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With just few days to the start of the 2024 AFCON tournament in Cote D’Ivoire, few African stars and playmakers will not be on parade for their various national teams due to injuries and some other factors.
Here is a list of the African stars who will miss out.
Victor Boniface Nigeria
Few weeks after emerging on the scene as one of the finest strikers on the surface of the earth, Nigeria and Bayer Leverkusen attacker, Victor Boniface who initially made the Super Eagles 25-man list to the tournament has been ruled out due to injury.
The attacker got injured while in training for the Super Eagles of Nigeria at the Abu Dhabi camp in the United State Emirate.
The attacker will be back on his feet in February 2024.
Thomas Partey Ghana
Very good defensive midfielders, Thomas Partey known for his skills, dribbles and defensive abilities will also not partake in the 2024 AFCON holding in Cote D’Ivoire.
Partey has been out injured for a couple of weeks and it has forced him to sit out in many games for his club Arsenal football club.
Ghana will miss his services at the AFCON 2024.
Taiwo Awoniyi
On -song Nigerian star, Taiwo Awoniyi is one of the top stars that will be missing at the Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast in January.
Few weeks to the start of the competition the Nottingham of England forward picked up a groin injury that would rule him out for several weeks.
Forest manager, Steve Cooper, announced in November that the striker, who had hoped to feature at the AFCON for the second time, would be out of action for some months after undergoing surgery to correct a groin injury he picked up during an international game between Nigeria and Saudi Arabia in Portugal.
The Nigerian is expected to be back on his feet after AFCON would have been concluded in January.
Bryan Mbeumo (Cameroon)
Cameroon and Brentford in-form striker Bryan Mbeumo is another very fine attacker that his services will be greatly missed at AFCON.
The striker got injured in Brentford’s 2-1 defeat at Brighton and Hove Albion on December 6.
Before his injury, the striker had 11 goal contributions (seven goals and assists)in 15 matches and his absence will come as a big blow to Cameroon head coach Rigobert Song.
Mbeumo is expected to return in March, 2024.
Cheick Doucoure (Mali)
Mali international Cheick Doucoure who is known for his defensive abilities, shooting attributes, and energy on the field of play will also miss AFCON 2024.
Doucouré’s injury in November shook the Mali national team after the defensive midfielder left Kenilworth Road on crutches after being taken off on a stretcher in the 54th minute of Crystal Palace’s 2-1 defeat to Luton.
Palace’s manager, Roy Hodgson, admitted after the game that the 23-year-old “is not going to be out for a short period of time” before it was confirmed two days later that he could be out for up to six months, a period which automatically ruled him out of the AFCON and probably the rest of the entire 2023/24 season.
Tariq Lamptey
The Black Stars of Ghana will also miss the services of quality attacker, Tariq Lamptey.
Lamptey will play no part in the Black Stars’ quest to win the AFCON tournament for the first time in over 40 years.
Lamptey limped off in the first half of the Brighton and Albion’s 3-2 win away against Nottingham Forest in the Premier League in November.
The attacker has been ruled out for many months.
Wilfred Ndidi Nigeria
Nigeria and Leicester of England defensive midfielder, Wilfred Ndidi had initially made the final 25-mn squad for the Super Eagles of Nigeria before being replaced by Alhassan a belgium based player.
Ndidi picked up an injury while playing for his championship clubside in England and has now being ruled out for several weeks.
Ndidi’s expertise and great footballing skills plus his defensive abilities will be missed by the Super Eagles of Nigeria.
Wilfred Zaha, Cote D’ Ivoire
Former Crystal palace attacker, Wilfred Zaha is another top notch player that will not be part of AFCON 2024.
Reports say that Zaha has been dropped due to his transfer out of the English Premier League.
Didier Drogba one of the greatest player to ever played for Cote D’Ivoire has questioned the exclusion of the player in the 27-man list released by coach of Elephants of Cote D’Ivoire.
Zaha featured for the Elephant of Cote D’Ivoire at the last AFCON and was a delight to watch.