AFCON 2023: Fiorentina Star M'Bala Nzola Rejects Angola Invite Over Club Commitment

• M'Bala Nzola has declined an invite to play for Angola at AFCON
• The Fiorentina forward was named in his country's final squad
• Nzola helped the Palancas Negras qualify for the tournament

Angola striker, M'Bala Nzola has reportedly rejected an invite for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast next month.

The Fiorentina forward was named in Pedro Goncalves' final squad for the tournament on Monday as the Palancas Negras begin early preparations for the competition.

Despite playing a key role in Angola's qualification for AFCON next year, Nzola will not be part of the team heading to Ivory Coast.

According to Palancas Negras, Nzola rejected the call-up in other to concentrate on his club career in Italy.

This is the second time the player has refused an invite, citing poor logistical arrangements as his reason for missing the final round of games in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.

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The 26-year-old joined the Florence-based club in the summer transfer window after an outstanding season with Spezia, who suffered relegation at the end of the 2022/23 campaign.

Nzola has scored a goal and provided two assists in 16 league games for La Viola and per Transfermarkt, he has also netted two goals in six matches for Angola.

The Southern Africans have been drawn in Group D of the Africa Cup of Nations tournament alongside Algeria, Mauritania, and Burkina Faso.

Angola draw with Ghana in AFCON qualifiers

Sports Brief previously reported that Osman Bukari needed only sixty seconds to score after his introduction in the game against Angola.

The Black Stars conceded early in the second half against the Southern Africans after Reading's Lucas Joao scored from the penalty spot.

The hosts started the game brightly with midfielder, Fredy testing Ghana goalkeeper, Lawrence Ati Zigi from long range after just eight minutes.

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Mourinho and Lukaku red-carded in Fiorentina clash

Sports Brief also previously reported that Romelu Lukaku and Jose were red-carded during Roma's Serie A clash against Fiorentina.

The capital city outfit went into the Sunday cracker with the hope of building on their 2-1 win over Sassuolo in their last top flight clash.

However, Mourinho's charges could only salvage one point at home in a chaotic encounter that saw the match referee show four red cards.