The Africa Cup of Nations has been a tournament of shocks so far with a number of highly-fancied teams crashing out of the competition in an unexpectedly speedy fashion.
Despite the group stage format appearing to favour the bigger countries – only eight teams out of 24 failed to progress to the knockout stage – both Ghana and reigning champions Algeria contrived to finish bottom of their groups.
Nigeria emerged as the favourites to lift the trophy after being the only team to win all three of their group matches, however they have also been knocked out after losing 1-0 to Tunisia in the last-16.
While Premier League managers have publicly offered their support to their players competing in Cameroon, many are unlikely to be too unhappy at the prospect of having them back at training ahead of schedule.
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Some players who were away at Afcon have already returned to England and more will follow as the tournament progresses, giving them time to readjust ahead of the FA Cup 4th round and the Premier League’s resumption.
However, others could be away from their clubs for some time yet as the competition’s third-place play-off and final are both scheduled to take place on Sunday 6 February.
Players who have already returned
Ghana’s disastrous early exit ensured that Thomas Partey (Arsenal), Jordan Ayew (Crystal Palace) and Daniel Amartey (Leicester) were all back with their respective clubs within a couple of weeks of leaving. Indeed, Partey played for Arsenal just two days after Ghana’s shock 3-2 loss to Comoros. It was an unhappy comeback as he was sent off in the Carabao Cup semi-final defeat against Liverpool.
Algeria’s dismal campaign ensured an early return to England for Riyad Mahrez (Manchester City) and Said Benrahma (West Ham). Pep Guardiola revealed that City had given Mahrez a week off and so the winger was not involved in Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Southampton, while Benrahma was also absent for West Ham’s 1-0 loss against Manchester United.
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Brendan Rodgers is unlikely to have been too displeased by Nigeria’s elimination, as he will have both Wilfred Ndidi and Kelechi Iheanacho back at Leicester for the FA Cup 4th round tie against Nottingham Forest. Watford will be boosted by the return of defender William Troost-Ekong, Frank Onyeka has gone back to Brentford and Alex Iwobi will link up with Everton after his costly sending off in the Tunisia defeat.
When could Salah, Mane and Mendy return?
There are plenty of high-profile stars still competing at Afcon, including all three of Liverpool’s contingent.
Although this has already been a tournament of shocks, a Senegal squad containing Sadio Mane (Liverpool), Edouard Mendy (Chelsea), Cheikou Kouyate (Crystal Palace), Ismaila Sarr (Watford) and Nampalys Mendy (Leicester) should have too much for Cape Verde in the last-16. Indeed, Senegal are ranked as the second favourites to win the competition by the bookies, behind hosts Cameroon who remarkably are unbeaten in competitive home games since 1973.
Africa Cup of Nations schedule
- Round of 16: January 23-25
- Quarter-final: January 29-30
- Semi-final: February 2-3
- Third place play-off: February 6
- Final: February 6
Regardless of the outcome, there will be a few Premier League based players exiting Afcon when Egypt and Ivory Coast face each other in Douala on Wednesday. Egypt’s hopes of going deep in the competition rest on the shoulders of Mohamed Salah (Liverpool), while Arsenal midfielder Mohamed Elneny and Aston Villa winger Trezeguet are also in their squad.
Wilfried Zaha (Crystal Palace), Maxwel Cornet (Burnley), Nicolas Pepe (Arsenal) and Eric Bailly (Manchester United) are all involved with Ivory Coast.
Mali’s chances of progressing to the latter stages have been boosted by Nigeria’s exit. If they beat Equatorial Guinea in the last-16 they will be up against either Tunisia or Burkina Faso in the quarters. Yves Bissouma (Brighton), Naby Keita (Liverpool) and Moussa Djenepo (Southampton) are key players for the west African country.
Morocco are also well-placed to capitalise on other major nations’ failures, which could delay the returns of Romain Saiss (Wolves) and Watford pair Adam Masina and Imran Louza.
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