Bundesliga players at the Africa Cup of Nations
The Bundesliga will miss some important players during the month-long Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon. The biennial tournament involving 24 nations takes place from January 9 to February 7.
Bayern Munich – Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting & Bouna Sarr
The Bundesliga leaders are without Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting (pictured) and Bouna Sarr due to the AFCON. The duo play for two of the tournament favorites and could be away for up to four weeks. Hosts Cameroon have won the title five times and hope to win it for the first time on home soil with Choupo-Moting’s help. Senegal are chasing their first title ever with Sarr.
Bayer Leverkusen – Odilon Kossounou & Edmond Tapsoba
Leverkusen lose defenders Odilon Kossounou (pictured) of Ivory Coast and Edmond Tapsoba of Burkina Faso. Kossounou has become a key player for the Elephants since making his debut in 2020. They aim to win their third African title, while Burkina Faso chase their first.
Hoffenheim – Diadie Samassékou
Just one Hoffenheim player is at the Africa Cup of Nations, Mali's Diadie Samassekou (above). Defender Kevin Akpoguma, a former Germany U20 captain, was not selected by Nigeria after making his debut in 2020. Kasim Adams Nuhu was also not considered by his national team Ghana.
RB Leipzig – Amadou Haidara and Ilaix Moriba
The Red Bulls sent midfielders Amadou Haidara (pictured) of Mali and Ilaix Moriba of Guinea to the AFCON. Haidara made his international debut in 2017 and will assist in the perennial West African underdogs' efforts to reach the final in Yaounde on February 7. Moriba recently changed his allegiance from Spain to Guinea, where he was born.
Union Berlin – Taiwo Awoniyi
Union Berlin are losing leading goalscorer Taiwo Awoniyi (pictured above, right) to the Africa Cup of Nations, where he will play for three-time champions Nigeria. With nine goals in 17 Bundesliga games before the winter break, Awoniyi will be sorely missed by the capital club.
Cologne – Ellyes Skhiri
Skhiri returned from his last game on international duty in October with an injury that ruled him out for Cologne until the winter break. He is back now as a key player for Tunisia, who are looking to add to their only AFCON title win in 2004.
Eintracht Frankfurt – Aymen Barkok
For a player who’s had a troubled season so far, the Africa Cup of Nations could not have come at a better time. Aymen Barkok is a part of a Morocco squad hoping to win their second title after 1976. The Frankfurt native has fallen out of favor at Eintracht Frankfurt and could be looking to win over new suitors in Cameroon.
Borussia Mönchengladbach – Ramy Bensebaini
Mönchengladbach's Ramy Bensebaini is in Cameroon to help defend Algeria's Africa Cup of Nations title. The only African champion in the Bundesliga, Bensebaini played in six of the Desert Foxes' seven games when they won the 2019 championship in Cairo.
VfB Stuttgart – Omar Marmoush
Omar Marmoush only made his Egypt debut in 2021 but is already part of coach Carlos Queiroz's plans as the Pharaohs fight for an eighth Africa Cup of Nations title. Stuttgart could be without their on-loan striker for four weeks if the Egyptians, a pre-tournament favorite, go as far as the final on February 7.
Paderborn – Jamilu Collins
The Bundesliga 2 defender will be part of the Nigerian squad at the tournament. It is the second time Collins will make an appearance at the AFCON after finishing in third place with the Super Eagles in 2019.
St. Pauli – Daniel Kofi Kyereh
Daniel Kofi Kyere was first called up to Ghana's national team in September 2021 for their World Cup qualifier against Ethiopia. He will be a big miss for second-tier side St. Pauli, who are chasing promotion to the top division of the Bundesliga. He scored five goals and nine assists before the Bundesliga 2 began its winter break.