Nottingham Forest’s six-man AFCON contingent could miss up to six games while away with their national sides for this year’s competition.
It’s often a major issue for many European clubs when the Africa Cup of Nations is on. The 2023 AFCON tournament – which confusingly will be played in 2024 – takes place in the Ivory Coast from 13 January to 11 February.
At the height of the European domestic season, many clubs will be without several of their most important players.
Others, such as Premier League champions Manchester City, have been luckier – Pep Guardiola won’t lose a single player during this year’s AFCON.
Nottingham Forest have not been so fortunate. With six players due to depart for some or all of January, no Premier League club faces a bigger exodus during the competition.
It’s not like Forest have had things easy recently, either. They sacked former boss Steve Cooper following a run of bad results that left them 16th in the table, just two points above the relegation zone.
Before last week’s win against Manchester United, Forest had not won in the league since beating Aston Villa 2-0 on 5 November, a run of eight games.
Which Nottingham Forest Players Will Be At AFCON 2023?
And they won’t get an easy start to life under new manager Nuno Espirito Santo. The former Tottenham and Wolves boss comes in just as they are due to lose five key figures to this year’s AFCON.
With three players in the Ivory Coast squad and two with tournament favourites Senegal, it’s likely all five players could be gone until the latter stages of the tournament.
Forest’s Ivorian Trio
Ivory Coast final squad for #AFCON2023 🇨🇮#AFCON pic.twitter.com/sVOrquijCY
— Africa Soccer Zone (@AfricaSoccer_zn) December 28, 2023
Fullback Serge Aurier has made 41 appearances so far since joining from La Liga side Villareal last season. The 31-year-old is an experienced Premier League defender and will be a big loss for Forest.
Joining him in the Ivory Coast squad is another seasoned pro, Wily Boly. With more than 300 senior appearances including a long spell in the top flight with Wolves, Boly is another defender that will leave a big hole in his club’s back four next month.
And the third Ivorian international who will be leaving Forest for international duty is midfielder Ibrahim Sangare. The 26-year-old arrived in the summer window from Eredivisie outfit PSV Eindhoven for £30 million.
He’s since made 11 appearances for Forest, though has only played once in their last five Premier League matches.
Two Forest Stars In Senegal Squad
Senegal’s Afcon squad.
The defending champions look strong yet again. pic.twitter.com/wzGmozl2eg
— John Bennett (@JohnBennettBBC) December 29, 2023
Moving onto the Forest’s Senegalese duo, Moussa Niakhat amd Cheikhou Kouyate will both be big losses. Niakhate has made 15 appearances for Forest this campaign and his call-up to Senegal means a third defender will be absent from the City Ground.
Cheikhou Koyate is an 88-cap veteran for his country. The 34-year-old has been a mainstay in the Senegal squad for years and is another player Forest will have to live without.
How many games Nottingham Forest’s AFCON players will miss obviously depends on how well their respective nations perform. But with Senegal the tournament favourites and Ivory Coast also fancied, it could be a long tournament for Forest.
Just One Forest Player In Nigeria Squad With Awoniyi Out
One Forest player who won’t be linking up with his national side this month is Taiwo Awoniyi. The Nigerian international faces a lengthy layoff following surgery on a groin injury.
However, his countryman and Forest teammate, Ola Aina, has been called up. Aina is yet another defender who will be missing for Forest during AFCON.
The 27-year-old right back has 30 caps and joins up with a host of other Premier League stars in the Super Eagles squad.
Super Eagles of Nigeria Sqaud List for AFCON 2023 🇳🇬 pic.twitter.com/D6Enm4SmAb
— MBAH (@Mbahdeyforyou) December 29, 2023
2023 AFCON Schedule
The group stages of this season’s AFCON run from 13 to 24 January. Thanks to the Premier League’s scheduling, Forest only actually have one game during this period.
They visit to Brentford on 20 of January, meaning anyone involved with AFCON will definitely be unavailable. There is also a chance they will miss the FA Cup third round tie with Blackpool on 7 January, depending when they leave for international duty.
Should Forest overcome Blackpool, the fourth round will be played over the weekend of 27 January. Those knocked out in the group stage still may not be available by then.
The AFCON knockout stages start on 27 January this year, with the final on 11 February. Forest play three Premier League games in that time.
They host Arsenal on 30 January, before travelling to Bournemouth four days later. Forest’s home match with Newcastle on 10 February comes one day before the AFCON final.
With Nottingham Forest’s AFCON contingent all playing for favoured sides, they could well miss the majority of these games with a deep run in the competition.
Nottingham Forest’s Schedule During AFCON
- 7 January: Nottingham Forest – Blackpool (FA Cup third round)
- 20 January: Brentford – Nottingham Forest (Premier League)
- 27 January: FA Cup fourth round
- 30 January: Nottingham Forest – Arsenal (Premier League)
- 4 February: Bournemouth – Nottingham Forest (Premier League)
- 10 February: Nottingham Forest – Newcastle (Premier League)
Nuno Espirito Santo’s men play their first game after the Africa Cup of Nations on 17 February, when they host West Ham.
Add Sportslens to your Google News Feed!
