The 2023 Africa Cup of Nations is in full swing, unfolding with considerable drama in Ivory Coast. The tournament has witnessed underdog triumphs, as teams like Cape Verde, Equatorial Guinea, Mozambique, Angola, and Namibia defy FIFA rankings to secure results against African football powerhouses.
Consequently, numerous high-profile Premier League players are at risk of an early departure from AFCON, potentially benefiting their respective top-flight clubs currently missing key contributors.
Nigeria:
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While the top four best-performing third-placed teams in the group stage also advance to the knockout rounds, Nigeria’s shaky start to the 2023 tournament raises questions about their progression. A 1-1 draw with Equatorial Guinea, a team 46 places below them in FIFA rankings, sets an uncertain tone. An early exit for Nigeria would mean Fulham welcomes back Alex Iwobi and Calvin Bassey, benefiting Nottingham Forest by having Ola Aina return, and Brentford seeing the comeback of Frank Onyeka.
Egypt:
Egypt, traditionally a strong AFCON contender, faced an unexpected challenge with a draw against Mozambique. A busy schedule at the end of January and early February might make Liverpool less disappointed to see Mohamed Salah return sooner, while Arsenal could regain Mohamed Elneny if Egypt fails to progress beyond the group stage.
Ghana:
Ghana’s Group B opener ended in a 2-1 defeat to Cape Verde, placing them in a challenging position for automatic qualification. West Ham’s Mohammed Kudus, absent due to injury, could potentially return sooner, easing the disappointment for the Hammers. Jordan Ayew of Crystal Palace and Antoine Semenyo of Bournemouth are also players who might be back earlier than expected.
Cameroon:
Cameroon faced Guinea in their Group C opener, settling for a 1-1 draw despite the opposing team’s reduced numbers. With Senegal also in their group, automatic qualification is a formidable task. The only Premier League representative for Cameroon, Andre Onana, may be available for the remainder of the group stage after delaying his call-up following Manchester United’s clash with Tottenham on January 14.