Ranking the African Clubs With Most Players Called Up for AFCON 2023

The 2023 CAF Africa Cup of Nations, hosted in Ivory Coast, has advanced to the semi-final stage where four teams are just two victories away from claiming the trophy.

In the first semi-final, three-time AFCON champions, Nigeria will face off against South Africa, while the second semi-final features hosts, Ivory Coast against DR Congo.

Each of the remaining four teams has previously clinched the AFCON title, with DR Congo having endured the longest drought since their last continental triumph in 1974.

Per Al Jazeera, the tournament is scheduled to come to a close on February 12 with the final match.

Due to its timing overlapping with many club-level competitions, numerous players have had to depart from their clubs to participate in the AFCON.

Sports Brief examines the top seven African clubs with the highest number of players called up for AFCON 2023.

Clubs with most players called up for AFCON 2023

7. Atlético Petróleos de Luanda – 5 players

Atlético Petróleos de Luanda compete in Girabola, which serves as Angola's premier football club competition. Among its roster, players like Eddie Afonso, To Carneiro, and Kinito participated in AFCON 2023, representing Palancas Negras.

With a total of five players left for tournament duty, this posed a significant setback for Petro Atlético, who currently hold the second position in the league, trailing just four points behind the table-toppers, Kabuscorp.

6. Simba Sports Club – 6 players

Simba Sports Club participate in the Tanzanian Premier League, the pinnacle of club football in the East African nation.

The club is actively involved in this season's CAF Champions League and six players from their squad were absent through representing their respective countries in the pursuit of the 2023 AFCON title.

Notably, individuals like Aishi Manula, Mzamiru Yassin, and Kibu Denis represented Tanzania in the tournament.

5. Young Africans Sports Club – 7 players

Young Africans, currently positioned second in the 2023-24 Tanzanian Premier League, sit just ahead of Simba Sports Club and were without seven key players.

Among those who left for the tournament were Stephane Aziz Ki of Burkina Faso and Mali goalkeeper, Djigui Diarra.

Bakari Mwamnyeto, Ibrahim Hamad, Dickson Job, and Mudathir Yahya represented Tanzania on the international stage. Meanwhile, forward Kennedy Musonda offered an attacking threat for Zambia.

4. Orlando Pirates – 7 players

One of the most prominent clubs from South Africa lost up to seven players in the tournament.

Based in Orlando, Soweto, South Africa, Orlando Pirates compete in the South African Premier Division, the country's top-tier league.

Among those on duty at AFCON are Nkosinathi Sibisi, Thabang Monare, Zakhele Lepasa, and Evidence Makgopa for Bafana Bafana.

Richard Ofori was selected as one of the goalkeepers for Ghana, while midfielder, Deon Kavendji joined the Namibia national team's camp.

3. Pyramids Football Club – 9 players

A leading team from the Egyptian Premier League lost a total of nine players. Based in New Cairo, Egypt, the club is currently navigating both the Egyptian Super Cup and the league competition.

Manager, Jaime Pacheco faced the challenge of managing these tournaments without nine key first-team players.

The payers who departed for AFCON 2023 included Blati Toure, Fiston Mayele, Ahmed El Shenawy, Ali Gabr, Ahmed Samy, Mohamed Hamdy, Mohanad Lasheen, and Mostafa Fathi.

2. Al Ahly Sporting Club – 10 players

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Another significant club from the Egyptian Premier League contested the mid-season month without 10 players.

Al Ahly Sporting Club, which competed in the 2023 FIFA Club World Cup, supported their players from a distance since they don't have any competitive matches lined up until at least February 19.

Among the players who departed for Ivory Coast were Ali Maaloul who joined the Tunisia camp, Percy Tau who travelled with South Africa, and Aliou Dieng who represented Mali.

1. Mamelodi Sundowns – 11 players

Mamelodi Sundowns find themselves without 11 of their players, as GOAL reported.

The Brazilians compete in the South African Premier Division, similar to Orlando Pirates. Their last match was on December 30, 2023, and their next fixture is scheduled for February 14.

Therefore, the absence of the 11 departed players shouldn't be a significant concern, except for any potential injuries they might sustain during the 2023 AFCON tournament.

Only Peter Shalulile joined Namibia, while the remaining 10 players are part of the South African camp.

Nwabali ready for Bafana Bafana

Sports Brief previously highlighted Nigerian goalkeeper, Stanley Nwabali's assertive remarks before their AFCON semi-final against South Africa.

The Super Eagles will face Bafana Bafana in the quest for a spot in this year's continental showpiece final, with both semi-finals set for February 7.