Africa Cup of Nations

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      When do Premier League players leave for AFCON 2021, and when will they return?

      by

      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.
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      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

    • 163 Shares199 Views

      in Soccer

      When do Premier League players leave for AFCON, and when will they return?

      by

      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.
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      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

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      Arsenal, Watford and Palace face being hit hardest by Afcon 2021 with Arteta losing up to four stars in January

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      ARSENAL could be without four players in January as the Africa Cup of Nations threatens to significantly impact several Premier League clubs.The Gunners have a number of stars who look set to feature in the international tournament, which takes place between January 9 and February 6.
      All the Premier League players that could play in the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations
      Partey and Aubameyang are two Arsenal players who would be sorely missedCredit: Getty
      It is still being called the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations despite taking place in 2022 due to the coronavirus pandemic pushing it back 12 months.
      Gunners club captain and Gabon skipper Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang will be the main miss for Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta heading into the new year.
      But the Spanish coach is also expected to be without Ivory Coast man Nicolas Pepe, Ghanaian midfielder Thomas Partey and Egypt international Mohamed Elneny.
      However, Arsenal are not set to be the most affected Premier League club when it comes to players leaving to play for their national teams in January.
      That is because Watford have five players that could be called up to play in AFCON 2021.
      William Troost-Ekong, Ismaila Sarr, Imran Louza, Adam Masina, Emmanuel Dennis may all be missing for up to a month as new boss Claudio Ranieri bids to secure them Prem safety.

      Crystal Palace quartet Wilfried Zaha, Jeffrey Schlupp, Jordan Ayew, Cheikhou Kouyate are also set to feature in the tournament – a body blow to their manager Patrick Vieira.
      Then there are the teams who are preparing to lose some of their best players to the international competition.
      They include Liverpool, who will lose Mo Salah and Sadio Mane, and Leicester, who will be without Wilfred Ndidi and Kelechi Iheanacho.
      But there are several Premier League teams who will not be affected at all.
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      Leeds, Newcastle, Norwich and Tottenham do not have any players in their squads who are eligible to play in the tournament.
      AFCON 2021 will take place in Cameroon, with some national teams hoping to get their teams together before the end of the year.
      That would mean significant disruptions to Prem clubs as they attempt to navigate the busy Christmas period. More

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      Ivory Coast’s clash against Ethiopia called OFF with ten-minutes to play after referee collapses and is stretchered off

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      IVORY COAST’S Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Ethiopia ended in bizarre circumstances after the referee collapsed with just ten minutes to play.Official Charles Bulu left the field on a stretcher in the closing stages of Tuesday’s clash after he fell to the ground, with medics rushing to his aid.
      Referee Charles Bulu collapsed to the floor during Ivory Coast’s clash against EthiopiaCredit: AFP
      Bulu was seen walking on unsteady legs with both sets of players concerned about his welfareCredit: beIN Sports
      The incident happened just after Ivory Coast went 3-1 up through Jean Kouassi’s strike.
      A clip posted on social media showed Bulu walking on unsteady legs, with both sets of players ushering him towards the medical staff.
      But Bulu failed to make it to the sidelines as he collapsed on to the floor, with the 34-year-old understood to have been swiftly taken to a local hospital for tests.
      The Ghanaian was only taking charge of the match as the referee who had been scheduled to officiate the match tested positive for coronavirus.
      Fourth official Koussi Biro was then expected to ref the final ten minutes, but he was ineligible as he is Ivorian.
      After lengthy discussions, Kenyan linesman Gilbert Cheruiyot blew the final whistle in the 90th minute.
      A statement from the Ethiopia Football Federation declared that there will be a decision on the outcome of the match shortly.
      They said: “The game has been cancelled. The referee has been taken to hospital because he fell sick and fell on the field. CAF decision is expected.”
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      Bulu fell to the ground with just ten minutes remaining in the Africa Cup of Nations qualifierCredit: AFP

      Bulu was taken to a nearby hospital for tests after he collapsed during the matchCredit: beIN Sports
      The fixture had no significance as both nations has already qualified for next year’s tournament.
      Football fans were understandably worried about the health of Buku, as one tweeted: “Speedy recovery to Charles Bulu. I think he needs our prayers guys.”
      Another messaged: “My heart goes out to Ghanaian referee, Charles Bulu who I understand collapsed in the 80th minute during the Ivory Coast vs Ethiopia tie. Speedy recovery, Charles!”
      A third simply stated: “Get well soon, referee Charles Bulu.”
      England vs Poland free live stream, TV channel and kick-off time for World Cup qualifier More

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      Arsenal captain Aubameyang gets dramatic new braided hair style inspired by rapper Travis Scott while on Gabon duty

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      PIERRE-EMERICK AUBAMEYANG has shocked fans by getting a new hair style on international duty.The Arsenal forward was sporting the fresh look on social media after Gabon qualified for the 2022 Africa Cup of Nations.
      Aubameyang, 31, poses with his half-brother WillyCredit: Instagram @willy.aubameyang
      The Arsenal star’s previous trimCredit: Kevin Quigley-The Daily Mail
      The 31-year-old shared an Instagram story by Willy Aubameyang, his half-brother and former international colleague, featuring his new braids.
      The 34-year-old tagged recording artists Travis Scott and Sean Paul in the post, a hint they were the inspiration behind the fresh trim.
      His older sibling was also sporting the braids, jokingly captioning the post: “New song coming soon.”
      While Aubameyang turning his hand at singing seems unlikely, he wouldn’t be the first footy star to give it a go.
      Earlier this month, fellow forward Zlatan Ibrahimovic performed a duet with Bologna manager Sinisa Mihajlovic at a music festival.
      While there are doubts about Aubameyang’s music career, he is flourishing on the pitch – scoring and assisting in Gabon’s 3-0 win against DR Congo.
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      Couldn’t care less about Aubameyang’s hair.Performances have to improve of course, but what does one thing have to do with another?Someone even said he should lose the captaincy😭😂Class hairstyle btw.— Jerome (@Klarence_o) March 26, 2021

      Gabon’s qualification isn’t great news for Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta, who is set to be without his captain for up to a MONTH when he participates in the Africa Cup of Nations.
      The tournament is set to be held between January 9 and February 6 next year.
      Arteta’s relationship with Aubameyang hasn’t been great recently, dropping the forward for the north London derby against Tottenham.
      The two are believed to have settled their differences, though, with Arteta wanting to ‘move forward’ and finish the season strongly.
      Mikel Arteta hails ‘positive’ Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang talks as Arsenal skipper is all smiles after Tottenham axe More

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      Man Utd could lose Aaron Wan-Bissaka for whole of next January if he picks DR Congo call-up due to AFCON

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      MANCHESTER UNITED could be without Aaron Wan-Bissaka for the whole of next January if he chooses to represent DR Congo at international level.
      The right-back, 23, played one Under-20 match for the African country in 2015 before switching allegiance to England’s youth sides.

      Aaron Wan-Bissaka could be unavailable for Manchester United next January if he is at the African Cup of Nations with DR CongoCredit: Reuters

      But with still no senior caps under Gareth Southgate, Wan-Bissaka may opt to play for DR Congo instead.
      Christian Nsengi-Biembe’s team know qualification to next year’s African Cup of Nations is in their hands.
      They are currently third in Group D behind Gambia and Gabon but victories over the top two will secure their spot at January’s rearranged tournament in Cameroon.
      The central African nation have won the continental competition twice – in 1968 and 1974 – while their only World Cup appearance also came in 1974.

      Wan-Bissaka would likely link up with West Ham’s Arthur Masuaku as well as Middlesbrough pair Neeskens Kebano and Yannick Bolasie in the DR Congo squad.
      That would leave a shortage at right-back at Old Trafford, unless Diogo Dalot returns from his AC Milan loan, a youngster is promoted or another defender moves across to fill in.
      United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is also set to be without Eric Bailly and Amad Diallo in early 2022 if they both link up with Ivory Coast.
      England’s latest squad for their games against San Marino, Albania and Poland will be announced on March 18.

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      And should Wan-Bissaka be overlooked once more, The Athletic reckon he will snub the Three Lions for good.
      He was picked by Southgate for England’s Euro 2020 qualifiers against Kosovo and Bulgaria in August, but pulled out of the squad due to a back injury.
      And the £50million ex-Crystal Palace man was not replaced due to the wealth of quality at right-back at Southgate’s disposal.
      Kieran Trippier, Kyle Walker and Trent Alexander-Arnold went to the last World Cup while Reece James, Tariq Lamptey, Kyle Walker-Peters and, before his injury, James Justin were in contention.
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds

      Luke Shaw left baffled by Bruno Fernandes and brutally told Man Utd pal ‘you weren’t good today but scored two goals’ More

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      Watch Samuel Eto’o’s son Etienne, 18, score wonder free-kick on Cameroon U20 debut before breaking down in tears

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      ETIENNE ETO’O proved that class runs in the family with an immaculate free-kick for Cameroon Under-20s.
      As the son of Barcelona legend Samuel Eto’o, the 18-year-old has a lot to live up to but is already showing his skill.

      Etienne Eto’o hit a free-kick from 25 yards with the score goalless

      The player’s first goal for his country was met with an emotional response

      On the weekend, Etienne made his debut for his country’s youth team and had an instant impact.
      After only seven minutes of the game against Mozambique U20s, he struck a fantastic free-kick that beat the goalkeeper from 25 yards.
      In celebration, the young Eto’o broke down in tears while being mobbed by team-mates.
      At the end of the first-half, he swept home a penalty to double his tally in the eventual 4-1 win.

      Having sat on the bench for Cameroon’s opening two games of the Africa U20 Cup of Nations, the teenager got his chance in the final group match as the team made it three wins from three.
      Eto’o was born in Palma in 2002, during his dad’s four-year stint at Spanish club Mallorca, and is signed to Real Oviedo.
      Samuel, 39, left the Balearic Islanders for Barcelona in 2004 and won three LaLiga titles and a pair of Champions Leagues with the Camp Nou giants while racking up 118 Cameroon caps.
      Another Champions League arrived at Inter Milan and he enjoyed stints at Chelsea and Everton before retiring in 2019 with Qatar SC.

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      I want to try and be better than my dad and I am always looking forward to stepping on the pitch and giving my best.
      Etienne Eto’o

      Etienne’s free-kick stunner was likened to a similarly fantastic set-piece goal from his dad for the Lions back in 2006.
      The Eto’os are certainly an extensive footballing family with Samuel’s brothers David and Etienne also playing professionally.
      And the young forward spoke of it being ‘natural’ for him to want to follow in their footsteps – and he is aiming to BEAT his dad’s prestigious record.
      He told the Caf website: “I think sometimes it is natural that your father influences what you want to be in future.
      “My father has played a huge role in my life and influenced me to take football as a career.
      “For me, it doesn’t feel strange and it is nothing special really. I just have to enjoy who my dad is but also keep working hard for myself.

      “There is always pressure in life whether or not you are the son of a famous person. But for me, I just try to enjoy my career and demonstrate to people that I can do it.
      “My dad has played a huge influence in my life because I have always admired him and want to learn from him and continue in his steps. Always I want to be someone like him.
      “I want to try and be better than him and I am always looking forward to stepping on the pitch and giving my best.
      “Even though I know it is difficult to be better than my father, I want to work hard to achieve like him. He is always there to support me and give me advice.”
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds

      Etienne Eto’o wants to be BETTER than his dad, Samuel

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