Africa Cup of Nations

CAMEROON take on Burkina Faso in their opening Africa Cup of Nations game in Yaounde.The hosts are looking to win their sixth title and kick off their campaign against the Stallions in what should be a cracker of an opener.
Cameroon are hosting this year’s Africa Cup of NationsCredit: AFP
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A victory would put Cameroon in good stead to qualify to the knockout stages with Cape Verge and Ethiopia left to play.
Burkina Faso could make their mark early in the tournament with a win over the Indomitable Lions.
What time does Cameroon vs Burkina Faso kick-off?

Cameroon’s AFCON 2022 opener with Burkina Faso will get underway from 4pm UK time on Sunday, January 9.
The game will take place at the Paul Biya Stadium in Cameroon’s capital Yaounde.
There will be an 80 per cent capacity allowed inside the stadium for the match.

What channel is it and can it be live streamed?

Cameroon vs Burkina Faso will be shown live on Sky Sports Premier League in the UK.
You can live stream the action from the NOW TV or Sky Go apps, both of which are available for download onto your mobile or tablet device.

Team news
Burkina Faso will be hoping Bertrand Traore can be the hero once again as he scored the winner in this very same game four years ago.
But they do have an injury worry in Abdoul Tapsoba, who may have to take things easy on the bench with a muscular problem.
Cameroon have plenty of firepower ready to be unleashed and can expect to have both Vincent Aboubakar and Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting available from the off.
Experienced goalkeeper Andre Onana will also likely be in the XI, despite missing most of 2021 with a suspension.
However, Kalidou Koulibaly has revealed he has tested positive for coronavirus and therefore will not play.
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Odds

Cameroon – 11/20
Draw – 13/5
Burkina Faso – 11/2

*Odds courtesy of Betfair and correct at time of publication. More

THE first international tournament of a packed 2022 is almost upon us.Twice delayed, the Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon will finally get underway this weekend with the hosts taking on Burkina Faso.
Algeria stunned hosts Egypt to win the Africa Cup of Nations three years agoCredit: Reuters
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A host of Premier League stars have travelled for the tournament where Algeria will look to defend the title they won in 2019.
When is AFCON 2022?

Taking place over a month, the tournament will open with Cameroon vs Burkina Faso on Sunday, January 9.
The competition follows a familiar pattern, with group stages followed by a knockout format.
The final will be held on Sunday, February 6 in Olembe.
Kick-off times during the group stages will be at 1pm, 4pm and 7pm GMT.

How can I watch on TV and live stream?
Every match of AFCON 2022 will be shown live on Sky Sports in the UK.
You can find the matches on Sky Sports Football, Premier League and Main Event, depending on other scheduling.
To stream, Sky subscribers can use the Sky Go app to stream on their mobile, tablet or PC.
Non-subscribers can get a monthly NOW TV pass to watch all of the action, while daily and weekly passes are also available from £9.99.
It’s set to be an exciting month of action in Cameroon, with Senegal pre-tournament favourites
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Africa Cup of Nations fixtures
Sunday, January 9

Group A: Cameron vs Burkina Faso (4pm) Sky Sports Premier League
Group A: Ethiopia vs Cape Verde (7pm) Sky Sports Football

Monday, January 10

Group B: Senegal vs Zimbabwe (1pm) Sky Sports Premier League
Group B: Guinea vs Malawi (4pm) Sky Sports Premier League
Group C: Morocco vs Ghana (4pm) Sky Sports Football
Group C: Comoros vs Gabon (7pm) Sky Sports Premier League

Tuesday, January 11

Group E: Algeria vs Sierra Leone (1pm) Sky Sports Premier League
Group D: Nigeria vs Egypt (4pm) Sky Sports Premier League
Group D: Sudan vs Guinea-Bissau (7pm) Sky Sports Premier League

Wednesday, January 12

Group F: Tunisia vs Mali (1pm) Sky Sports Premier League
Group F: Mauritania vs Gambia (4pm) Sky Sports Premier League
Group E: Equatorial Guinea vs Ivory Coast Sky Sports Premier League

Thursday, January 13

Group A: Cameroon vs Ethiopia (4pm) Sky Sports Premier League
Group A: Cape Verde vs Burkina Faso (7pm) Sky Sports Premier League

Friday, January 14

Group B: Senegal vs Guinea (1pm) Sky Sports Premier League
Group B: Malawi vs Zimbabwe (4pm) Sky Sports Premier League
Group C: Morocco vs Comoros (4pm) Sky Sports Football
Group C: Gabon vs Ghana (7pm) Sky Sports Football

Saturday, January 15

Group D: Nigeria vs Sudan (4pm) Sky Sports Football
Group D: Guinea-Bissau vs Egypt (7pm) Sky Sports Football

Sunday, January 16

Group F: Gambia vs Mali (1pm) Sky Sports Mix FREE
Group E: Ivory Coast vs Sierra Leone (4pm) Sky Sports Football
Group F: Tunisia vs Mauritania (4pm) Sky Sports Mix FREE
Group E: Algeria vs Equatorial Guinea (7pm) Sky Sports Mix FREE

Monday, January 17

Group A: Burkina Faso vs Ethiopia (4pm) Sky Sports Premier League
Group A: Cape Verde vs Cameroon (4pm) Sky Sports Football

Tuesday, January 18

Group B: Malawi vs Senegal (4pm) Sky Sports Football
Group B: Zimbabwe vs Guinea (4pm) Sky Sports Premier League
Group C: Gabon vs Morocco (7pm) Sky Sports Football
Group C: Ghana vs Comoros (7pm) Sky Sports Premier League

Wednesday, January 19

Group D: Egypt vs Sudan (7pm) Sky Sports Football
Group D: Guinea-Bissau vs Nigeria (7pm) Sky Sports Premier League

Thursday, January 20

Group E: Ivory Coast vs Algeria (4pm) Sky Sports Football
Group E: Sierra Leone vs Equatorial Guinea (4pm) Sky Sports Premier League
Group F: Gambia vs Tunisia (7pm) Sky Sports Football
Group F: Mali vs Mauritania (7pm) Sky Sports Premier League

Knockout stages
Last sixteen – Sunday, January 23

TBC vs TBC (4pm)
TBC vs TBC (7pm)

Monday, January 24

TBC vs TBC (4pm)
TBC vs TBC (7pm)

Tuesday, January 25

TBC vs TBC (4pm)
TBC vs TBC (7pm)

Wednesday, January 26

TBC vs TBC (4pm)
TBC vs TBC (7pm)

Quarter-finals – Saturday, January 29

TBC vs TBC (4pm)
TBC vs TBC (7pm)

Sunday, January 30

TBC vs TBC (4pm)
TBC vs TBC (7pm)

Semi-finals – Wednesday, February 2

TBC vs TBC (7pm)

Thursday, February 3

TBC vs TBC (7pm)

Third-place play-off – Sunday, February 6

TBC vs TBC (4pm)

Final – Sunday, February 6

TBC vs TBC (7pm) More

THE first international tournament of a packed 2022 is almost upon us.Twice delayed, the Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon will finally get underway this weekend with the hosts taking on Burkina Faso.
Algeria stunned hosts Egypt to win the Africa Cup of Nations three years agoCredit: Reuters
JOIN SUN VEGAS: GET A FREE £10 BONUS WITH 100s OF GAMES TO PLAY AND NO DEPOSIT REQUIRED (Ts&Cs apply)

A host of Premier League stars have travelled for the tournament where Algeria will look to defend the title they won in 2019.
When is AFCON 2022?

Taking place over a month, the tournament will open with Cameroon vs Burkina Faso on Sunday, January 9.
The competition follows a familiar pattern, with group stages followed by a knockout format.
The final will be held on Sunday, February 6 in Olembe.
Kick-off times during the group stages will be at 1pm, 4pm and 7pm GMT.

How can I watch on TV and live stream?
Every match of AFCON 2022 will be shown live on Sky Sports in the UK.
You can find the matches on Sky Sports Football, Premier League and Main Event, depending on other scheduling.
To stream, Sky subscribers can use the Sky Go app to stream on their mobile, tablet or PC.
Non-subscribers can get a monthly NOW TV pass to watch all of the action, while daily and weekly passes are also available from £9.99.
It’s set to be an exciting month of action in Cameroon, with Senegal pre-tournament favourites
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Africa Cup of Nations fixtures
Sunday, January 9

Group A: Cameron vs Burkina Faso (4pm) Sky Sports Premier League
Group A: Ethiopia vs Cape Verde (7pm) Sky Sports Football

Monday, January 10

Group B: Senegal vs Zimbabwe (1pm) Sky Sports Premier League
Group B: Guinea vs Malawi (4pm) Sky Sports Premier League
Group C: Morocco vs Ghana (4pm) Sky Sports Football
Group C: Comoros vs Gabon (7pm) Sky Sports Premier League

Tuesday, January 11

Group E: Algeria vs Sierra Leone (1pm) Sky Sports Premier League
Group D: Nigeria vs Egypt (4pm) Sky Sports Premier League
Group D: Sudan vs Guinea-Bissau (7pm) Sky Sports Premier League

Wednesday, January 12

Group F: Tunisia vs Mali (1pm) Sky Sports Premier League
Group F: Mauritania vs Gambia (4pm) Sky Sports Premier League
Group E: Equatorial Guinea vs Ivory Coast Sky Sports Premier League

Thursday, January 13

Group A: Cameroon vs Ethiopia (4pm) Sky Sports Premier League
Group A: Cape Verde vs Burkina Faso (7pm) Sky Sports Premier League

Friday, January 14

Group B: Senegal vs Guinea (1pm) Sky Sports Premier League
Group B: Malawi vs Zimbabwe (4pm) Sky Sports Premier League
Group C: Morocco vs Comoros (4pm) Sky Sports Football
Group C: Gabon vs Ghana (7pm) Sky Sports Football

Saturday, January 15

Group D: Nigeria vs Sudan (4pm) Sky Sports Football
Group D: Guinea-Bissau vs Egypt (7pm) Sky Sports Football

Sunday, January 16

Group F: Gambia vs Mali (1pm) Sky Sports Mix FREE
Group E: Ivory Coast vs Sierra Leone (4pm) Sky Sports Football
Group F: Tunisia vs Mauritania (4pm) Sky Sports Mix FREE
Group E: Algeria vs Equatorial Guinea (7pm) Sky Sports Mix FREE

Monday, January 17

Group A: Burkina Faso vs Ethiopia (4pm) Sky Sports Premier League
Group A: Cape Verde vs Cameroon (4pm) Sky Sports Football

Tuesday, January 18

Group B: Malawi vs Senegal (4pm) Sky Sports Football
Group B: Zimbabwe vs Guinea (4pm) Sky Sports Premier League
Group C: Gabon vs Morocco (7pm) Sky Sports Football
Group C: Ghana vs Comoros (7pm) Sky Sports Premier League

Wednesday, January 19

Group D: Egypt vs Sudan (7pm) Sky Sports Football
Group D: Guinea-Bissau vs Nigeria (7pm) Sky Sports Premier League

Thursday, January 20

Group E: Ivory Coast vs Algeria (4pm) Sky Sports Football
Group E: Sierra Leone vs Equatorial Guinea (4pm) Sky Sports Premier League
Group F: Gambia vs Tunisia (7pm) Sky Sports Football
Group F: Mali vs Mauritania (7pm) Sky Sports Premier League

Knockout stages
Last sixteen – Sunday, January 23

TBC vs TBC (4pm)
TBC vs TBC (7pm)

Monday, January 24

TBC vs TBC (4pm)
TBC vs TBC (7pm)

Tuesday, January 25

TBC vs TBC (4pm)
TBC vs TBC (7pm)

Wednesday, January 26

TBC vs TBC (4pm)
TBC vs TBC (7pm)

Quarter-finals – Saturday, January 29

TBC vs TBC (4pm)
TBC vs TBC (7pm)

Sunday, January 30

TBC vs TBC (4pm)
TBC vs TBC (7pm)

Semi-finals – Wednesday, February 2

TBC vs TBC (7pm)

Thursday, February 3

TBC vs TBC (7pm)

Third-place play-off – Sunday, February 6

TBC vs TBC (4pm)

Final – Sunday, February 6

TBC vs TBC (7pm) More

THE Africa Cup of Nations 2021 is almost upon us after twice being delayed.Originally slated for June this year, the tournament was first moved to February before the Covid-19 pandemic forced yet another delay.
@font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Regular.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Regular.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Regular.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Regular.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:400;font-display:swap;}@font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Medium.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Medium.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Medium.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Medium.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:500;font-display:swap;}@font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:400;font-stretch:semi-condensed;font-display:swap;}@font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Bold.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Bold.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Bold.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Bold.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:700;font-stretch:normal;font-display:swap;}@font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:700;font-stretch:condensed;font-display:swap;}.css-qu9fel{border-top:1px solid #dcdddd;}.css-b9nmbi{margin-bottom:16px;border-top:1px solid #dcdddd;}.css-1qsre5o{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;height:100%;-webkit-align-items:flex-start;-webkit-box-align:flex-start;-ms-flex-align:flex-start;align-items:flex-start;-webkit-align-content:flex-start;-ms-flex-line-pack:flex-start;align-content:flex-start;-webkit-box-flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-wrap:nowrap;-ms-flex-wrap:nowrap;flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-direction:column;-ms-flex-direction:column;flex-direction:column;-webkit-box-pack:justify;-webkit-justify-content:space-between;justify-content:space-between;}.css-q8gelu{margin-bottom:24px;}.css-7ysxcx{padding:0;text-transform:uppercase;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-7ysxcx:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-jkwlot{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;height:100%;-webkit-align-items:center;-webkit-box-align:center;-ms-flex-align:center;align-items:center;-webkit-flex-direction:row;-ms-flex-direction:row;flex-direction:row;-webkit-box-pack:justify;-webkit-justify-content:space-between;justify-content:space-between;padding:0;text-transform:uppercase;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-jkwlot:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-zkaekv{font-family:The Sun;font-size:24px;line-height:1.1666666666666667;font-weight:400;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:semi-condensed;padding:1px 0px;}.css-zkaekv::before{content:”;display:block;height:0;width:0;margin-bottom:calc(-0.24520833333333342em + -1px);}.css-zkaekv::after{content:”;display:block;height:0;width:0;margin-top:-0.2333333333333334em;}.css-1lobn43{display:inline;font:inherit;margin:0;color:rgba(0,0,0,1);}.css-1lobn43 svg{fill:rgba(0,0,0,1);}LATEST IN SUN BINGO AND VEGAS.css-1gojmfd{margin-bottom:16px;}.css-zdjvqv{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;height:100%;-webkit-align-items:flex-start;-webkit-box-align:flex-start;-ms-flex-align:flex-start;align-items:flex-start;-webkit-align-content:flex-start;-ms-flex-line-pack:flex-start;align-content:flex-start;-webkit-box-flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-wrap:nowrap;-ms-flex-wrap:nowrap;flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-direction:column;-ms-flex-direction:column;flex-direction:column;-webkit-box-pack:space-around;-ms-flex-pack:space-around;-webkit-justify-content:space-around;justify-content:space-around;margin-top:calc(-12px/2);margin-bottom:calc(-12px/2);}.css-zdjvqv:before,.css-zdjvqv:after{content:”;display:block;}.css-1meuhfk{display:-webkit-inline-box;display:-webkit-inline-flex;display:-ms-inline-flexbox;display:inline-flex;margin-top:calc(12px/2);margin-bottom:calc(12px/2);}
Algeria are out to defend the AFCON title they won in 2019
Cameroon will host the showpiece which sees Algeria looking to defend the title they won two years ago.
And a host of Premier League stars will be playing, despite the competition taking place in the middle of the domestic season.
When do Premier League players leave for AFCON?
With AFCON taking place mid-season, a number of Premier League clubs are going to be affected by their players leaving.
The competition runs between Sunday, January 9 to Sunday, February 6.
This year there are 24 nations competing, with the group stage featuring six groups of four teams.
Following that will be the traditional knockouts, before the final itself on February 6 in Olembe.
The tournament has twice been rescheduled but is finally going ahead in Cameroon
With preparations to make before the big kick-off, it was expected that Prem players would have to meet up with their teammates around New Year.
But officials have decided that all players can stay with their parent clubs until January 3.
A statement read: “CAF has decided that for those players who have official club matches between the 27 December 2021 and 3 January 2022, the participating member associations in question are to be directed that these players may remain with their clubs to participate in these matches and be released after the last match during this period.”
As a result, Liverpool have Mo Salah and Sadio Mane among their ranks for their big clash with Chelsea on January 2.
Liverpool look set to be without Salah for two top-flight games, the FA Cup third round and EFL Cup semi-finals
@font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Regular.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Regular.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Regular.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Regular.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:400;font-display:swap;}@font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Medium.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Medium.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Medium.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Medium.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:500;font-display:swap;}@font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:400;font-stretch:semi-condensed;font-display:swap;}@font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Bold.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Bold.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Bold.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Bold.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:700;font-stretch:normal;font-display:swap;}@font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:700;font-stretch:condensed;font-display:swap;}.css-qu9fel{border-top:1px solid #dcdddd;}.css-b9nmbi{margin-bottom:16px;border-top:1px solid #dcdddd;}.css-1qsre5o{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;height:100%;-webkit-align-items:flex-start;-webkit-box-align:flex-start;-ms-flex-align:flex-start;align-items:flex-start;-webkit-align-content:flex-start;-ms-flex-line-pack:flex-start;align-content:flex-start;-webkit-box-flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-wrap:nowrap;-ms-flex-wrap:nowrap;flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-direction:column;-ms-flex-direction:column;flex-direction:column;-webkit-box-pack:justify;-webkit-justify-content:space-between;justify-content:space-between;}.css-q8gelu{margin-bottom:24px;}.css-7ysxcx{padding:0;text-transform:uppercase;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-7ysxcx:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-jkwlot{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;height:100%;-webkit-align-items:center;-webkit-box-align:center;-ms-flex-align:center;align-items:center;-webkit-flex-direction:row;-ms-flex-direction:row;flex-direction:row;-webkit-box-pack:justify;-webkit-justify-content:space-between;justify-content:space-between;padding:0;text-transform:uppercase;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-jkwlot:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-zkaekv{font-family:The Sun;font-size:24px;line-height:1.1666666666666667;font-weight:400;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:semi-condensed;padding:1px 0px;}.css-zkaekv::before{content:”;display:block;height:0;width:0;margin-bottom:calc(-0.24520833333333342em + -1px);}.css-zkaekv::after{content:”;display:block;height:0;width:0;margin-top:-0.2333333333333334em;}.css-1lobn43{display:inline;font:inherit;margin:0;color:rgba(0,0,0,1);}.css-1lobn43 svg{fill:rgba(0,0,0,1);}Most read in Football.css-1gojmfd{margin-bottom:16px;}.css-zdjvqv{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;height:100%;-webkit-align-items:flex-start;-webkit-box-align:flex-start;-ms-flex-align:flex-start;align-items:flex-start;-webkit-align-content:flex-start;-ms-flex-line-pack:flex-start;align-content:flex-start;-webkit-box-flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-wrap:nowrap;-ms-flex-wrap:nowrap;flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-direction:column;-ms-flex-direction:column;flex-direction:column;-webkit-box-pack:space-around;-ms-flex-pack:space-around;-webkit-justify-content:space-around;justify-content:space-around;margin-top:calc(-12px/2);margin-bottom:calc(-12px/2);}.css-zdjvqv:before,.css-zdjvqv:after{content:”;display:block;}.css-1meuhfk{display:-webkit-inline-box;display:-webkit-inline-flex;display:-ms-inline-flexbox;display:inline-flex;margin-top:calc(12px/2);margin-bottom:calc(12px/2);}
When will they return?
This of course depends on how well each individual nation does in the tournament.
But should a Prem players team go all the way to the final, they would return to their clubs ahead of Gameweek 24 on February 8.
Due to the FA Cup third round in the second weekend of January, Premier League players could potentially only miss TWO top-flight matches due to their AFCON participation.
But should a nation reach the final for example – on Feb 6 – it’s likely they will require rest after a month of tournament football before being thrown back into domestic competition.
Here’s how the Premier League schedule looks currently, although things could change due to the enormous amount of games postponed over Christmas due to Covid-19 outbreaks.

Gameweek 21 (PL players AVAILABLE) – January 1-3
FA Cup third round – January 7-10
Gameweek 22 – January 14-16
Gameweek 23 – January 21-23
Gameweek 24 (PL players RETURN in time for these games) – February 8-10
Gameweek 25 – February 12-13 More

THE Africa Cup of Nations 2021 is almost upon us after twice being delayed.Originally slated for June this year, the tournament was first moved to February before the Covid-19 pandemic forced yet another delay.
@font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Regular.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Regular.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Regular.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Regular.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:400;font-display:swap;}@font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Medium.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Medium.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Medium.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Medium.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:500;font-display:swap;}@font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:400;font-stretch:semi-condensed;font-display:swap;}@font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Bold.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Bold.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Bold.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Bold.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:700;font-stretch:normal;font-display:swap;}@font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:700;font-stretch:condensed;font-display:swap;}.css-qu9fel{border-top:1px solid #dcdddd;}.css-b9nmbi{margin-bottom:16px;border-top:1px solid #dcdddd;}.css-1qsre5o{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;height:100%;-webkit-align-items:flex-start;-webkit-box-align:flex-start;-ms-flex-align:flex-start;align-items:flex-start;-webkit-align-content:flex-start;-ms-flex-line-pack:flex-start;align-content:flex-start;-webkit-box-flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-wrap:nowrap;-ms-flex-wrap:nowrap;flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-direction:column;-ms-flex-direction:column;flex-direction:column;-webkit-box-pack:justify;-webkit-justify-content:space-between;justify-content:space-between;}.css-q8gelu{margin-bottom:24px;}.css-7ysxcx{padding:0;text-transform:uppercase;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-7ysxcx:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-jkwlot{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;height:100%;-webkit-align-items:center;-webkit-box-align:center;-ms-flex-align:center;align-items:center;-webkit-flex-direction:row;-ms-flex-direction:row;flex-direction:row;-webkit-box-pack:justify;-webkit-justify-content:space-between;justify-content:space-between;padding:0;text-transform:uppercase;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-jkwlot:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-zkaekv{font-family:The Sun;font-size:24px;line-height:1.1666666666666667;font-weight:400;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:semi-condensed;padding:1px 0px;}.css-zkaekv::before{content:”;display:block;height:0;width:0;margin-bottom:calc(-0.24520833333333342em + -1px);}.css-zkaekv::after{content:”;display:block;height:0;width:0;margin-top:-0.2333333333333334em;}.css-1lobn43{display:inline;font:inherit;margin:0;color:rgba(0,0,0,1);}.css-1lobn43 svg{fill:rgba(0,0,0,1);}LATEST IN SUN BINGO AND VEGAS.css-1gojmfd{margin-bottom:16px;}.css-zdjvqv{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;height:100%;-webkit-align-items:flex-start;-webkit-box-align:flex-start;-ms-flex-align:flex-start;align-items:flex-start;-webkit-align-content:flex-start;-ms-flex-line-pack:flex-start;align-content:flex-start;-webkit-box-flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-wrap:nowrap;-ms-flex-wrap:nowrap;flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-direction:column;-ms-flex-direction:column;flex-direction:column;-webkit-box-pack:space-around;-ms-flex-pack:space-around;-webkit-justify-content:space-around;justify-content:space-around;margin-top:calc(-12px/2);margin-bottom:calc(-12px/2);}.css-zdjvqv:before,.css-zdjvqv:after{content:”;display:block;}.css-1meuhfk{display:-webkit-inline-box;display:-webkit-inline-flex;display:-ms-inline-flexbox;display:inline-flex;margin-top:calc(12px/2);margin-bottom:calc(12px/2);}
Algeria are out to defend the AFCON title they won in 2019
Cameroon will host the showpiece which sees Algeria looking to defend the title they won two years ago.
And a host of Premier League stars will be playing, despite the competition taking place in the middle of the domestic season.
When do Premier League players leave for AFCON?
With AFCON taking place mid-season, a number of Premier League clubs are going to be affected by their players leaving.
The competition runs between Sunday, January 9 to Sunday, February 6.
This year there are 24 nations competing, with the group stage featuring six groups of four teams.
Following that will be the traditional knockouts, before the final itself on February 6 in Olembe.
The tournament has twice been rescheduled but is finally going ahead in Cameroon
With preparations to make before the big kick-off, it was expected that Prem players would have to meet up with their teammates around New Year.
But officials have decided that all players can stay with their parent clubs until January 3.
A statement read: “CAF has decided that for those players who have official club matches between the 27 December 2021 and 3 January 2022, the participating member associations in question are to be directed that these players may remain with their clubs to participate in these matches and be released after the last match during this period.”
As a result, Liverpool have Mo Salah and Sadio Mane among their ranks for their big clash with Chelsea on January 2.
Liverpool look set to be without Salah for two top-flight games, the FA Cup third round and EFL Cup semi-finals
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When will they return?
This of course depends on how well each individual nation does in the tournament.
But should a Prem players team go all the way to the final, they would return to their clubs ahead of Gameweek 24 on February 8.
Due to the FA Cup third round in the second weekend of January, Premier League players could potentially only miss TWO top-flight matches due to their AFCON participation.
But should a nation reach the final for example – on Feb 6 – it’s likely they will require rest after a month of tournament football before being thrown back into domestic competition.
Here’s how the Premier League schedule looks currently, although things could change due to the enormous amount of games postponed over Christmas due to Covid-19 outbreaks.

Gameweek 21 (PL players AVAILABLE) – January 1-3
FA Cup third round – January 7-10
Gameweek 22 – January 14-16
Gameweek 23 – January 21-23
Gameweek 24 (PL players RETURN in time for these games) – February 8-10
Gameweek 25 – February 12-13 More