The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has insisted that the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) is still going ahead, despite COVID-19 cases rising globally, SportsDayOnline.com reports.
Due to be held in Cameroon from January 9 to February 6, the AFCON will see Africa’s best national teams going toe-to-toe for continent glory, but there are conflicting reports about whether it will be called off.
There’s been a groundswell of pressure to force the Central African Federation to postpone the tournament, but there is no risk of this happening.
CAF however have remained adamant that the festival of football will still happen, even with some clubs hoping for a cancellation so that their star players remain at the club for that period.
A month away from club football during possibly the busiest period of the season is sure to cause problems for all 20 English Premier League sides, as it will test the teams’ squad depth to its limits.
List Premier League club and players set to leave for AFCON:
Arsenal: Thomas Partey (Ghana), Mohamed Elneny (Egypt), Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (Gabon), Nicolas Pepe (Ivory Coast)
Aston Villa: Trezeguet (Egypt), Bertrand Traore (Burkina Faso), Marvelous Nakamba (Zimbabwe)
Brentford: Julian Jeanvier (Guinea), Frank Onyeka (Nigeria), Tariqe Fosu-Henry (Ghana)
Brighton: Yves Bissouma (Mali)
Burnley: Maxwel Cornet (Ivory Coast)
Chelsea: Edouard Mendy (Senegal), Hakim Ziyech (Morocco)
Crystal Palace: Cheikhou Kouyate (Senegal), Jeffrey Schlupp (Ghana), Jordan Ayew (Ghana), Wilfried Zaha (Ivory Coast)
Everton: Alex Iwobi (Nigeria), Jean-Philippe Gbamin (Ivory Coast)
Leeds: None
Leicester: Daniel Amartey (Ghana), Kelechi Iheanacho (Nigeria), Nampalys Mendy (Senegal), Wilfried Ndidi (Nigeria)
Liverpool: Mohamed Salah (Egypt), Sadio Mane (Senegal), Naby Keita (Guinea)
Manchester City: Riyad Mahrez (Algeria)
Manchester United: Amad Diallo (Ivory Coast), Eric Bailly (Ivory Coast)
Newcastle: None
Norwich: None
Southampton: Moussa Djenepo (Mali), Mohammed Salisu (Ghana)
Tottenham: None
Watford: Adam Masina (Morocco), Emmanuel Dennis Bonaventure (Nigeria), Ismaila Sarr (Senegal), Oghenekaro Etebo (Nigeria), William Troost-Ekong (Nigeria)
West Ham: Said Benrahma (Algeria)
Wolves: Romain Saiss (Morocco), Willy Boly (Ivory Coast)
