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The 2023 Africa Cup of Nations is now nicely underway and the drama is already in full move within the Ivory Coast.
It has been the match of the underdog to date, with the likes of Cape Verde, Equatorial Guinea, Mozambique, Angola and Namibia all defying the FIFA rankings to select up outcomes in opposition to African giants.
Consequently, quite a few high-profile Premier League stars are already going through early exits from AFCON, which can seemingly come as excellent news to the top-division sides at present with out a few of their greatest performers.
Listed here are a few of the Premier League gamers who could possibly be returning to their golf equipment earlier than anticipated.
It is price noting that the 4 greatest performing third-placed sides within the group stage may even qualify for the knockout rounds, that means it is going to be darn tough for the massive hitters to depart AFCON early.
Nevertheless, Nigeria have incessantly underachieved at AFCON previously and have not made an awesome begin to the 2023 match. The Tremendous Eagles might solely handle a 1-1 draw with Equatorial Guinea of their Group A opener, a staff 46 locations beneath them within the FIFA rankings.
Nigeria’s loss can be Fulham’s achieve, the Cottagers capable of welcome Alex Iwobi and Calvin Bassey again to their squad ought to the Tremendous Eagles be knocked out early.
It will additionally function excellent news to Nuno Espirito Santo at Nottingham Forest, who would get Ola Aina again, whereas Frank Onyeka would additionally return to Brentford.
An early departure stays a chance for Egypt. The Pharaohs drew their first sport with lowly Mozambique, needing a 96th-minute penalty to spare their blushes. With Ghana up subsequent earlier than a conflict with Cape Verde, Rui Vitoria’s aspect want optimistic leads to their ultimate two video games of Group B.
Egypt had been runners-up at 2021 AFCON, dropping to Senegal within the ultimate on penalties. The seven-time file winners are often a robust knockout staff and a group-stage exit can be nothing in need of a catastrophe for the Pharaohs.
Nevertheless, with a busy and defining interval on the finish of January and starting of February, Liverpool would not be too saddened to see Mohamed Salah discover his method again to Merseyside. In the meantime, Arsenal, who play the Reds subsequent month, would additionally see Mohamed Elneny return to north London ought to Egypt crash out within the group stage.
Ghana made an excellent worse begin to Group B then their main qualification rivals Egypt, dropping 2-1 in stoppage-time to Cape Verde of their opener. Some comical defending noticed them fall to an underwhelming defeat, with the Black Stars now up in opposition to it to qualify in an automated spot.
The four-time champions face Egypt in a crunch conflict subsequent up earlier than assembly a Mozambique staff that induced Salah’s aspect loads of issues.
One cause behind Ghana’s disappointing show in opposition to Cape Verde was the absence of West Ham’s Mohammed Kudus. The attacker has been in devastating type for the Hammers however is at present nursing an damage.
Jordan Ayew was additionally unable to stop defeat for Ghana, the Crystal Palace attacker nonetheless sharing the sphere with brother and former Swansea Metropolis and West Ham ahead Andre. Bournemouth’s Antoine Semenyo additionally began in opposition to Cape Verde however was hooked after an hour.
Cameroon might solely safe a 1-1 draw of their Group C conflict with Guinea, even if their opponents had been diminished to 10 gamers earlier than half-time. With present holders Senegal additionally of their group, the five-time champions will not discover it simple to qualify mechanically.
Andre Onana is the one Premier League participant at present representing Cameroon at AFCON, though he did not function for the Indomitable Lions of their opener.
Having requested to delay his call-up with Cameroon till after Manchester United’s conflict with Tottenham on 14 January, Onana will now be out there for the remainder of the group stage.
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