AFCON 2023: Partey, Ndidi, Zaha and Six African Stars to Miss Tournament in Ivory Coast

• AFCON 2023 begins in a week in Ivory Coast
• Some top players will miss the tournament
• Ghana will be without Arsenal's Thomas Partey

The 2023 Africa Cup of Nations will be littered with stars across the continent, from Mohamed Salah of Egypt to Victor Osimhen of Nigeria.

The tournament begins on Saturday, January 13, as Africa takes centre stage in football as the continent looks for a new champion.

However, some big names will also be missing at the tournament for various reasons, while some were shockingly excluded from their teams, others were ruled out by injuries.

Sports Brief looks at the top nine players that will miss AFCON 2023

Bamba Dieng- Senegal

Having helped Senegal win their maiden Africa Cup of Nations title in Cameroon, the Lorient forward was surprisingly excluded from the Teranga Lions team. Dieng was overlooked for the injured Boulaye Dia.

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The former Marseille striker has netted two goals in seven games this season.

Bryan Mbuemo- Cameroon

The Brentford star could have been Cameroon's star player at the competition following his explosive start to life in the English Premier League this season. However, an injury during the game against Brighton ruled him out of the tournament.

Mbuemo had scored seven goals and provided four assists in 15 appearances in the EPL.

Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting - Cameroon

The absence of the Bayern Munich star shocked many across the continent but coach Rigobert Song says he selected the best and the players that fit his style.

Eric Bailly - Cote D'Ivoire

The former Manchester United defender had a turbulent Christmas after going from missing the AFCON squad to seeing his contract terminated at Besiktas. Luckily for the Ivorian, he secured a contract with former club Villareal before New Year. He is one of the former AFCON winners to miss the tournament.

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Thomas Partey - Ghana

The Ghana international will be a big miss for the Black Stars. Thomas Partey has been out with an injury since October, and could not be fit in time for the competition. His future at Arsenal has also been in doubt due to the recurring injury.

Lyle Foster- South Africa

Lyle Foster's omission is purely for medical reasons. Burnley's leading striker had to be excused from the game due to his mental health. Coach Hugo Broos could not afford the risk and had to make his decision from the doctor's report.

Wilfried Zaha - Cote D'Ivoire

The former Crystal Palace attacker was a surprise absentee from the Ivory Coast team. Having been in fine form for the Turkish outfit, it was shocking to see him dropped for the tournament on home soil.

Wilfried Ndidi - Nigeria

Wilfried Ndidi will be a big miss for Nigeria. He has in recent times been the pivot holding the Super Eagles together. Ndidi was named in the final squad but an injury meant he had to be replaced by Alhassan Yussuf.

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Terem Moffi - Nigeria

Nigerians are yet to get the answer for Terem Moffi's exclusion, considering his prolific goal-scoring form for OGC Nice. Coach Jose Peseiro preferred veteran forward Ahmed Musa over the French-based attacker.

Partey dropped from Ghana squad

Earlier, Sports Brief reported that Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey has been dropped from Ghana's squad for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast.

The 30-year-old, who is recovering from an injury he sustained in October last year, failed to return to full fitness for the tournament.

The absence of the ex-Atletico Madrid star is a huge blow for the four-time African champions.