The 2023 Africa Cup of Nations could have a major impact on the Premier League at the start of 2024 as a host of star names join up with their national sides.
The prospect of a mid-season international tournament is never popular for club teams with the 2022 FIFA World Cup forcing a historic pause to the European club calendar due to the finals being staged in Qatar’s winter in November and December last year.
However, the schedule of AFCON places the competition in January in the majority of years in which it has taken place, with the Europe’s domestic football impacted as a result.
The 2023 version (played in 2024) will run for just over a month and supporters of Premier League teams will be hoping for an early return for their star names.
One of those is Manchester United goalkeeper Andre Onana, who has been named in the Cameroon squad for the finals. His club teammate, Sofyan Amrabat, will also be at AFCON, representing Morocco.
The blow of losing Onana for a prolonged period was softened after United and Cameroon came to an agreement that would allow him to stay with his club a little longer before journeying to the Ivory Coast for the tournament. However, he is likely to miss several club games if his country perform well.
MORE: Where is FIFA World Cup 2026? Host countries, cities for next men’s tournament
When is Andre Onana back from AFCON?
Onana was named in the Cameroon squad for the Africa Cup of Nations, held in the Ivory Coast. His side will face Guinea, Senegal and Gambia in Group C, with those games running from January 15, 2024 to January 23, 2024.
Should Cameroon progress all the way to the final, Onana will not return to Man United until after that game on February 11, 2024.
When is the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations?
The Africa Cup of Nations starts on January 13, 2024, with the opening match between tournament hosts Ivory Coast and Guinea-Bissau. The tournament runs all the way to the final on February 11, 2024.
The AFCON includes six groups of four teams (A-F) with the top two automatically qualifying for the Round of 16 stage.
Those 12 teams will be joined by the four best-performing third-placed nations from the six groups, with criteria based on head-to-head results between teams and secondly head-to-head goal difference.
How many Man United games will Andre Onana miss?
Onana was included in the final Cameroon squad for the tournament after being recalled by head coach Rigobert Song.
The goalkeeper controversially announced his international retirement during the 2022 World Cup following a fallout with Song over tactics in Qatar, but the pair have since put aside their differences.
FIFA is yet to confirm a formal date for players to be released by their clubs and Cameroon have scheduled pre-AFCON friendlies against Equatorial Guinea and Zambia on January 8 and 9 respectively.
Cameroon have been placed in Group C alongside defending champions Senegal, Guinea and Gambia. Their full group-stage schedule is listed below.
Match Date Cameroon vs. Guinea January 15 Senegal vs. Cameroon January 19 Gambia vs. Cameroon January 23
United face Wigan Athletic in the FA Cup Third Round on January 8 and a home Premier League game against Tottenham on January 14. While Onana was initially expected to miss both matches, he is now set to be available until after the Spurs match following discussions between the club and Cameroon’s football federation. As per The Athletic’s David Ornstein, an “amicable agreement” was reached whereby Onana will be able to play at Old Trafford before flying out to the Ivory Coast.
The Premier League takes a two-week break from January 15 to 28, and United will not return to league action until February 1, with a possible FA Cup Fourth Round on January 27-28.
If Cameroon are eliminated at the group stages, Onana will not now miss any United matches, but the picture is more complicated if they progress into the knockouts.
United have three Premier League matches on the schedule from February 1 to 11 and Onana’s availability will depend on how Cameroon fare at the tournament.
Man United fixture Competition Date Onana status Wigan Athletic vs. Man United FA Cup January 8 Likely absent due to friendlies Man United vs. Tottenham Premier League January 14 Absent for Cameroon vs. Guinea on Jan 15 TBC FA Cup January 27-28 Available if Cameroon go out in group stages Wolves vs. Man United Premier League February 1 Absent if Cameroon reach quarterfinals Man United vs. West Ham Premier League February 4 Absent if Cameroon reach semifinals Aston Villa vs. Man United Premier League February 11 Absent if Cameroon reach final
Who will replace Andre Onana for Man United during AFCON?
United will be looking to reduce the impact of losing Onana regardless of the length of his absence for AFCON.
Despite his mixed start to life at United, the former Inter Milan keeper has been ever present, completing every game across all competitions since the start of 2023/24.
The most likely candidate to step in as cover is Turkey international Altay Bayindir who is still waiting for his United debut since joining from Fenerbahce in September.
Bayindir will be an experienced alternative for manager Erik ten Hag and he is expected to get the nod over Tom Heaton and Radek Vitek.
2023 Africa Cup of Nations schedule, dates
Hosts Ivory Coast kick off the opening fixture against Guinea-Bissau on January 13 in Abidjan.
The Round of 16 starts on January 27, with the quarterfinal and semifinals beginning on February 2 and 7 respectively.
Round Date Group Stage January 13-24, 2024 Round of 16 January 27-30, 2024 Quarterfinal February 2-3, 2024 Semifinal February 7, 2024 Third place playoff February 10, 2024 Final February 11, 2024
>>> Read full article>>>
Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source : Sporting News – https://www.sportingnews.com/us/soccer/news/andre-onana-afcon-schedule-man-united-games-missed-africa-cup/b1b3386e5e9c11ffd1b2d6a8
