Day by day, we are gradually approaching the main day for the 2021 AFCON with some of the national teams like Nigeria, Morocco, and Ivory Coast already in Cameroon amidst preparations for the continental competition....CONTINUE READING
However, the tournament will be going on without some best players on the continent and in this article, we bring you the 6 absentees in the tournament about to take place between 24 teams in Cameroon.
1. Victor Osimhen
First, he was threatened by injury, and later amidst his gradual recovery of dislocating his eye socket, he tested positive for Covid-19 and that has been a huge threat to his participation with the Super Eagles of Nigeria in the continental competition.
As it stands now, the three-time winners of the AFCON trophy will be without the Napoli in-form striker who has been consistently finding the back of the net both in the Italian Serie A and the UEFA Europa League.
2. Emmanuel Dennis
Another influential player, the Super Eagles of Nigeria will be missing out in the continental competition is Watford’s striker who for the record has been getting the goals for the English Premier League club in the season.
Emmanuel Dennis due to club policy was not able to make it with the Super Eagles of Nigeria in Cameroon and will be out of the tournament while the Super Eagles will go with Union Berlin striker Taiwo Awoniyi.
3. Joel Matip
Liverpool player and Cameroonian Joel Matip won’t be joining host Cameroon to seek their sixth continental continent following his absence from the 28-man squad of Cameroon for the 2021 African Cup of Nations.
Joel Matip last played his game with the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon on September 6th, 2015, in an AFCON qualifying game against the Gambia. The encounter that ended 1-0 was his last outing for the host.
4. Gervinho
Ivorian legend Gervinho is set to miss what would have been his final international tournament, following his absence from the Ivorian national AFCON team.
A one-time winner of the African Nations Cup with Ivory Coast in 2015, this could have been his last time to represent his nation but he won’t as he is already out.
5. Hakim Ziyech:
Ziyech’s availability in the new year will be a boost for Chelsea, who are chasing the Premier League title, but for the Atlas Lions of Morocco, they will have to move on without the midfielder.
Morocco is in Group C alongside Ghana, Comoros, and Gabon for the tournament in Cameroon and all games for the Atlas Lions will be played without the 28-year-old Chelsea player.
6. Leon Balogun
The 28-year-old Nigerian center-back will be missing out in the continental competition due to injuries, meanwhile, a fellow teammate at the club level Joe Aribo will be part of the Super Eagles of Nigeria.
A cool, calm, and collected defender Leon Balogun would have been influential for the Super Eagles of Nigeria in Cameroon but that won’t be possible following his absence from the tournament.
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