The onset of AFCON 2023 in January 2024 has prompted numerous Premier League stars to represent their countries with call-ups. This has necessitated their absence from club duties. This tournament clash has set a challenge for the English Premier League’s Full Lineup for AFCON, as key players will be away for an extended period, affecting their involvement in both domestic and European fixtures.
The growing presence of African players in the Premier League is a continuous trend. Icons like Didier Drogba and Jay-Jay Okocha emerged from the continent. They have left an indelible mark and ignited aspirations among numerous budding talents.
Facts about English Premier League’s Full Lineup for AFCON
The 2023 Africa Cup of Nations starts on January 13, 2024.
Only Manchester City and Newcastle United from the Premier League won’t be impacted by the tournament.
Nottingham Forest is expected to be without seven players at the beginning of AFCON.
Among the Premier League clubs, only Manchester City and Newcastle United will have their squads unaffected by the tournament, which extends into February 2024. Previously, the absence of Riyad Mahrez would have posed a significant challenge for the reigning champions, but his move to Saudi Arabia in the summer transfer window eased these worries, with Belgian winger Jeremy Doku stepping in as his replacement.
However, several teams are expected to feel the impact more intensely. Currently, the Premier League boasts 52 players enlisted under African nations on its official roster. Remarkably, only two out of the 20 top-flight English clubs do not field a player from the continent.
While names like Liverpool’s standout Mohamed Salah are easily anticipated among them, the complete roster holds further surprises. Curious to know the African players gracing the Premier League? Here’s a rundown of the players who will be absent, with a couple of sides likely to miss multiple key players as the new year begins. Brace yourselves for another mid-season shake-up in the Premier League come January!
English Premier League’s Full Lineup for AFCON
| Club | Players | Nationality |
| Arsenal | Mohamed Elneny, Thomas Partey | Egypt, Ghana |
| Chelsea | Nicolas Jackson | Senegal |
| Liverpool | Mohamed Salah | Egypt |
| Manchester United | Andre Onana, Amad Diallo, Hannibal Mejbri, Sofyan Amrabat | Cameroon, Ivory Coast, Tunisia, Morocco |
| Tottenham Hotspur | Yves Bissouma, Pape Matar Sarr | Mali, Senegal |
| West Ham United | Mohammed Kudus, Said Benrahma, Maxwel Cornet, Nayef Aguerd | Ghana, Algeria, Ivory Coast, Morocco |
| Fulham | Calvin Bassey, Alex Iwobi, Fode Ballo-Toure | Nigeria, Senegal |
| Brentford | Frank Onyeka, Bryan Mbeumo, Yoane Wissa | Nigeria, Cameroon, DR Congo |
| Crystal Palace | Jordan Ayew, Jeffrey Schlupp, Cheick Doucoure | Ghana, Mali |
| Brighton & Hove Albion | Tariq Lamptey, Carlos Baleba, Simon Adingra | Ghana, Cameroon, Ivory Coast |
| Aston Villa | Bertrand Traore | Burkina Faso |
| Nottingham Forest | Ola Aina, Taiwo Awoniyi, Serge Aurier, Willy Boly, Ibrahim Sangare, Moussa Niakhate, Cheikhou Kouyate | Nigeria, Ivory Coast, Senegal |
| Wolverhampton Wanderers | Rayan Ait-Nouri, Boubacar Traore | Algeria, Mali |
| Everton | Idrissa Gueye | Senegal |
| AFC Bournemouth | Dango Ouattara, Antoine Semenyo, Hamed Traore | Burkina Faso, Ghana, Ivory Coast |
| Luton Town | Issa Kabore, Pelly Ruddock Mpanzu | Burkina Faso, DR Congo |
| Sheffield United | Ismaila Coulibaly, Anis Ben Slimane | Mali, Tunisia |
| Burnley | Anass Zaroury, Lyle Foster | Morocco, South Africa |
Arsenal’s English Premier League’s Full Lineup for AFCON
Arsenal faced Mohamed Elneny and Thomas Partey’s absence during previous AFCON tournaments and are bracing for their departure once more in 2024. With Elneny lacking regular playtime and Partey sidelined due to injury, Arsenal’s midfield depth appears depleted. Declan Rice stands as the primary candidate to fill the crucial defensive midfield role, and Mikel Arteta fervently wishes for his fitness throughout January.
It won’t be surprising if Arsenal explores the transfer market for midfield reinforcements. Either through loans or permanent signings, to navigate the initial months of the new year. Although Elneny and Partey might not consistently feature in Arsenal’s top lineup, their significance within the squad raises concerns for Arteta with their AFCON participation.
| Player | Club | Country |
| Thomas Partey | Arsenal | Ghana |
| Mohamed Elneny | Arsenal | Egypt |
Aston Villa
Only one player, Bertrand Traore, will be absent for Aston Villa during the Africa Cup of Nations. The Burkina Faso international hasn’t been a regular in Unai Emery’s lineup and has seen limited action as a substitute in the 2023/24 season. Considering the team’s fitness remains intact, his absence is unlikely to significantly impact the squad given the presence of Moussa Diaby, Leon Bailey, Nicolo Zaniolo, and Jacob Ramsey, all ahead of him in the team hierarchy.
Given Traore’s limited role, Emery might not fret over his absence at the Africa Cup of Nations. Villa’s situation is expected to remain largely unchanged come January.
| Club | Player | Country |
| Aston Villa | Bertrand Traore | Burkina Faso |
Bournemouth- 3 Players
The players include Dango Ouattara, Antoine Semenyo, Hamed Traore
Andoni Iraola, in his debut season with Bournemouth, faces the challenges posed by the mid-season Africa Cup of Nations, with his team set to be directly affected. Three key attacking players – Dango Ouattara, Hamed Traore, and Antoine Semenyo – are slated for international duty in 2024. However, it’s Semenyo’s potential absence that could particularly worry Iraola.
Semenyo has been crucial in 15 matches throughout the first half of the season. The trio’s departure for AFCON signifies a substantial loss of quality in Bournemouth’s attacking options, whether as impact substitutes or starters, especially as the winter schedule becomes more demanding. This absence will undoubtedly be felt by the high-performing Cherries.
| Club | Player | Country |
| Bournemouth | Dango Ouattara | Burkina Faso |
| Bournemouth | Antoine Semenyo | Ghana |
| Bournemouth | Hamed Traore | Ivory Coast |
Brentford-2 Players English Premier League’s Full Lineup for AFCON
The two Players likely to miss the premier league games include Yoane Wissa and Frank Onyeka. The Africa Cup of Nations in January will heavily impact Brentford. This will leave Thomas Frank without a dependable forward. Yoane Wissa’s absence on international duty in January will significantly limit the Bee’s attacking choices. With star striker Ivan Toney currently serving a ban for betting breaches, his potential return, contingent on fitness, is slated for January 30 against Tottenham. Additionally, Bryan Mbeumo would have joined AFCON had he not been sidelined by injury.
This scenario leaves Brentford without their top three attacking options for at least a few weeks into the new year, possibly longer if Toney’s match readiness remains uncertain. As a result, Frank faces a daunting task in team selection and finding suitable replacements.
Brighton-3 Players
Players Carlos Baleba, Simon Adingra, and Samy Chouchane will head to AFCON come January. Simon Adingra and Carlos Baleba stand out as the notable absentees for the Seagulls, with Adingra holding a more established position as a first-team star. Samy Chouchane joins the list of Brighton squad members likely to be sidelined from January games. Consequently, De Zerbi should navigate the competition relatively smoothly, encountering minimal issues.
Brighton’s English Premier League’s Full Lineup for AFCON
| Football Club | Player | Country |
| Brighton | Carlos Baleba | Cameroon |
| Brighton | Simon Adingra | Ivory Coast |
| Brighton | Samy Chouchane | Tunisia |
Burnley-2 Players
Burnley will be without Lyle Foster, and Anass Zaroury. Burnley, much like their fellow promoted teams, will struggle with player availability challenges due to AFCON. Vincent Kompany’s squad will notably miss their starting striker, Lyle Foster, a key figure with 10 appearances in the league, contributing three goals and three assists.
Additionally, Anass Zaroury’s debut in the top flight began on a difficult note with a late red card in the 3-0 loss to Manchester City at Turf Moor on opening day. Since then, Zaroury has struggled to reclaim a spot in the Clarets’ starting lineup. This absence has provided Kompany a glimpse of what he’ll miss during AFCON, prompting the Belgian to strategize ways to maximize his team’s performance.
| Football Club | Player | Country |
| Burnley | Lyle Foster | South Africa |
| Burnley | Anass Zaroury | Morocco |
Chelsea-One Player
Nicolas Jackson will be missing from the Chelsea squad. Chelsea’s dynamics leading up to AFCON have drastically shifted due to their summer transfer dealings. Previously Kalidou Koulibaly, Edouard Mendy, and Hakim Ziyech, would have been absent in January. However, the club’s overhaul under Todd Boehly saw all three departures. Now, Mauricio Pochettino faces only one absence: Nicolas Jackson.
Despite Jackson’s underwhelming performance at Stamford Bridge, marked by missed opportunities and a stint as the Premier League’s least effective finisher earlier this season, the depth of striking options beyond him explains the impact of his absence. Pochettino is poised to keenly feel this void in January. With Boehly’s significant spending, Chelsea likely has plans to secure a new center-forward to mitigate this shortfall.
Crystal Palace-1 Player
Crystal Palace will be without their first-team player Jordan Ayew leaving for AFCON duty in January. Ayew has been a consistent presence on the right wing for the Eagles, playing a crucial role under Roy Hodgson. Meanwhile, Jeffrey Schlupp is currently retired and won’t be participating in the tournament. Additionally, Cheick Doucoure, expected to represent Mali at AFCON, has suffered an Achilles injury sidelining him for the season.
Ayew’s potential absence might find a replacement in Michael Olise, who returned after missing the early Premier League fixtures. Olise’s timely resurgence positions him as the primary right-winger for the club once again, possibly mitigating Ayew’s departure.
Everton- 1 Player
Everton will be without the Senegalese Idrissa Gueye whose extensive participation in 18 of Everton’s matches across various competitions. This solidifies his role as a crucial figure in Sean Dyche’s starting lineup. He is a notable figure in the team’s defensive midfield. With over 100 caps for Senegal, Gueye aims to make an impact in AFCON, leaving his manager with a dilemma back home.
In Gueye’s absence during AFCON in January, James Garner could potentially assume a deeper midfield role. Dyche might also consider deploying Amadou Onana or Abdoulaye Doucoure in that position if needed. Regardless, the Everton manager eagerly anticipates Gueye’s swift return, highlighting his indispensability as the linchpin of the midfield.
Fulham-3 Players
Fulham manager Marco Silva will be without Alex Iwobi, Calvin Bassey, and Fode Ballo-Toure. The Cottagers had earlier bid farewell to Aleksandar Mitrovic in the summer, leaving them to seek alternatives for his goal-scoring prowess. Consequently, losing three potentially influential players for a few weeks adds to the team’s predicament.
The absence of Calvin Bassey and Ballo-Toure from the defensive lineup poses a significant setback for Silva, despite the team holds several alternatives in that area. Nevertheless, Silva eagerly anticipates the return of all three players involved in AFCON to reinforce Fulham’s squad strength.
| English Premier League Club | Player | Country |
| Fulham | Alex Iwobi | Nigeria |
| Fulham | Calvin Bassey | Nigeria |
| Fulham | Fode Ballo-Toure | Senegal |
Liverpool-1 Player
Liverpool will be missing just one player due to AFCON, yet it’s a significant loss: Mohamed Salah. The Egyptian star aims to lead his country to victory in the tournament, leaving Jürgen Klopp without a dependable forward. Fortunately, the Reds benefit from a surplus of options, boasting several high-profile and expensive attackers for Klopp to consider as replacements for their main man.
Liverpool has encountered similar scenarios before, having dealt with both Salah and Sadio Mane’s absence during previous AFCON tournaments. However, Klopp’s adeptness in managing such situations bodes well for the Reds’ continued success. Salah’s exceptional form, including breaking into the Premier League’s top 10 goal scorers of all time, highlights his crucial role in the team.
Luton-2 Players
Luton manager Rob Edwards faces the absence of two crucial players, Issa Kabore and Pelly Ruddock Mpanzu, due to AFCON. Kabore, on loan from Manchester City, has been a consistent presence in the team’s defense. While Mpanzu’s contributions in midfield have been similarly vital.
Mpanzu’s journey from non-league to the Premier League with Luton is widely known. Despite his limited international appearances for DR Congo, his role in the upcoming tournament is expected to be more significant. Luton fans are likely to support Mpanzu’s opportunity to fulfil another dream by representing his country, despite his absence from the team in January.
| Premier League Club | Player | Country |
| Luton | Issa Kabore | Burkina Faso |
| Luton | Pelly Ruddock Mpanzu | DR Congo |
Manchester United-3 Players
Manchester United will be without three important players; Andre Onana, Sofyan Amrabat, and Amad Diallo. Erik ten Hag brought in Andre Onana and Sofyan Amrabat during the summer transfer window, potentially complicating matters for Manchester United once January arrives. If the first-choice goalkeeper is unavailable, the Dutchman might have to rely on Altay Bayindir, a recent addition to the team who hasn’t seen significant playtime before the new year—posing a considerable risk. Despite past high-profile errors in Onana’s record, his absence would still be a substantial loss for the squad.
On the other hand, Amrabat has provided reliable cover for Casemiro amid the Brazilian’s ongoing fitness struggles this season. Additionally, Amrabat offers Ten Hag the flexibility to deploy a formation with two defensive midfielders. With only one Premier League game scheduled for January, the team shouldn’t suffer excessively from these absences. Hannibal Mejbri, the promising youngster, was expected to join Tunisia for AFCON, but Fabrizio Romano’s confirmation indicates that the 20-year-old won’t participate in the tournament. Instead, he’s gearing up for a loan move elsewhere.
Manchester United’s English Premier League’s Full Lineup for AFCON
| Player | Missing For | Country |
| Andre Onana | Manchester United | Cameroon |
| Sofyan Amrabat | Manchester United | Morocco |
| Amad Diallo | Manchester United | Ivory Coast |
Nottingham Forest-7 Players
Nottingham Forest will be without seven players: Serge Aurier, Willy Boly, Ibrahima Sangare, Taiwo Awoniyi, Ola Aina, Cheikhou Kouyate, and Moussa Niakhate.
The upcoming AFCON timing poses a significant challenge for new Nottingham Forest manager Nuno Espírito Santo. He’s bracing for the absence of seven key players, most of whom are integral members of the starting lineup. Notably, three of these absentees form the defensive core: regular full-back Ola Aina, along with centre-backs Willy Boly and Moussa Niakhate.
Adding to the roster setbacks are the midfielders Ibrahim Sangare and Cheikhou Kouyate, both sidelined for the tournament. However, the most impactful absence looms with Taiwo Awoniyi, Forest’s primary striker. When fit, Awoniyi offers vital speed and strength up front, posing a considerable threat to Premier League defences and being a cornerstone of Forest’s attacking strategy.
| Player | Missing For | Country |
| Serge Aurier | Nottingham Forest | Ivory Coast |
| Willy Boly | Nottingham Forest | Ivory Coast |
| Ibrahim Sangare | Nottingham Forest | Ivory Coast |
| Taiwo Awoniyi | Nottingham Forest | Nigeria |
| Ola Aina | Nottingham Forest | Nigeria |
| Cheikhou Kouyate | Nottingham Forest | Senegal |
| Moussa Niakhate | Nottingham Forest | Senegal |
Sheffield United-Two Players
The newly promoted team, Sheffield United will be without two players: Ismaila Coulibaly, and Anis Slimane. Ismaila Coulibaly, who’s yet to make a Premier League appearance but featured in the Carabao Cup, is one set to be absent, alongside summer signing Anis Slimane.
These two haven’t made a substantial impact in the top flight so far. Slimane’s Premier League time amounts to just ten minutes on the opening day against Crystal Palace. After which, he got a hamstring injury, and was sidelined a few weeks. He has since managed eight more appearances. With the Blades likely battling relegation, the absence of these midfielders poses an unwanted challenge for manager Chris Wilder.
| Player | Missing For | Country |
| Ismaila Coulibaly | Sheffield United | Mali |
| Anis Slimane | Sheffield United | Tunisia |
Tottenham-2 Players
Ange Postecoglou, in his debut season at Tottenham, faces disruption to his mid-season plans due to AFCON. The north London team will have to navigate the absence of two crucial midfielders, Yves Bissouma and Pape Matar Sarr. Both players have become integral parts of the new-look Spurs under their Australian manager, making their simultaneous absence a significant setback.
While Senegal is expected to be a strong contender in the tournament, Bissouma’s return might be delayed. Conversely, Sarr’s Mali team might face challenges in progressing far given their competition. This situation suggests that Postecoglou could potentially regain one of his key midfielders sooner in January than initially anticipated.
| Manager | Premier League Club | Missing Players | Country |
| Ange Postecoglou | Tottenham | Yves Bissouma, Pape Matar Sarr | Senegal, Mali |
Westham-4 Players
Westham will be without four players during the AFCON competition in January. They include Mohammed Kudus, Said Benrahma, Maxwel Cornet, and Nayef Aguerd. The upcoming AFCON poses a significant challenge for David Moyes, and is likely to affect West Ham’s performance. The absence of key players—Mohammed Kudus and Said Benrahma in attack, versatile winger Maxwel Cornet, and center-back Nayef Aguerd—leaves Moyes pondering how to manage the team’s dynamics without them. Complicating matters, all four represent nations expected to contend for the trophy, possibly prolonging their absence from West Ham.
Kudus has made an immediate impact at the London Stadium, his departure for AFCON leaving Hammers fans lamenting his absence, while Aguerd has solidified his role in the team’s defensive setup. David Moyes faces a daunting task to maintain stability and performance in their absence during international duties.
| Player | Missing For | Country |
| Mohammed Kudus | West Ham | Ghana |
| Said Benrahma | West Ham | Algeria |
| Maxwel Cornet | West Ham | Ivory Coast |
| Nayef Aguerd | West Ham | Morocco |
Wolverhampton-2 Players
Wolves will be without Rayan Ait-Nouri, Boubacar Traore. Gary O’Neil wouldn’t have anticipated mid-season disruptions at Wolves. Yet that’s precisely what he faces with the unavailability of both Rayan Ait-Nouri and Boubacar Traore. Set to represent Algeria and Mali at AFCON, respectively, their absence poses a challenge. Despite exceeding expectations in the first half of the campaign and securing a solid mid-table position, this setback interrupts the team’s rhythm.
The January transfer window, coinciding with the tournament, could offer O’Neil an opportunity to bolster his squad due to these absences. However, considering the squad’s existing limitations, new signings might have been on the agenda regardless. Among the two absent players, Ait-Nouri’s absence might sting more. Although the presence of Hugo Bueno and Toti Gomes should offer adequate cover in his absence.
| Player | Missing For | Country |
| Rayan Ait-Nouri | Wolves | Algeria |
| Boubacar Traore | Wolves | Mali |