Africa Cup of Nations

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

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

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

MO SALAH is preparing for Liverpool’s top-of-the-table showdown with Arsenal – but could miss TWO more clashes against the Gunners.The Reds forward, 31, will be desperate to fire Jurgen Klopp’s men above the Gunners and into first place when they meet at Anfield in the Premier League on Saturday.
Mo Salah could miss a host of key games for Liverpool due to AFCONCredit: Reuters
However, Liverpool’s 15-goal top scorer will soon switch his attention to representing Egypt in the Africa Cup of Nations.
The prospect of losing their top marksman for around four weeks every two years for the tournament is a problem Klopp has become accustomed to since signing Salah from Roma in 2017.
But that scenario does still not get any easier, and once more the Kop boss will have to adapt his tactics next month for his absence.
Afcon starts on January 13 in Ivory Coast with the final due to take place on February 11.
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Salah and his side, who will be hoping to avenge their heartbreaking defeat to Senegal in the last tournament, have been drawn in Group B alongside Ghana, Cape Verde and Mozambique.
He is not the only top-flight ace to be heading out for international duty, and that has led the Premier League to introduce a fortnight break in fixtures – although games will still be played each weekend in that period.
But even though some players will get a rest, Salah could potentially miss SEVEN games.
After helping Liverpool reach the Carabao Cup semi-final by beating West Ham 5-1, they now face Fulham in a two-legged tie which will take place on January 10 and 24.
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The Reds also have an FA Cup third round tie with Arsenal on January 7.
Liverpool return to Prem action away to Bournemouth on January 21, and they have a further three top-flight games until the weekend of the Afcon final.
And they include bumper clashes with both Chelsea and Arsenal again.
It remains uncertain the exact number of matches that Salah will miss, especially since it has yet to be confirmed when he will link up with the Egypt squad.
And it also depends on how well Egypt do – but should they go on and reach the final again then the marksman won’t be back in action domestically until they face Brentford in the Premier League on February 17.
MO SALAH’S POTENTIAL ABSENCEThese are the Liverpool games the star could miss due to AFCON:
Arsenal A – Jan 7 (FA CUP)
Fulham H – Jan 10 (EFL Cup)
Bournemouth A – Jan 21 (PL)
Fulham A – Jan 24 (EFL Cup)
Chelsea H – Jan 31 (PL)
Arsenal A – Feb 4 (PL)
Burnley H – Feb 10 (PL) More