Africa Cup of Nations

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      Best XI of Afcon 2023 stars including Salah, Mane and Mahrez with Man Utd star Andre Onana brutally snubbed

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      THE Africa Cup of Nations sees some of the biggest stars playing in Europe’s elite leagues leave their clubs for international duty.The tournament gets underway on Saturday as hosts Ivory Coast face Guinea-Bissau in the opener.
      Mo Salah has been an AFCON runner-up twiceCredit: Reuters
      Riyad Mahrez will captain AlgeriaCredit: Getty
      Superstars like Mohamed Salah and Victor Osimhen will all be dreaming of glory in the final on February 11.
      Morocco are the favourites to lift the tournament – with the bookies expecting Senegal, Algeria, Ivory Coast, Egypt and Nigeria to push them all the way.
      Ahead of the tournament kicking-off, SunSport have made a combined XI from all the players involved in this year’s Afcon.
      Morocco shocked the world when they made the semi-final of the World Cup a year ago.
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      Yassine Bounou, aka Bono, stunned in between the sticks as the Atlas Lions formed one of the toughest defences around.
      The Al-Hilal keeper is joined in the ultimate XI by PSG’s Achraf Hakimi and West Ham’s Nayef Aguerd.
      Defensively, the side is completed by Bundesliga duo Ramy Bensebaini and Edmond Tapsoba.
      The left-back plays for Borussia Dortmund and Algeria, while the centre-back represents Burkina Faso and top of the table Bayer Leverkusen.
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      These 11 players could take AFCON by storm
      Napoli and Cameroon star Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa and Tottenham and Senegal ace Pape Matar Sarr anchor the midfield.
      The attack is stacked with talent, coming via Liverpool’s Egyptian king Salah and Napoli’s Nigerian goalscorer Osimhen.
      Ex-Premier League, now Saudi-based stars Sadio Mane of Senegal and Riyad Mahrez of Algeria complete the incredible team.
      Manchester United goalkeeper Andre Onana is snubbed after making high-profile errors since joining the Red Devils.
      Meanwhile, West Ham attacker Mohammed Kudus and Chelsea striker Nicolas Jackson are unlucky not to make it.
      A host of Premier League stars will be in action over the next month More

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      Inside the Afcon 2023 stadium that’s bloody history saw it used for executions before amazing revival as beacon of hope

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      THE African Cup of Nations is set to begin in the country of Ivory Coast.The tournament will kick off for the 34th time on January 13 and will take place in six different stadiums.
      The Stade de la Paix is the third-largest stadium for AFCONCredit: AFP
      The six stadiums are spread out across five cities in the African nation and will host some of the best Premier League players.
      One stadium in particular has a bloody history connected to it.
      The Stade de la Paix is a multi-use ground in Bouake, the second largest city of the Ivory Coast.
      The stadium holds a maximum of 40,000 people and was recently renovated in 2020.
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      It was originally built and opened in 1984 for the year’s Afcon competition.
      It hosted seven games during the tournament including the 3rd place match, Ivory Coast however did not make it past the group stages.
      The stadium was unused for sporting events between October 2002 and March 2007.
      This was down to the occupation of the Forces nouvelles de Côte d’Ivoire (New Forces) in the First Ivorian Civil War.
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      Didier Drogba insisted that a match be played at the ground after the civil warCredit: AFP
      During the conflict, it has been alleged that the stadium was used as an execution site.
      Testimonies from residents in Bouake claim that police officers and military soldiers from the government’s forces were killed by the occupiers.
      The ground saw football return in July 2007 as Ivory Coast played Madagascar after peace was declared.
      The match took on great significance for national reconciliation and gathered great interest as part of the Ouagadougou Agreement signed by president Laurent Gbagbo and soro secretary-general Guillaume Kigbafori.
      The agreement brought peace to the country and merged the forces to create a united army.
      Ivory Coast won the match 5-0 thanks to goals from stars such as Saloman Kalou, Yaya Toure, Arouna Kone (brace) and Didier Drogba.
      The match was played at the Stade de la Paix after an intervention from Drogba who insisted that the game take place in Bouake.
      It will be the third-largest stadium in this year’s competition and the first match that will feature there is Algeria vs Angola before five more group games.
      The ground will also host a round-of-16 match, a quarter-final and one of the two semi-finals. More

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      Why is Thomas Partey not playing at AFCON 2023?

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      GHANA will be hoping to go all the way at the Africa Cup of Nations when it gets underway later this month. But they’ll have to do so without one of their star players Thomas Partey.
      Thomas Partey played for Ghana at the World Cup 2022Credit: Reuters
      Partey was influential for Arsenal in the Premier League last season as the Gunners ran Manchester City close in the title race.
      But this term the midfielder has barely played for Mikel Arteta’s side and Arsenal have struggled to maintain last season’s form.
      Partey also won’t be in action for Ghana at AFCON 2023 in the Ivory Coast.
      Why is Thomas Partey not at AFCON 2023?
      Partey has been out of action since October with a thigh injury but is back in training at Arsenal.
      AFCON 2023
      The former Atletico Madrid man is hoping to make his return to the pitch in the next few weeks.
      But AFCON 2023 comes too soon for Partey, according to Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta and Ghana manager Chris Hughton.
      Arteta said on January 5: “It was about common sense. He had a long-term injury.
      “He was trying to push his rehab because he really wanted to be with his national team, but he’s still far from training with the team and it didn’t make sense for him to be involved.
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      “Hopefully it is weeks. When and how many weeks is going to depend a little bit on how [long] the next step, training with the team, will take him. But he is progressing well.”
      Ex-Brighton boss Hughton added: “Thomas Partey for sure, and I say this not in a detrimental way to the squad that we have, but he is one of our most important players.
      “This we know and, withstanding his injury, he certainly would be in the squad.
      “We know the quality of player that he is. This is a player that has a substantial injury.
      “I’ve spent a lot over this period of time with Thomas and also engaging with the medical staff at Arsenal Football Club.
      “They will treat this injury with caution, and so will the player. This is a big injury for him and the biggest injury that he’s had.
      “The most important thing for me as head coach and our association is to give him the support that he needs through this period of time.
      “From all the information that we’ve been given, the timelines of his recovery and the caution that will be taken, will not meet our timelines for the AFCON.” More

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      Man Utd fans hail ‘crazy’ Andre Onana as goalkeeper agrees to play Tottenham before Afcon clash ONE DAY later

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      MANCHESTER UNITED supporters have hailed Andre Onana for agreeing to play Tottenham 24 hours before Cameroon’s first Afcon fixture.United negotiated Onana’s departure for the tournament with Cameroon following the club’s dismal start to the season.
      Andre Onana agrees to play Tottenham game ONE DAY before Cameroon’s first Afcon gameCredit: Alamy
      Though other Afcon stars have left their domestic clubs, United secured permission to keep Onana for their FA Cup third round tie at Wigan on January 8.
      United have also now reached an agreement to keep Onana for their crucial Premier League clash with Tottenham on January 14.
      This means Onana will leave Old Trafford immediately after facing Ange Postecoglou’s side, which kicks off at 4.30pm.
      He will then take a seven-hour flight to Cameroon’s camp before their match with Guinea starts at 5pm the following afternoon.
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      He will be available for the clash with Guinea.
      The club understood he would not be going to Afcon when they paid Inter Milan £47million for him in the summer.
      But Cameroon persuaded him to change his mind.
      Boss Erik ten Hag was adamant that Onana’s original promise that he would be available throughout his first English campaign should be honoured at least to some extent.
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      Throughout his absence, United are expected to use summer signing Altay Bayindir.
      The Turkish shot stopper is yet to make his debut since joining from Fenerbahce.
      But many United fans have praised Onana for his devotion to the club.
      One wrote: “That’s crazy though.”
      Another said: “It’s good to see how dedicated he is to the team.”
      A third wrote: “Fair play to him.”
      During the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, Onana left the squad camp before their tournament exit after falling out with manager Rigobert Song.
      But he was recalled for the September internationals after impressing during Inter Milan’s run to the Champions League final last season.
      If Cameroon do not manage to qualify from their group which also includes Senegal and Gambia my may not miss any club fixtures thanks to the deal that now been struck. More

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      Tottenham star Pape Matar Sarr breaks down in tears and consoled by team-mates with Afcon dream hanging by a thread

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      TOTTENHAM star Pape Sarr broke down in tears after suffering an injury against Bournemouth.The midfielder had opened the scoring before sustaining a leg injury in the first half.
      Pape Sarr broke down in tears as injury forced him off against TottenhamCredit: Getty
      The Senegal star could miss the Africa Cup of Nations because of the injuryCredit: Reuters
      He began to cry as he was brought off as the injury could end his Africa Cup of Nations dream before the tournament even gets underway.
      Sarr has won 18 caps for Senegal and was set to feature for the Lions in Cote d’Ivoire next month.
      But he could spend weeks out on the treatment table after appearing to pick up a muscle injury.
      Spurs captain Son Heung-min consoled Sarr with the midfielder burying his face in his own shirt and Son’s shoulder.
      Rodrigo Bentancur, who has been plagued by injury for much of 2023, helped Sarr off the pitch.
      The midfielder opened the scoring with a fine strike from outside the box, fizzing a low shot past Neto into the bottom corner.
      It is only his second goal for Tottenham since becoming a first-team regular under Ange Postecoglou this season.
      Afcon gets underway on January 13 so Sarr faces a race against time to be fit.
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      Fellow Tottenham midfielder Yves Bissouma is set to travel to the tournament, which lasts a month, where he will represent Mali.
      Son is also set to depart North London next month to play for South Korea at the Asian Games, with matches taking place from January 12 until February 10. More

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      Little-known rule means Andre Onana would have been banned from playing for Man Utd even if he snubbed Afcon call-up

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      ANDRE ONANA has agreed to go to the Africa Cup of Nations after fearing he would be accused of letting his country down.The Manchester United goalkeeper was called into Cameroon’s squad for the tournament which runs for just over a month from January 13.
      Andre Onana is set to head to Afcon next monthCredit: Reuters
      Onana had been torn about going because he could miss six Red Devils games at a time when his indifferent form was leading to questions about his long-term future.
      But Fifa rules meant he had to go if the call came or be banned from playing for United for the duration of the tournament. That call came yesterday.
      United chiefs have been in negotiations with the Cameroon FA for months in the hope they would opt to NOT call him up.
      But following discussions with family and friends, Onana realised he simply could not turn  his back on Cameroon.
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      Onana retired from international football after being kicked out of their World Cup camp in 2022 following a bust-up with coach Rigobert Song.
      He reversed that decision in September and returned for the win over Burundi which saw his side into the Afcon finals.
      Onana, 27, is concerned that a prolonged absence from United’s first team could cost him his place long term if No 2 Altay Bayindir performs well.
      His spot has already come under question after a number of high-profile blunders in conceding 43 goals in 27 appearances.
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      On-loan  Sofyan Amrabat will also be missing from the United squad during the tournament having been called up by Morocco.
      However, United boss Erik ten Hag has been boosted by a number of players coming back from injury.
      Influential Lisandro Martinez is putting a metatarsal problem behind him.
      The centre-back said: “My rehab is going amazingly. I am feeling strong.”
      Mason Mount is due to return to full training after a calf problem, while Casemiro (hamstring) is also close.
      Defenders Harry Maguire  and Victor Lindelof should be available next month.
      Sofyan Amrabat is also set to head to AfconCredit: Alamy More

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      Man Utd star ‘NOT going to AFCON’ in order to seal January transfer move despite talks over new deal being ‘underway’

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      MANCHESTER UNITED star Hannibal Mejbri is NOT heading to the Africa Cup of Nations in January, according to reports.That is because the Tunisian midfielder, 20, will use the start of 2024 to search for a loan move away from Old Trafford.
      Hannibal Mejbri is looking to seal a loan move away from Old Trafford in JanuaryCredit: Getty
      Hannibal has already been capped 27 times for his country since making his debut in 2021.
      But he was not included in Tunisia’s squad for their World Cup qualifiers in November.
      And according to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, he will miss the Africa Cup of Nations – which gets underway in Ivory Coast on January 13.
      Hannibal has made 10 appearances for Man Utd so far this season – four of which have been starts.
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      His first goal for the Red Devils’ senior side came in September in a 3-1 defeat to Brighton.
      Now he is set to search for more game time amid interest from three European clubs – while talks over a new deal with Man Utd get underway.
      The trio of sides monitoring Hannibal are Sevilla, Lyon and Freiburg.
      The midfielder, whose Man Utd deal runs until the end of the season with the option of an additional year, spent the 2022/23 campaign on loan at Championship side Birmingham.
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      He played 41 games for the Blues, scoring one goal and providing six assists.
      After returning to Old Trafford in the summer, he did not feature until he came off the bench to score against Brighton.
      That cameo earned him back-to-back starts against Burnley in the Premier League and Crystal Palace in the Carabao Cup.
      But he has played just 15 minutes of league football since September. More

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      Andre Onana gets AFCON call as fans claim ‘season starts now’ and ‘advantage Man Utd’ with star set to miss crunch games

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      ANDRE ONANA has been called up to the Cameroon squad for the Africa Cup of Nations.The tournament begins on January 13 and the final is on February 11.
      Andre Onana is set to miss a crucial period for Man UtdCredit: Getty
      Onana is set to miss at least one match against Tottenham and potentially as many as six, depending on when he leaves for the tournament and how far Cameroon progress.
      Erik ten Hag will put his trust in summer signing Altay Bayindir while his No1 is away.
      The Turkey international signed from Fenerbahce for £4.3million and he is yet to play for Man Utd.
      Veteran Tom Heaton is an alternative option – but he has also never featured for the club since joining in 2021.
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      Onana has had a tough start to life at Old Trafford and has made several mistakes leading to goals.
      Fans have mixed views on the ex-Ajax and Inter Milan keeper being unavailable.
      One said: “Advantage Manchester United.”
      Another added: “The season starts now.”
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      A third joked: “United might break into the top four now.”
      Others commented: “It’s time for Altay Bayindir to cook.”
      Until a few weeks ago, Ten Hag was unsure whether he would lose Onana to AFCON.
      The 27-year-old retired from international duty following the 2022 World Cup after being sent home early due to a dispute with manager Rigobert Song.
      Which games could Onana miss?
      January 8: Wigan (A) FA Cup
      January 14: Tottenham (H)
      January 27: Potential FA Cup tie
      February 1: Wolves (A)
      February 4: West Ham (H)
      February 11: Aston Villa (A)

      His decision was then reversed in August this year and he was back in the national team fold.
      Cameroon’s first game is against Guinea on January 15.
      They then face Senegal four days later and Gambia on January 23 in the group stage. More