The 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, kicking off in just 13 days, will be without several key players due to injury, retirement, or not being called up. Their absence is set to impact their national teams’ preparations and prospects in the tournament.
Senegal could be missing Habib Diarra, Assane Diao, and Ismaïla Sarr, all sidelined by injuries. Nigeria may be without Stanley Nwabali, and Ola Aina while Benjamin Fredricks has been officially ruled out. Williams Troost Ekong will not feature after retiring from international football. Morocco also has injury crisis, with Achraf Hakimi and Hamza Igamane racing against time to recover . The Democratic Republic of Congo will be without Yoane Wissa, who Sebastien Desabre dropped from the squad. Egypt may be missing Mohammed Abdelmonem, Cameroon could be without Franck Zambo Anguissa, Mali may miss Yves Bissouma, and Uganda could be without Bevis Mugabi due to injury.
Some of the tournament’s biggest stars from Ghana, including Andre Ayew, Jordan Ayew, Mohammed Kudus, Antoine Semenyo, Andre Onana, and Abdul Fatawu, will not participate as the Black Stars did not qualify for AFCON 2025. Serhou Guirassy on the other hand won’t feature in this year’s edition as Guinea failed to qualify.
While a few of the injured players may still recover in time, the tournament will be notably missing several key performers, underscoring the challenges teams face in fielding their strongest squads ahead of Africa’s premier football competition.