The English Premier League has proven to be home to many African players. This league has featured the best players from Africa. In recent years, clubs like Liverpool, Manchester United, and Fulham have enjoyed the unique talents of African players. With these players, they have won trophies and amassed successes.
Well, one of the perks that come with African players in Europe is the AFCON tournament window. Every two years, players whose country plays in the AFCON tournament are expected to return from European clubs to participate in the AFCON tournament. This time, it is no different. African players in the EPL have made the trip back home to represent their countries.
Well, these trips would come at a cost for the EPL teams involved. In this post, you will be reading about top EPL clubs that would lose key players due to the AFCON 2025 tournament. Let’s get started without wasting much time.
EPL Players That Would Lose Key Players To AFCON
These are key players who would lose key players to the AFCON 2025 tournament:
1. Sunderland
Sunderland was founded in 1879 and has remained one of the oldest clubs in the English Premier League. The Sunderland team has been associated with African players since its establishment. If you look at their history, they’ve had players from countries like Ghana and Senegal play for the club and taken it to success.
The Sunderland club tops the list of top clubs that would be deeply affected when the AFCON tournament kicks off on December 21.
They would be without key players such as Bertrand Traoré (Burkina Faso), Arthur Masuaku (DR Congo), Noah Sadiki (DR Congo), Reinildo (DR Congo), Chemsdine Talbi (Mozambique), and Habib Diarr (Senegal).
This would prove to be a big miss for the Sunderland team as these players are key to Sunderland’s style of play and tactics.
If these teams progress deep into AFCON, Sunderland could be without these players when they play teams like Everton, Crystal Palace, West Ham, Brentford, and Sheffield United.
2. Manchester United
Manchester United is another EPL club that has enjoyed the talents of African footballers. The club was founded in 1878 but has been able to bring in a few African players who have contributed to their recent successes. Manchester United has relied on African players for defensive solidity and squad depth.
For the AFCON 2025, Manchester United are likely to lose Bryan Mbeumo (Cameroon), Amad Diallo (Ivory Coast), and Noussair Mazraoui (Morocco). So far this season, these players have shown their impact in scoring goals and being involved in Manchester United’s form.
During the AFCON, Manchester United could be without them for matches against Tottenham, Aston Villa, Wolves, West Ham, and Chelsea. You’ll agree that these matches are crucial matches that could define where Manchester United will definitely end this season.
3. Wolverhampton Wanderers
Wolverhampton Wanderers was founded in 1877 and has steadily built its team around African players. This is evident in how Wolves have trusted African players in key roles especially in midfield and attack. This trust has paid off but it also means that they would be affected during the AFCON tournaments.
At AFCON 2025, they would be losing Emmanuel Agbadou (Ivory Coast) and Tawanda Chirewa (Zimbabwe). Their absence could see Wolves without two starters for matches such as Newcastle, Brighton, Brentford, Everton, and Manchester City.
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4. Fulham
Fulham was established in 1879 and has become London’s oldest football club. In recent years, the Fulham team has leaned on African players to provide squad depth when the season gets tough.
In Fulham, it has been noticed how African players have been tasked with roles that have influenced Fulham’s direct style of play. As a result, their absence would make Fulham struggle to build back.
During AFCON 2025, Fulham are expected to lose Alex Iwobi (Nigeria), Calvin Bassey (Nigeria), and Samuel Chukwueze (Nigeria). In fact, both players are almost guaranteed starters for Nigeria and play important roles for Fulham every week.
Alex Iwobi leads Fulham in chance creation and ball progression, while Calvin Bassey is an important player in defensive contributions. Their AFCON participation could see them miss matches against Bournemouth, Nottingham Forest, Crystal Palace, Burnley, and Luton Town.
5. Nottingham Forest
Nottingham Forest was founded in 1865 and remains one of England’s most valuable clubs. African players at Nothingham Forest occupy physical roles especially in defense and midfield.
Nottingham Forest is expected to lose players such as Willy Boly (Ivory Coast) and Ibrahim Sangaré (Ivory Coast) during the AFCON 2025 tournament. Their absence could lead to them missing matches against Arsenal, Brentford, West Ham, Aston Villa, and Manchester United.
6. Burnley
Burnley Football Club was founded in 1882 and has become one of the most interesting teams in the English Premier League. Just like other teams on this list, Burnley has gradually integrated Africans into its team.
As AFCON 2025 approaches, Burnley is likely to feel the impact through the absence of Axel Tuanzebe (DR Congo), Lyle Foster (South Africa), and Hannibal Mejbri (Tunisia).
If these teams progress beyond the AFCON group stage, Burnley would miss these players especially in matches such as Brentford, Crystal Palace, Luton Town, and Nottingham Forest. This could be a big blow, especially for Burnley, since they are a club fighting for stability and survival.
Conclusion
The AFCON 2025 will no doubt test the EPL teams’ depth and adaptability. Yes, especially for teams like Sunderland and Manchester United, these could be very important in their final positions when the season ends. For these players, the AFCON 2025 window will provide another opportunity for them to show their love for their country. Will their club side be able to fare well even after the player’s absence? Or will the player’s absence cause them to struggle? Let’s see.
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