Africa Cup of Nations

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      Which Premier League players are playing at AFCON 2023?

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      THE Africa Cup of Nations is just around the corner – and some familiar faces are expected to feature.Several Premier League sides are set to lose key players with the iconic tournament running during the season.
      Mohamed Salah and Egypt lost to Senegal in the 2022 AFCON final on penaltiesCredit: REUTERS
      Most notably, Mohamed Salah will miss crucial games in Liverpool’s title challenge as the winger will likely captain Egypt at Afcon 2023.
      The 31-year-old will be determined to end his country’s 14-year wait for continental success.
      But which other Premier League stars are set to play at Afcon 2023?
      Which Premier League players are set to feature at AFCON 2023?
      SunSport takes a look at how every Premier League club could be affected by the players expected to feature at Afcon 2023:
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      Arsenal
      Thomas Partey – Ghana
      Mohamed Elneny – Egypt
      Aston Villa
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      Bertrand Traore – Burkina Faso
      Bournemouth
      Hamed Traore – Ivory Coast
      Dango Ouatarra – Burkina Faso
      Antoine Semenyo – Ghana
      Brentford
      Frank Onyeka – Nigeria
      Bryan Mbuemo – Cameroon 
      Yoane Wissa – DR Congo
      Brighton
      Tariq Lamptey – Ghana 
      Carlos Baleba – Cameroon 
      Simon Adingra – Ivory Coast 
      Samy Chouchane – Tunisia
      Burnley
      Anass Zaroury – Morocco
      Lyle Foster – South Africa
      Chelsea
      Nicolas Jackson – Senegal
      Crystal Palace
      Jordan Ayew – Ghana
      Cheick Doucoure – Mali
      Everton
      Idrissa Gueye – Senegal
      Fulham
      Calvin Bassey – Nigeria 
      Alex Iwobi – Nigeria 
      Fode Ballo-Toure – Senegal
      Liverpool
      Mohamed Salah – Egypt
      Luton Town
      Issa Kabore – Burkina Faso 
      Pelly Ruddock Mpanzu – DR Congo 
      Manchester City
      N/A
      Manchester United
      Andre Onana – Cameroon
      Sofyan Amrabat – Morocco 
      Hannibal Mejbri – Tunisia 
      Amad Diallo – Ivory Coast
      Newcastle United
      N/A
      Nottingham Forest
      Serge Aurier – Ivory Coast
      Willy Boly – Ivory Coast
      Ibrahim Sangare – Ivory Coast 
      Moussa Niakhate – Senegal
      Cheikhou Kouyate – Senegal
      Taiwo Awoniyi – Nigeria
      Ola Aina –  Nigeria 
      Sheffield United
      Ismaila Coulibaly – Mali
      Anis Ben Slimane – Tunisia 
      Tottenham
      Pape Matar Sarr – Senegal
      Yves Bissouma – Mali
      West Ham United
      Mohamed Kudus – Ghana 
      Maxwel Cornet – Ivory Coast
      Nayef Aguerd – Morocco
      Said Benrahma – Algeria
      Wolverhampton Wanderers
      Rayan Ait-Nouri – Algeria
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      Boubacar Traore – Mali 
      When is the African Cup of Nations

      The 34th African Cup of Nations will get underway on Saturday, January 13th 2024.
      The final of the tournament will be on Sunday, February 11th 2024.
      The hosts are Ivory Coast. More

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      Mo Salah in line to miss TWO Liverpool clashes with Arsenal in huge boost to Gunners

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      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

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      Our dad won the Champions League and dominated Africa Cup of Nations – now we’re both Premier League cult heroes

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      EVERY Premier League fan will have likely heard of the name Ayew.Brothers Jordan and Andre have been playing in England for years.
      Abedi Ayew is regarded as one of the best African players of all timeCredit: AP:Associated Press
      But their dad was a legend in his own right.
      Abedi Ayew made 73 appearances for the Ghana national team during his career, also captaining the side.
      He led the Black Stars to the Africa Cup of Nations title in 1982 and is considered one of the best players in the country’s history.
      Abedi has won the African Footballer of the Year award three times, Ghana Footballer of the Year once and was named in the top 10 of the FIFA Best World Rankings in 1991.
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      He also won the Champions League with Marseille in 1993.
      Now, his sons are all established on the international scene.
      Andre has made 114 appearances for the national team, while Jordan has made 90.
      Their brother, Ibrahim, has also played for the Black Stars.
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      Andre Ayew left Nottingham Forest in MayCredit: Getty
      Jordan Ayew currently plays for Crystal PalaceCredit: Getty
      The 35-year-old, who plays for Gibraltar Football League club Lincoln Red Imps, has made just six international appearances.
      Andre currently plays for Ligue 1 side Le Havre having moved from Nottingham Forest at the end of the 2022-23 campaign.
      He previously played for Swansea and West Ham and has made 102 Premier League appearances.
      Meanwhile, Jordan is still starring in England’s top tier.
      The 32-year-old joined Crystal Palace in 2018 and has since made 191 appearances.
      He has made 17 appearances so far this season, scoring once and providing four assists.
      The striker previously played for Aston Villa and Swansea in the Premier League.
      Ibrahim Ayew (L) made six appearances for GhanaCredit: Reuters More

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      Andre Onana could be BANNED from playing for Man Utd by little-known Fifa rule as keeper considers Afcon snub

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      ANDRE ONANA could be banned from playing for Manchester United because of a little-known Fifa rule.The United No1 is expected to travel to the Africa Cup of Nations with Cameroon in January.
      Andre Onana could be banned from playing for Manchester United if he refuses to go to AfconCredit: Getty
      He retired from international duty after quitting the team during the World Cup last year, but has since returned to the squad after repairing his relationship with manager Rigobert Song.
      However Onana could decide to sit out of Afcon in a bid to focus on United, as his form has suffered since joining the club.
      He made a blunder against Galatasaray which allowed the Turkish side to mount a comeback in the 3-3 draw.
      But if Cameroon demand he plays and Onana refuses, the goalkeeper could be prohibited from playing for the Red Devils by Fifa.
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      The official Fifa line reads: “A player who has been called up by his association for one of its representative teams is, unless otherwise agreed by the relevant association, not entitled to play for the club with which he is registered during the period for which he has been released or should have been released pursuant to the provisions of this annex, plus an additional period of five days.”
      Liverpool defender Joel Matip avoided a ban after failing to represent Cameroon at Afcon in 2017 and 2020 – though he has not played for his country since 2015.
      Onana could miss six United games with Afcon running from January 13 to February 11.
      The shot-stopper has struggled since his summer move and Premier League legend Ruud Gullit believes Erik ten Hag will have to start asking questions of his keeper.
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      He said: “He knows these are horrible mistakes, he knows that. He’s going to talk in private with his goalkeeper and ask what the hell are you doing, what is going on?
      “Maybe he has to make a decision, you never know. The problem is you want to give your goalkeeper, as much as you can, confidence.
      “Not immediately after a mistake get out. With goalkeepers it is hard. He was in a difficult situation.
      “He saved them once but I feel for him I know he’s a good goalkeeper but he cost them a lot of games.” More

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      How Man Utd could line up after January transfer window with four players at AFCON and two huge stars sold

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      MANCHESTER UNITED’S line-up could look very different after the January transfer window.The Red Devils are set to lose four players to international duty during the Africa Cup of Nations.
      Erik ten Hag could be forced to name a fresh side after the January transfer windowCredit: Rex
      Manchester United have been linked with a move for Jean-Clair TodiboCredit: Getty
      Meanwhile, a New Year clear-out could also see both Casemiro and Raphael Varane leave the club.
      As a result, Erik ten Hag may be forced into naming a new look side come the start of February.
      A quartet of United stars are set to be called up for AFCON, which is being held in the Ivory Coast between January 13 and February 11.
      Sofyan Amrabat and Hannibal Mejbri are expected to appear for Morocco and Tunisia, respectively.
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      Andre Onana will also be involved for Cameroon after returning to the international fold in recent weeks.
      Aaron Wan-Bissaka’s potential inclusion in DR Congo’s squad may cause the most headaches, though.
      The full-back has reportedly been approached to switch his international allegiance from England after previously representing the Leopards at under-17 level in 2015.
      His absence during the tournament would leave Diogo Dalot as United’s only senior right-back.
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      Andre Onana is one of four United players who could be called up for AFCONCredit: AP
      Aaron Wan-Bissaka has been approached by DR Congo ahead of the tournamentCredit: Getty
      As for potential departures, Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s imminent arrival to lead football operations could prompt a clear-out of the squad.
      Both Casemiro and Varane have been highlighted as players the club may look to move on when the window re-opens.
      Ten Hag is even understood to have gone as far as identifying Jean-Clair Todibo as a replacement for his fellow Frenchman.
      The defender currently plays for Nice, who are owned by Ratcliffe’s Ineos group, and has been strongly linked with a move to Old Trafford.

      Both Raphael Varane and Casemiro are expected to leave United sooner rather than laterCredit: PA
      He would likely partner Lisandro Martinez in the centre of defence, with the World Cup winner set to return from a foot injury in the new year.
      Further forward, Casemiro’s exit, paired with the absences of Amrabat and Mejbri, could cause issues in midfield.
      Ten Hag would likely call upon Christian Eriksen and Scott McTominay in front of the defence during AFCON.
      United’s front four of Alejandro Garnacho, Bruno Fernandes, Marcus Rashford and Rasmus Hojlund is set to remain intact.
      Fellow attackers Jadon Sancho, Anthony Martial and Antony are said to be facing the exit too as part of Sir Jim’s cull. More

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      Andre Onana hands Man Utd huge blow as he comes out of international retirement to accept Cameroon’s Afcon call-up

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      ANDRE ONANA has come out of international retirement to play for Cameroon.The Manchester United star is set to return to national team action for the first time since last year’s World Cup.
      Andre Onana was in action for Man United yesterdayCredit: Reuters
      The 27-year-old has not played for his country since last year’s World CupCredit: Getty
      Onana, 27, started Cameroon’s opening match in Qatar before being dropped by boss Rigobert Song.
      The goalkeeper is understood to have clashed with Song over tactics, and later left Cameroon’s Qatar camp.
      He has missed his country’s last seven matches, but was surprisingly named in Song’s latest squad last month.
      It was initially unclear if Onana would accept a call-up.
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      But he has now confirmed that he WILL play for his country once again.
      The Indomitable Lions face Burundi in an Afcon qualifier on September 12.
      Should they qualify, Onana could miss four Premier League matches between January and February.
      The tournament is set to kick-off in the Ivory Coast on January 13, with the final taking place on February 11.
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      In this time, United are scheduled to face Tottenham, Wolves, West Ham and Aston Villa in the Premier League.
      Onana debuted for his country in 2016 and has earned 34 caps.
      The Red Devils signed goalkeeper Altay Bayindir in a £4.3million deal from Fenerbahce on deadline day.
      Bayindir, 25, penned a four-year deal at United and was on the bench for their 3-1 defeat at Arsenal yesterday.
      Man United signed Altay Bayindir on FridayCredit: Getty More

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      I played with Ronaldo and bought a club that was named after me in my homeland for £19,500 – I even signed myself

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      MOHAMED KALLON spent the 2001-02 season outscoring team-mate Ronaldo for Inter Milan. That summer, one of them scored both goals in the World Cup final.
      Mohamed Kallon starred for Inter Milan from 2001 to 2004Credit: Reuters
      He teamed up with legendary forward Ronaldo at the San SiroCredit: twitter @bashoverrated
      Still only 43, the footballer made his international debut way back in 1995Credit: Instagram
      The other bought a football club named after him in his homeland.
      A 22-year-old Kallon paid a cut-price £19,500 to purchase FC Kallon – a team in Sierra Leone rebranded from Sierra Fisheries to its new name in 2000.
      The striker had made a name for himself and was a national icon, scoring the winner on his senior Sierra Leone international debut in a crucial Africa Cup of Nations qualifier aged just 15.
      And he had already represented ten club sides by 2001 spanning five countries.
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      But a change in non-EU player quota laws during the 2000-01 season enabled Kallon to return to the San Siro with Inter.
      The star-studded squad also had the luxury of picking from Christian Vieri, Ronaldo, Alvaro Recoba, Adriano, Hakan Sukur and Nicola Ventola up front – with Javier Zanetti, Clarence Seedorf and Laurent Blanc further back.
      However, injuries to Ronaldo and Recoba saw Kallon make 39 appearances across all competitions.
      And the star, who bizarrely wore the No3 shirt traditionally reserved for the left-back, notched up 15 goals – second only behind Vieri and more than double Ronaldo’s tally of seven.
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      Inter finished the Serie A season in third, just two points behind champions Juventus, and reached the Uefa Cup semis.
      But it was his decision to buy FC Kallon that raised eyebrows – especially when he announced he had sacked three officials “because they are incompetent” a month BEFORE taking over.
      On the pitch, Kallon the player struggled for form and fitness in 2002-03 despite Ronaldo’s exit to Real Madrid. Then the forward was banned alongside Colonel Gaddafi’s son Al-Saadi for a positive steroids drug test.
      He left Inter with 19 goals in 61 appearances and three years at Monaco followed before the Sierra Leone captain decided to sign himself for his very own FC Kallon in 2009.
      Kallon said at the time: “My homecoming is a temporary one and it’s just for three months but it’ll be fruitful for the Sierra Leone premier league.
      “I know my presence in the league will see many Sierra Leoneans get attracted to the Sierra Leone league and this will help the local game grow.
      “I’ll also use the league to keep myself fit for the next European transfer window in January.
      “Surely I have many offers on the table but I just need to be fully fit to accept one of them.”
      CARRYING KALL-ON
      It was meant to be a short-term solution but brief spells in China and India followed before Kallon returned to Kallon where he finished his career in 2014 amid a backdrop of a bitter feud with his nation’s FA.
      FC Kallon won their fourth Sierra Leone National Premier League title in 2006 – their first under Kallon’s ownership and name.
      They have also lifted the country’s FA Cup and reached the CAF Champions League and CAF Confederations Cup during his tenure.
      The league was put on hold from 2014 to 2018 due to the Ebola epidemic but is now back underway.
      Kallon, now 43, remains heavily involved as the owner and there are suggestions he has even taken over as manager of the side who play at the 45,000-seater National Stadium.
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      And unlike his former striker partner Ronaldo, Kallon is showing no signs of wanting to sell up.
      Ronaldo bought Real Valladolid in 2018 but two relegations in three seasons have led to frustrations from fans.
      Ronaldo inspired Brazil to World Cup glory in 2002Credit: AFP
      Kallon scored 19 goals in 61 appearances for InterCredit: AFP
      Kallon bought FC Kallon for £19,500 in 2002 and remains the ownerCredit: Instagram More

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      Incredible moment three ball boys are SENT OFF for hilarious s***house move in AFCON qualifying decider

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      THREE ball boys were SENT OFF by the referee during Tanzania’s Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Niger.Hosts Tanzania took the lead midway through the second half through Simon Msuva.
      Ball boys threw extra balls onto the pitch as Niger searched for an equaliserCredit: Canal+ Sport
      Referee Mohamed Al Sayd ended up sending three of the ball boys offCredit: https://twitter.com/EricNjiiru
      But the 29-year-old’s winning goal was not the major talking point.
      That’s because Egyptian official Mohamed Al Sayd was forced to deal with three ball boys in stoppage time.
      Tanzania were keen to run down the clock as Niger searched for a dramatic late equaliser.
      But the visitors were forced to deal with more than just the hosts’ players.
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      Just before Niger earned themselves a corner in the dying embers, ball boys attempted to delay proceedings by throwing extra balls onto the pitch.
      The Niger bench were wise to the tactic as they reacted furiously.
      And Al Sayd was forced to deal with the issue as he ran over to the touchline and ushered them away.
      Tanzania held on to secure a 1-0 win in the Africa Cup of Nations qualifier, before the clip involving the ball boys went viral on social media.
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      And the tactic left football fans divided.
      One said: “Haha great tactic!!”
      While another agreed, adding: “They were taught to protect the result by any means.”
      But others feel the practice should be punished, with one person saying: “Please tell me CAF [Confederation of African Football] is going to look into this…”
      And a second replied: “Might be a tactic… but this should be punished by CAF. Seems it was coordinated by the bench. They threw fair play out of the window.”
      Tanzania now need just a point away in Algeria in the last round of qualification games to secure second spot in their group ahead of Uganda. More