Top eight African clubs with most players called up for AFCON 2023

The list leaders can even field a starting XI with the departed players

The 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) which was originally supposed to happen in the year 2023 was rescheduled to early 2024. The reason was as simple as concern for heavy rains across the West African country, Ivory Coast. Ivory Coast is the chosen country to host this 2023 AFCON event.

The 2023 AFCON tournament now is set to be played from 13 January onwards till 12 February, when the final is supposed to take place. Because the tournament is held in the mid-season of many club-level tournaments, many players have to leave their club to be able to attend and participate in it. In this article, we will be having a look at the top 8 African clubs with the most players called up for AFCON 2023.

8. Atlético Petróleos de Luanda – 5 players

Atlético Petróleos de Luanda feature in the Girabola league. Girabola are the first-tier football club competition in the country of Angola. Club players such as Eddie Afonso, To Carneiro and Kinito, will be taking part in the AFCON 2023 and represent the country of Angola. As a total of 5 players are heading to participate in the tournament, it comes as a major blow for Petro Atlético currently 2nd and just 4 points below from 1st placed Kabuscorp.

7. FC Nouadhibou – 5 players

A side from Mauritania have lost 5 players to AFCON games. FC Nouadhibou are based in the main commercial centre of Nouadhibou, Mauritania. Super D1 is the league where FC Nouadhibou play their league football. All of the 5 players departing are in the national football team of Mauritania for the Ivory Coast tournament. Defender Nouh Mohamed El Abd, midfielders – Bodda Mouhsine, Sidi Ahmed Mohamed El Abd, El Hadji Ba and forward Sidi Bouna Amar, are those five picked for the continental action.

6. Simba Sports Club – 6 players

Simba Sports Club participate in the Tanzanian Premier League. The leagues happen to be the top level of club competition in Tanzania, a country in East Africa. The club are also participating in the CAF Champions League this season. A total of 6 players are with their respective countries to fight for the 2023 AFCON title. The likes of Aishi Manula, Mzamiru Yassin and Kibu Denis will play for Tanzania itself.

5. Young Africans Sports Club – 7 players

Another outfit from Tanzania is set to lose 7 players. The Young Africans Sports Club are currently second in the 2023-24 Tanzanian Premier League and a place above Simba Sports Club. Midfielder Stephane Aziz Ki has joined the Burkina Faso national football team. Goalkeeper Djigui Diarra will try and safeguard Mali. Bakari Mwamnyeto, Ibrahim Hamad, Dickson Job and Mudathir Yahya will represent Tanzania. Forward Kennedy Musonda will provide an attacking threat for Zambia.

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4. Orlando Pirates – 7 players

One of the famous clubs from South Africa will also be losing at most 7 players for the January-February scheduled tournament. The club are based in Orlando, Soweto, South Africa. Orlando Pirates participates in the first-tier league called the South African Premier Division. Nkosinathi Sibisi, Thabang Monare, Zakhele Lepasa and Evidence Makgopa will represent Bafana. Ghana has picked Richard Ofori as one of the goalkeepers. Midfielder Deon Kavendji has joined the camp of the Namibia team.

3. Pyramids Football Club – 9 players

From the Egyptian Premier League, one of the powerhouses is set to lose 9 players in total. The club are based in New Cairo, Egypt and is currently in the mix of the Egyptian Super Cup and the league competition. Manager Jaime Pacheco’s task is to deal with these tournaments without 9 first-team players. The players departing for the Ivory Coast AFCON edition include – Blati Toure, Fiston Mayele, Ahmed El Shenawy, Ali Gabr, Ahmed Samy, Mohamed Hamdy, Mohanad Lasheen and Mostafa Fathi.

2. Al Ahly Sporting Club – 10 players

Another important club from the Egyptian Premier League will be dealing with the mid-season month without 10 players. Al Ahly Sporting Club who participated in the 2023 FIFA Club World Cup will however be cheering their employees from afar. Why so? Because they don’t have any competitive match lined up at least until 19 February. Ali Maaloul has joined Tunisia camp. Similarly, Percy Tau will be engaged with South Africa and Aliou Dieng with Mali.

1. Mamelodi Sundowns – 11 players

Mamelodi Sundowns happens to be down without 11 of their players. The Sundowns play in the South African Premier Division just like Orlando Pirates. The club last played on 30 December 2023 and has its next fixture scheduled for 14 February. So the 11 departed players won’t be of much concern apart from any injury they might sustain in the 2023 AFCON tournament. Only Peter Shalulile is joining Namibia while all the rest 10 players are in the South African camp.

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