South African Leagues Boast Unique Distinction With Players at 2021 African Cup of Nations

• Despite Bafana Bafana failing to qualify for the 2022 African Cup of Nations in Cameroon, there will be a large contingent of South Africa-based players at the tournament
• 17 players from the DStv Premiership as well as the National First Division will be spread out among eight countries at the tournament
• Zimbabwe has the most players based in Mzansi, while surprisingly, the NFD boasts more players in Cameroon than the Premiership

The majority of Africa-based players at AFCON 2021 playing in other leagues across the continent, the majority are plying their trade in South Africa.

This remarkable fact is amplified by the fact that Bafana Bafana will not be participating at the tournament. They will have missed two out of the last four editions of the competition.

The stat was revealed by Norwegian-Moroccan journalist Benjamin Hajji on his Twitter account. It was confirmed by the tallying of these players on the tournament's official website.

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These 17 players are from six different nations, spread across the DStv Premiership and the National First Division.

Limbikani Mzava (Amazulu), Dennis Chembezi (Polokwane City) Richard Mbulu (Baroka FC), Khuda Muyaba (Polokwane City) and Gabadinho Mhango (Orlando Pirates) will turn out in the colours of Malawi. Malawi was drawn with Guinea, Senegal and Zimbabwe in Group B.

The Zimbaweans will be represented by Talbert Shumba (Free State Stars), Gerald Takwara (Venda Football Academy), Onismor Bhasera and Kudakwashe Mahachi (both SuperSport United), Temptation Chiwunga and Ishmael Wadi (both JDR Stars) and Knox Mutizwa (Golden Arrows).

Amazulu goalkeeper Jean-Noël Amonome will be the sole Mzansi-based player in the Gabon squad, who will lock horns with the Comoros, Ghana and Morocco in Group C.

Kaizer Chiefs' Daniel Akpeyi and Orlando Pirates Olisa Ndah will don the Nigerian jersey as the Super Eagles try to negotiate a tough Group D comprising Egypt, Guinea-Bissau and Sudan.

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JDR Stars' Badra Ali Sangaré is in the Ivory Coast squad, which will look to see off the challenges of defending champions Algeria, Equatorial Guinea Sierra Leone in Group E.

Black Leopards' Modou Jobe rounds things off as a member of the unfancied Gambia, who will not look to just make up the numbers in Group F against Tunisia, Mali and Mauritania.

Bafana Bafana rankings for 2021 revealed, supporters share mixed opinions

Bafana Bafana's failure to qualify for the 2021 African Cup of Nations and the 2022 FIFA World Cup have proven costly.

The team's standing on FIFA as well as CAF's rankings remained unmoved through the whole of 2021, as a result.

As reported by Sports Brief, this was despite winning a trophy and boasting an impressive win-draw-loss ratio.