AFCON 2025: Antoine Semenyo, Yoane Wissa, Andre Zambo Anguissa – the impressive XI of absent players

A couple of days from AFCON 2025’s kick-off in Morocco, the event should make do with out a number of African soccer stars. Between accidents, non-qualifications, managers’ sturdy decisions or early worldwide retirements, here’s a real XI of absent gamers, an emblem each of African soccer’s depth… and the calendar’s cruelty.

Between institutional tensions and an assumed sidelining, the Trabzonspor goalkeeper is paying the value for his open battle with Samuel Eto’o. An off-field saga that deprives AFCON of one in every of its most high-profile keepers.

First alternative at right-back, Aina is getting back from a severe hamstring harm that required surgical procedure. His absence is a serious blow for Nigeria, as he introduced steadiness and consistency.

Injured since late November with Galatasaray, Singo will miss AFCON when he was a pillar of the Ivorian proper flank. His versatility, between wing-back and centre-back, would have been invaluable in defending the title.

Tremendous Eagles captain and pre-selected for AFCON, Troost-Ekong introduced his worldwide retirement after being relegated to a secondary function. He leaves the African stage with a historic file: 5 objectives scored at AFCON, a complete by no means reached by a defender.

Souffian El Karouani (Morocco)

With 14 assists this season for Utrecht, the left-back is paying the value for fierce competitors amongst the Atlas Lions, heightened by Anass Salah-Eddine’s arrival. An absence that Souffian El Karouani publicly struggled to swallow.

Ghana’s non-qualification deprives AFCON of a world-class midfielder. A Black Stars stalwart, Partey won’t play what may have been his fourth AFCON, leaving a void each technical and symbolic.

Injured within the thigh simply earlier than a vital 2026 World Cup qualifier towards DR Congo, the Napoli midfielder is unavailable for a number of months. His absence will weigh closely. And even with out harm, the tense context across the Cameroon facet may have jeopardised his place.

A starter at membership stage and in kind with Villarreal, Nicolas Pepe will however pay for his absence at AFCON 2025. The Ivorian winger, usually used throughout qualifying, was dropped by Emerse Fae in a tense off-field context, following his controversial video about Morocco. A call skilled as “double punishment” by the participant, focused by racist abuse, and which deprives Ivory Coast of an skilled attacking profile. By a whisker, we most well-liked him to Mohammed Kudus and Antoine Semenyo on this XI.

Antoine Semenyo (Ghana)

One of many Premier League’s hottest properties this season, the Bournemouth striker is one other casualty of Ghana’s qualifying catastrophe. With six objectives and three assists in 14 Premier League matches, Semenyo’s explosive kind has attracted curiosity from Liverpool, Manchester United and Tottenham. The 25-year-old ahead, who possesses a £65m launch clause, would have been a real menace in Morocco together with his energy, tempo and scientific ending. As an alternative, he stays out there for the Cherries through the festive interval – small comfort for lacking what may have been his breakthrough event on the continental stage.

A real game-changer for the Leopards, Wissa will miss AFCON after an harm sustained on worldwide obligation final September towards Senegal. Solely simply again in motion and flying with Newcastle, an settlement was reached for him to concentrate on his membership earlier than returning in March for intercontinental play-offs with DR Congo.

Joint-top scorer in final season’s Champions League, Guirassy was however having a strong particular person marketing campaign with the Syli Nationwide. However Guinea didn’t qualify for AFCON regardless of his six objectives in qualifying. One of many continent’s most in-form strikers will due to this fact watch the competitors from his couch.

Substitutes:

Alexis Gudenuz (Algeria) Chadduu (Senalegal) Chadico Rid (Moir) Joyful Nadir (Moir) Laiduuni (Modabia) Martidi (Inilem) Mnotsi) Martidal (Acerbak) Prophet) Montus Bellow (Algeria) Wait Aonoin (Ghana) Vinntyo Vinnty Ababakabak (Cameroon) Victor Bonifave ( Nerphasia)

This text was initially revealed on Afrik foot.