Big players set to miss the Africa Cup 2023

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Source: X06613

The Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2023 will be missing some of the continent's biggest stars, as injuries and fitness issues have ruled out several key players.

Some Key players were notably excluded from their nation's squad list due to stiff competition for spots, managerial and other reasons.

Here are some of the notable absentees from the tournament.

Thomas Partey- Ghana

The Black Stars midfielder has been struggling with fitness this season and was not included in Ghana's final squad. Partey has been out of action for English side Arsenal since October. He was part of the Black Stars team that reached the semi-finals of the competition in 2017.

Wilfred Zaha- Ivory Coast

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The Ivorian winger will not feature for the host nation, as he was left out of the Elephants' squad. Zaha also plays for Turkish side Galatasaray in the Turkish Süper Lig.

Victor Boniface- Nigeria

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The striker will miss the AFCON after suffering an injury while preparing for the tournament with Nigeria. The Super Eagles will be hoping Victor Osimhen’s goals are enough to win them this year’s trophy. Boniface is the top scorer for German league leaders Bayern Leverkusen in the Bundesliga netting 10 goals in 16 league games in the German top flight this season.

Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting- Cameroon

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The footballer who also plays for German giants Bayern Munich as a forward was not selected for Cameroon's squad, despite being part of the Indomitable Lions team that finished third at the 2021 AFCON on home soil.

Wilfred Ndidi- Nigeria

Wilfred Ndidi- Leicester City — Wilfred Ndidi after a match for English side Leicester City

The midfielder for English side Leicester City was initially named in Nigeria's squad, but had to withdraw due to a muscle injury he sustained on December 29.

Bryan Mbeumo- Cameroon

Byan Mbuemo- Brentford FC — Byan Mbuemo in action for English Premier League side Brentford FC

The Brentford forward will not be able to represent Cameroon at the AFCON, as he underwent surgery for an injury he picked up recently. Mbeumo has seven goals and three assists for Brentford in the English Premier League this season.

Baba Rahman- Ghana

The Ghanaian footballer who has been ever-present on the left flank for the Black Stars of Ghana will miss the competition due to an injury.

Taiwo Awoniyi- Nigeria

Taiwo Awoniyi- Super Eagles of Nigeria — Taiwo Awoniyi representing the Super Eagles of Nigeria

The Nigerian forward will also miss the competition for the Super Eagles after sustaining an injury. Awoniyi had been in fine form for his English Premier League side Nottingham Forest.

Cheick Doucoure- Mali

The Malian sustained an injury while playing for his club side Crystal Palace in the English top flight in November which ruled him out of the competition for the Eagles of Mali.

Tariq Lamptey- Ghana

Lamptey limped off in a match for Brighton and Hove Albion against Nottingham Forest in the Premier League in November. The diminutive Ghanaian was later confirmed to have sustained an injury that ruled him out of the competition for the Black Stars.

Edward Sakyi