A weekend of drama on and off the pitch in the African Cup of Nations qualifiers finally determined those countries involved in Januaryβs tournament. For Premier League managers and Fantasy managers alike, we can now look ahead to the New Year and assess those players set to be involved, whilst forming strategies to cope with the absentees.
Who will be involved?
Last night we saw Cape Verde Islands spring the biggest surprise, knocking out Cameroon on aggregate to reach the finals for the first time in their history. Ethiopia, Angola, DR Congo, Niger, Burkino Faso and Algeria also joined them in the finals, while Emmanuel Adebayorβs strike for Togo helped them earn passage with a 3-2 aggregate win over Gabon.
With qualifying ties played out on Saturday, the final lineup for Januaryβs tournament now looks like thisβ¦
Ghana, Mali, Zambia, Nigeria, Tunisia, Ivory Coast, Morocco, Ethiopia, Cape Verde, Angola, Niger, Togo, DR Congo, Burkina Faso, Algeria. South Africa also qualify as hosts.
In terms of how this impacts on Premier League squads, hereβs a breakdown of the first-team players who could be included in the tournament squadsβ¦
Arsenal: Emmanuel Frimpong (Ghana), Gervinho (Ivory Coast), Marouane Chamakh (Morocco)
Aston Villa: Karim El Ahmadi (Morocco)
Chelsea: John Obi Mikel, Victor Moses (Nigeria), Bertrand Traore (Burkina Faso)
Everton: Victor Anichebe (Everton)
Fulham: Mahamadou Diarra (Mali)
Liverpool: Oussama Assaidi (Morocco)
Manchester City: Kolo Toure, Yaya Toure (Ivory Coast)
Newcastle United: Cheick Tiote (Ivory Coast)
Queens Park Rangers: Samba Diakite (Mali), Adel Taarabt (Morocco)
Southampton: Emmanuel Mayuka (Zambia)
Tottenham Hotspur: Emmanuel Adebayor (Togo)
West Bromwich Albion: Peter Odemwingie (Nigeria), Youssouf Mulumbu (DR Congo)
West Ham United: Modibo Maiga (Mali), Guy Demel (Ivory Coast)
Wigan Athletic: Arouna Kone (Ivory Coast)
The most notable names in that list in terms of their Fantasy impact are those of Guy Demel, Gervinho and Yaya Toure β all players who have attracted strong investment across the Fantasy games this term. It’s also likely that Cheick Tioteβs possible absence would reduce the appeal of the Newcastle backline.
It’s also worth considering that there will be new call-ups – players who have perhaps yet to earn international recognition who are tempted by involvement in the tournament. Newcastle’s Shola Ameobi is already on the radar for Nigeria, for example.
None of this will bite just yet, although itβs certainly worth keeping their absence in mind when contemplating long-term strategies. In the FPL, we are certain to see price drops for all three players as the savvy begin to sell them on before they are flagged as unavailable.
Itβs not all bad news either: the absence of Chelsa pairing Mikel and Victor Moses is set to ease the rotation threat in the Chelsea midfield somewhat and the same can be said of QPRβs midfield with Diakite and Taarabt both likely absentees. Emmanuel Adebayorβs inclusion in the Togo squad would also hand Jermain Defoe an assured run of starts, although thatβs ruling out Tottenham acquiring a new striker in January, of course.
Steven Pienaar is a notable absentee from our list, despite being highlighted in the Daily Mailβs article today, the Everton man is very unlikely to play a part for the tournament hosts: he announced his retirement from international football on October 2.
How many Gameweeks will they miss?
The tournament begins in South Africa on January 19, with the final played out on February 10. This means that clubs will likely lose players from their squads from Gameweek 22, with some absent right up until Gameweek 27, although some players will be set to return for Gameweek 26 on February 9.
Some may even return prior the the Gameweek 25 fixtures on February 2 but the chances of them taking part in a Premier League match 48-hours after flying back from the group stages seem minimal.
In reality then, weβre looking at least five Gameweeks out for those involved β unless clubs can seek dispensation to keep their players for Gameweek 22 β one week before the tournament starts.
Weβll offer full confirmation of squads and absentees nearer the time in our ACON coverage.
