With the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) just around the corner, Premier League sides should be bracing for the storm of an incoming player exodus. The tournament, first time to be hosted in Morocco, opens on December 21 and goes through January 18, 2025. For clubs, they need to have their players released by December 15 to guarantee they’re acclimated and prepared for the competition.
Out of all the teams impacted, Sunderland will be the club most significantly thinned by AFCON. Sunderland has a hard road in front of it. They have to go up against formidable adversaries like Manchester City, Brighton and Crystal Palace in the cup itself.
Timeline of AFCON 2025
AFCON 2025 will play out over the course of nearly two months, with some important dates to know as the tournament moves along. These typical round robin group stages will be played out between December 21 and December 31. This will be followed by the Last 16 matches between January 3 and January 6. The quarter-finals on January 9 and 10 will feed into the semi-finals on January 14.
The final match on January 18 will cap a lively five week tournament in host cities across Morocco. Looking to cheer on your team in the third place play-off on January 17? This play-off round provides teams with one last chance to secure a spot in the illustrious tournament.
Players need to arrive in North Africa by December 15. Clubs are left with an incredibly short window to prepare their squads. This new and early release date creates difficulty for squads looking to field their key players, who will not be available during these critical FIFA dates.
Sunderland’s Challenges
Sunderland’s predicament is most alarming, as they head into crucial fixtures against established Premier League clubs with one hand tied behind their back. Competing against Manchester City, Brighton, and Crystal Palace during AFCON could hinder their performance and affect their standings in the league.
Sunderland, given the recent exodus of players, are in a tricky position. This will force them to continue to make strategic and rotational adjustments to remain competitive, even with a shorthanded team.
“No, with everything, They are going to play the next game [at Molineux] and that is the only thing I care [about].” – Ruben Amorim
This telling quote illustrates the extreme prioritization that high-stakes managers like Amorim keep on potential future matchups. They’re still very deep, despite missing some of their mainstays to international duty.
Aston Villa Faces Tough Fixtures
On top of Sunderland’s misfortunes, Aston Villa has one of the most difficult schedules during AFCON. The team has some very important games in front of them. They’ll have a hard time if they do fill the gaps from the players called up for national duty. This challenge comes at a time when every point in the league is vital for teams looking to improve their standings or avoid relegation.
The pressure mounts as Aston Villa’s coaching staff must devise strategies that can compensate for absent players while still competing against teams that may have their full roster available.
As the tournament draws nearer, clubs across the Premier League must assess how they will cope without their star players. AFCON has a huge influence on team chemistry and performance. Teams that are the most agile will come out on top during this stormy season.
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