AFCON 2025: The Tournament Poised To Shake The Premier League

By AUGUSTUS ISICHEI

AFCON 2025: The Hidden Battle Premier League Clubs Must Confront

AS the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations approaches, the Premier League is bracing for one of its most challenging mid-season disruptions in recent memory. With 40 players from 17 clubs set to depart for the month-long competition in Morocco from 21 December 2025 to 18 January 2026, the league is preparing for a uniquely tense period—one that could reshape title races, alter relegation battles, and expose squad weaknesses.

The competition’s timing, once again clashing directly with the busiest phase of European football, raises familiar frustrations but also highlights a growing truth: African talent now sits at the heart of many Premier League squads, and their absence leaves significant tactical and emotional gaps.

A Tournament With Serious Domestic Consequences

This year’s AFCON falls awkwardly across the Premier League’s Christmas and New Year schedule, a period typically crammed with fixtures that shape the season. Teams could play up to seven matches without their African stars, including league games, FA Cup ties, and possibly EFL Cup fixtures.

For title contenders, this is a nightmare scenario. For clubs fighting relegation, it could be the difference between survival and collapse.

While Arsenal, Chelsea, and Leeds United will escape unscathed—having no players expected to feature—others will enter January severely weakened.

At the opposite end, Sunderland and Wolves stand to lose the most, with both clubs surrendering multiple starters and squad anchors.

Which Clubs Are Hit the Hardest?

Wolves: A Mass Exodus

Wolves suffer the biggest talent drain, losing players across defense, midfield, and attack. Tolu Arokodare, Emmanuel Agbadou, Jackson Tchatchoua, Marshall Munetsi, Reinildo Mandava, and others could leave Gary O’Neil scrambling to rebuild his matchday XI. With Wolves’ form often reliant on physicality and pace—attributes many of their African players embody—the disruption could be severe.

Sunderland: A Newly Promoted Side Under Strain

For newly promoted Sunderland, the timing is brutal. Losing Habib Diarra, Chemsdine Talbi, Arthur Masuaku, Noah Sadiki, Bertrand Traoré, and more could destabilise their survival campaign. Depth will be tested, and January may feel longer than ever.

Manchester Clubs: Not Immune

Manchester United and Manchester City both take hits.

United will lose Bryan Mbeumo, Amad Diallo, and Noussair Mazraoui—each key to their fluid wing play and defensive rotation.

City must part with Mohamed Salah’s international teammate Omar Marmoush and full-back Rayan Aït-Nouri.

Nigeria, Senegal, Morocco Lead the Charge

Nigeria’s squad is expected to draw heavily from the Premier League, taking six players, including:

• Alex Iwobi, Calvin Bassey, Samuel Chukwueze (Fulham trio)

• Frank Onyeka (Brentford)

• Christantus Uche (Crystal Palace)

• Tolu Arokodare (Wolves)

Senegal, defending champions Ivory Coast, and host nation Morocco round out the top contenders—each carrying major Premier League names.

A Showcase of African Influence in English Football

AFCON 2025 is more than an inconvenience; it is a reminder of Africa’s enormous impact on the Premier League. From Salah to Pape Matar Sarr, from Iwobi to Ismaila Sarr, from Tuanzebe to Guessand—African players are no longer fringe contributors but key components of tactical systems and club identities.

For years, Premier League managers have quietly dreaded AFCON windows. This edition—coming during a congested European calendar and with many clubs undergoing tactical rebuilds—may prove one of the most disruptive yet.

Full List of Premier League Players Expected at AFCON 2025

Algeria

• Rayan Aït-Nouri — Manchester City

Burkina Faso

• Dango Ouattara — Brentford

• Bertrand Traoré — Sunderland

Cameroon

• Carlos Baleba — Brighton

• Bryan Mbeumo — Manchester United

• Jackson Tchatchoua — Wolves

DR Congo

• Axel Tuanzebe — Burnley

• Arthur Masuaku — Sunderland

• Noah Sadiki — Sunderland

Egypt

• Mohamed Salah — Liverpool

• Omar Marmoush — Manchester City

Ivory Coast

• Evann Guessand — Aston Villa

• Amad Diallo — Manchester United

• Ibrahim Sangaré — Nottingham Forest

• Willy Boly — Nottingham Forest

• Simon Adingra — Sunderland

• Emmanuel Agbadou — Wolves

Mali

• Cheick Doucouré — Crystal Palace

Morocco

• Amine Adli — Bournemouth

• Chadi Riad — Crystal Palace

• Adam Aznou — Everton

• Noussair Mazraoui — Manchester United

• Chemsdine Talbi — Sunderland

Mozambique

• Reinildo Mandava — Sunderland

Nigeria

• Frank Onyeka — Brentford

• Christantus Uche — Crystal Palace

• Alex Iwobi — Fulham

• Calvin Bassey — Fulham

• Samuel Chukwueze — Fulham

• Tolu Arokodare — Wolves

Senegal

• Ismaila Sarr — Crystal Palace

• Iliman Ndiaye — Everton

• Idrissa Gueye — Everton

• Habib Diarra — Sunderland

• Pape Matar Sarr — Tottenham

• El Hadji Malick Diouf — West Ham

South Africa

• Lyle Foster — Burnley

Tunisia

• Hannibal Mejbri — Burnley

Zimbabwe

• Marshall Munetsi — Wolves

• Tawanda Chirewa — Wolves

As the Premier League enters the decisive winter stretch, AFCON 2025 will challenge managers, test squad depth, and offer a month-long showcase of African brilliance on the world stage. The real battle, however, may unfold not in Morocco but across stadiums in England—where coaches must adapt or risk losing vital ground.