his search for the most coveted African Cup of Nations.
Without a doubt, Cote d’Ivoire 2023 is another chance for the 31-year-old to try his luck again with his father’s land Egypt, but it’ll be at the detriment of his club side Liverpool.
The Napoli poster boy who recently just recovered from an injury he picked during international duties with Nigeria is set to head straight for AFCON at a crucial time when his goal-scoring prowess will be missed by the Partenopei.
Osimhen will be heading into the 34th AFCON as the current African footballer of the year, but that accolade was largely made possible due to his contributions to ending Napoli’s 33-year Scudetto drought— an ironical mixup when you consider the cause célèbre ignited by Napoli’s President Aurelio De Laurentiis, when he sent a sublime slur at Africans and the AFCON back in August.
Onana’s time away from Manchester United in January might be a blessing in disguise for both parties, as the Cameroonian move away from Inter Milan to Manchester United after a remarkable season has resulted in mixed reactions about his abilities.
Many pundits and fans attribute United’s early exit from the Champions League to the 2018 African goalkeeper of the year, due to his clumsy performances that saw him concede 15 goals as the Mancunian giants bowed out of the UCL in a horrible style.
Manchester United's worst-ever Champions League campaign 😳 pic.twitter.com/xMp4oibt7W
— GOAL (@goal) December 13, 2023
Whether his services will be missed for United in January remains to be seen, but Andre Onana is also set to put club football on hold for his national allegiances in January.
The Paris Saint Germain’s fullback played a pivotal role in Morocco’s incredulous outing at the Qatar 2022 FIFA World Cup, and will once again be counted on as the Atlas Lions look to enforce their superiority as the reigning National Team in Africa.
With 21 goal contributions in 21 matches across all competitions for Bayer Leverkusen, Victor Boniface has not only been a jackpot signing for Xavi Alonso, his performances have earned him a bragging right as one of the best summer signings in Europe so far.
The Nigerian has won five straight Rookie of the Month awards in the Bundesliga, but will have to miss a run of deciding games for the Die Werkself, in their long shot at the Bundesliga title.
🚨 𝗢𝗙𝗙𝗜𝗖𝗜𝗔𝗟: Victor Boniface has won the Rookie of the Month award in the Bundesliga for the 5th month in a row! 🤯🇳🇬
✅ August
✅ September
✅ October
✅ November
✅ December pic.twitter.com/gVL6nkJDcf— Football Tweet ⚽ (@Football__Tweet) December 20, 2023
Since arriving at Chelsea from Villarreal in a €37m move back in June, Jackson has been an integral part of Mauricio Pochettino’s set-up, despite inconsistencies in his performances.
The Senegalese striker has contributed seven goals and an assist in 16 league matches for Chelsea and is on course to be called up for the Teranga Lions title defence, after missing out on their 2021 triumph.
The Ghanaian midfielder has undoubtedly endured a frustrating start to this campaign, after dropping behind Declan Rice and Kai Havertz on the pecking order, and also getting injured in the mix.
Now rumoured to be fully recovered, Cote d’Ivoire 2023 presents itself as a glorious opportunity for Thomas Partey to reignite his form.
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