Salah, Mane Top List of African Stars Set to Miss EPL Action in January Due to AFCON Duty

• Several Premier League clubs will have to cope without their African stars when the Africa Cup of Nations kicks off on January 9
• Liverpool, Arsenal, and Crystal Palace are set to be the biggest casualties of the African spectacle
• Clubs like Leeds United and Norwich City will not be too adversely affected as they do not have African stars they depend on in the league

A number of Premier League teams face a real possibility of losing their star players during the winter as the gruelling schedule in England collides with the anticipated Africa Cup of Nations spectacle.

The likes of Jurgen Klopp, Mikel Arteta, Brendan Rodgers, Patrick Vieira and Claudio Ranieri are set to be the ones with the biggest headache towards the end of the year as their teams are heavily reliant on their African stars, who will be on AFCON duty.

The Africa Cup of nations was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic and wet weather concerns.

Marcus Thuram player profile: Borussia, injury, contracts

Football

It was rescheduled to take place from January 9 to February 6, 2022, with Cameroon the host nation.

For some Premier League clubs, it is not about the number of Premier League players who will be absent but the nature of the players.

Liverpool, for instance, will only be without three players if they are released for international duty, but these three players are Mohammed Salah, Sadio Mane, and Naby Keita.

Arsenal is another club that is likely to suffer during that time, as Arteta’s side is set to be without Pierre Emerick Aubameyang, Nicolas Pepe, and Thomas Partey who will join up with the Gabon, Ivory Coast, and Ghana squads.

For Man City, they will be without Riyad Mahrez, who plays for current holders of the AFCON title Algeria.

Legit.ng takes a closer look at all African players who will be out of action in the Premier League due to international duty.

AFCON 2022: start date, fixtures, groups, teams to watch out for, venues

Football

Arsenal: Thomas Partey (Ghana), Mohamed Elneny (Egypt), Pierre Emerick Aubameyang (Gabon), Nicolas Pepe (Ivory Coast)

Aston Villa: Mahmoud Trezeguet (Egypt), Bertrand Traore (Burkina Faso), Marvelous Nakamba (Zimbabwe)

Brentford: Julian Jeanvier (Guinea), Frank Onyeka (Nigeria), Tariqe Fosu-Henry (Ghana),

Brighton: Yves Bissouma (Mali)

Burnley: Maxwel Cornet (Ivory Coast)

Chelsea: Edouard Mendy (Senegal), Hakim Ziyech (Morocco)

Crystal Palace: Cheikhou Kouyate (Senegal), Jeffrey Schlupp (Ghana), Jordan Ayew (Ghana), Wilfried Zaha (Ivory Coast)

Everton: Jean-Philippe Gbamin (Ivory Coast), Alex Iwobi (Nigeria)

Leeds United: None

Leicester City: Daniel Amartey (Ghana), Nampalys Mendy (Senegal), Wilfred Ndidi (Nigeria), Kelechi Iheanacho (Nigeria)

Liverpool: Mohamed Salah (Egypt), Naby Keita (Guinea), Sadio Mane (Senegal)

Manchester City: Riyad Mahrez (Algeria)

Manchester United: Eric Bailly (Ivory Coast), Amad Diallo (Ivory Coast)

Newcastle United: None

Norwich City: None

Southampton: Moussa Djenepo (Mali), Mohammed Salisu (Ghana),

Tottenham Hotspur: None

A look at Bafana Bafana coaches over the years: Who was the most successful?

Football

Watford: Peter Etebo (Nigeria), William Troost-Ekong (Nigeria), Adam Masina (Morocco), Ismaila Sarr (Senegal), Emmanuel Dennis (Nigeria)

Wolves: Romain Saiss (Morocco)

Klopp speaks on similarities between Ronaldo and Salah

Earlier, Legit.ng reported that Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has spoken about the similarities between Mohamed Salah and Cristiano Ronaldo ahead of his side's trip to Old Trafford to face Man United on Sunday, October 24.

Ronaldo and Salah have both been in good forms for their respective clubs and both are expected to have significant impacts on Sunday's game.

While Liverpool have enjoyed a solid start to their 2021/22 Premier League campaign being the only team yet to lose this season, Man United have struggled with their performances in recent games.

The Red Devils had Ronaldo to thank as his late winner against Atalanta in the Champions League helped his side end a run of three games without a win.