Sunday Mirror (Northern Ireland)
PREM CLUBS FEAR LOSING STAR MEN EARLIER TO AFRICA CUP OF NATIONS
PREMIER LEAGUE clubs are waiting to hear whether they will lose their players to the Africa Cup of Nations earlier than first feared.
The mid-season tournament in Cameroon is currently scheduled to start on Sunday, January 9.
And many clubs believe they will be able to keep hold of their star men for the Premier League weekend prior to that date.
However, it has now emerged that CAF Champions League holders Al Ahly are ready to throw a spanner in the works.
Egyptian club Al Ahly are lobbying the African football governing body to instead kick off the AFCON on January 3 – in order to aid their hopes at the upcoming Club World Cup.
That competition is slated to start on February 3, three days prior to the current scheduled Africa Cup of Nations final.
And that would likely mean the reigning African champions heading to the United Arab Emirates without several key men.
A number of Prem clubs are facing similar blows, though, should a date change go ahead.
Liverpool would be without Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane for their visit to title rivals Chelsea on January 2 – a fixture they are otherwise confident of having both players available for.
Arsenal, meanwhile, would be denied the services of Thomas Partey, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Nicolas Pepe and Mohamed Elneny for a meeting with Manchester City on New Year’s Day. Despite their reservations, clubs are resigned to the fact they have little control over CAF’s decision.
And so they must wait nervously for news of a potential date change that could undermine their season’s aims.