The Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) has kicked off in the Ivory Coast, and it’s time to keep track of the Premier League players who are participating in this prestigious tournament. With over 30 Premier League stars representing their respective nations, the competition promises to be intense, and football fans worldwide are eagerly watching their favourite players.
Egypt are the all-time winningest team at the AFCON tournament, with seven titles. The Pharaohs were beaten finalists two years ago, as Senegal won for the first time. Can Egypt win the AFCON tournament for an eighth time? According to several AFCON 2024 betting sites, Egypt are the favourites to bring home the trophy once more.
The tournament, which began on January 13 and will run until February 11, has seen some of the biggest names in the Premier League trading club colours for national jerseys. Let’s take a closer look at which Premier League players are at AFCON and how they are performing in their respective groups.
Group A: Ivory Coast and Nigeria
Group A features four Premier League players from Nottingham Forest, including Serge Aurier, Willy Boly, Ibrahim Sangare and Ola Aina.
Meanwhile, Nigeria boasts Alex Iwobi and Calvin Bassey from Fulham, as well as Frank Onyeka from Brentford. These players will be instrumental in their national teams’ quests for glory. Brighton’s Simon Adingra will represent host nation Ivory Coast.
Group B: Egypt and Ghana
Group B showcases two of the most prominent Premier League players in the tournament. Mohamed Elneny, who plays for Arsenal, represents Egypt, alongside Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah. Ghana, on the other hand, feature Crystal Palace’s Jordan Ayew, West Ham’s Mohammed Kudus, and Bournemouth’s Antoine Semenyo.
Group C: Senegal and Cameroon
Group C presents a mix of Premier League talent from various clubs. Fulham’s Fode Ballo-Toure and Moussa Niakhate from Nottingham Forest join Everton’s Idrissa Gueye, Chekihou Kouyate of Nottingham Forest, Tottenham’s Pape Matar Sarr, and Chelsea’s Nicolas Jackson in representing Senegal.
Cameroon, on the other hand, feature Andre Onana from Manchester United, who will play a vital role in their campaign.
Group D: Algeria and Burkina Faso
Group D includes Premier League representatives from Algeria and Burkina Faso. Wolves’ Rayan Ait-Nouri and Sheffield United’s Yasser Larouci strengthen the Algerian squad.
Meanwhile, Luton Town’s Issa Kabore, Aston Villa’s Bertrand Traore, and Bournemouth’s Dango Ouattara add depth to Burkina Faso’s lineup.
Group E: Tunisia and Mali
Tunisia’s only Premier League representative is Anis Ben Slimane from Sheffield United. Mali, on the other hand, boast Tottenham’s Yves Bissouma and Wolves’ Boubacar Traore, who will aim to make their presence felt in the tournament.
Group F: Morocco and DR Congo
In Group F, Premier League stars from Morocco and DR Congo are ready to shine.
West Ham’s Nayef Aguerd and Manchester United’s Sofyan Amrabat feature for Morocco, while Brentford’s Yoane Wissa represents DR Congo. These players will be pivotal in their teams’ ambitions for AFCON glory.
The Africa Cup of Nations is the showcase football tournament on the continent. It is where established stars from the Premier League aim to bring home domestic international glory. It is also a tournament in which new players rise to the occasion.
