By Sameer Naik4 September 2024
Africa’s Premier League stars in Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers
As the English Premier League takes a temporary pause for the international break, the eyes of football fans across Africa will be glued to their screens.
The continent’s top talents, who ply their trade in the Premier League, will be donning their national jerseys to compete in the crucial 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.
From the bustling streets of Cairo to the vibrant cities of Lagos, the excitement surrounding these matches is palpable.
Showmax takes a dive into the African stars who represent the Premier League’s elite clubs. These players have not only made a significant impact on their respective teams but have also become integral parts of their national squads.
As they prepare to battle it out for a place in the prestigious Africa Cup of Nations, Showmax takes a look at where some of the African stars in the Premier League will be heading off on international duty.
Chelsea
Senegal: Nicolas Jackson
The group stage of qualifying for next year’s Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco gets underway this month. Senegal begin their campaign at home against Burkina Faso at 8pm BST on Friday, 6 September, and then away in Burundi at 2pm BST on Monday. 9 September.
Arsenal
Ghana: Thomas Partey
The Ghanaian should be back with Arsenal in good time ahead of the North London derby. Ghana’s two AFCON qualifiers take place on Thursday (Angola) and next Monday (Niger). With the Niger fixture being a 4pm kick-off time too, Partey will return to training with the Gunners’ first team by Wednesday week at the very latest.
Liverpool
Egypt: Mohamed Salah
Record seven-time Cup of Nations winner Egypt will begin its campaign against Cape Verde and will look to make amends after losing a last-16 penalty shootout against the Democratic Republic of Congo at AFCON 2023.
The tournament was a huge personal disappointment for team captain Mohamed Salah, whose group-stage injury forced an unexpectedly early return to England.
Manchester United
Cameroon: Andre Onana
Onana will help his nation kickstart their AFCON qualification campaign under experienced coach Marc Brys, who took charge of his first matches in June earlier this year.
Morocco: Noussair Mazraoui
Morocco face off against Gabon in their first fixture, followed by a game against Central African Republic.
Ivory Coast: Amad Diallo
Manchester United forward Amad Diallo has been recalled to the Ivory Coast squad for the first time in some 18 months as they begin the defence of their Africa Cup of Nations title.
Tottenham Hotspur
Senegal: Pape Sarr
Sarr is in the Senegal squad for AFCON qualifiers against Burkina Faso and Burundi. The game against Burkina Faso is on 6 September, and against Burundi on the 9th.
Manchester City
No Manchester City players will be competing in the Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers this year.
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