19/12/2025

SPORTS FRIDAY | DEC 19, 2025

30

How will Afcon affect Premier League teams? PREMIER LEAGUE sides are preparing for their most intense spell of the season over the festive period, but many squads will be depleted by the Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon). The tournament, hosted by Morocco, runs from Dec 21 until Jan 18 meaning clubs could be missing their African stars for six League matches plus the FA Cup third round. However, the disruption for some could provide an opportunity for others with leaders Arsenal among six clubs without any players departing. Here’s a looks at who is participating and what the impact could be on the English top flight. Who has been called up? Mohamed Salah is the marquee Premier League name headed for Morocco, but his absence may not hurt Liverpool quite as much as previous versions of the Afcon. The 33-year-old will be joined by Manchester City’s Omar Marmoush as seven-time winners Egypt aim to end their wait since 2010 to lift the trophy. Bryan Mbeumo will spearhead Cameroon’s challenge for a sixth title on the back of an impressive start to his Manchester United career. Crystal Palace and Everton will miss the talents of Senegal duo Ismaila Sarr and Iliman Ndiaye. However, the highest scoring African in the Premier League this season, Bournemouth’s Antoine Semenyo, is not departing as Ghana did not qualify. Who is most affected? Sunderland are off to the best start by a promoted team to the Premier League in nearly 20 years, but are set to be the worst hit over the next month. The Black Cats are set to lose wingers Chemsdine Talbi (Morocco) and Bertrand Traore (Burkina Faso), fullback Reinildo (Mozambique), Senegal midfielder Habib Diarra and DR Congo pair Arthur Masuaku and Noah Sadiki. Regis Le Bris’ side are unbeaten at the Stadium of Light this season, however the impact of a depleted Sunderland could affect the title race as they host second-placed Manchester City on Jan 1. Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim also faces major changes to the right side of his attack just as the Red Devils were beginning to flow going forward. As well as Mbeumo, Amad Diallo will leave as part of the Ivory Coast squad, while defender Noussair Mazraoui will expect to go far in the tournament with hosts and favourites Morocco. Fulham will also lose three players in Nigerian trio Alex Iwobi, Calvin Bassey Despite the shift to an earlier start of the Afcon, which takes it fully into the Christmas and new year Premier League schedule, the impact on the majority should be minimal. Six clubs will lose no players: Arsenal, Aston Villa, Bournemouth, Chelsea, Leeds and Newcastle. Manchester City duo Marmoush and Rayan Ait-Nouri have both just made two Premier League starts all season. Salah is Liverpool’s only departure, while Mali’s Yves Bissouma is yet to play for Tottenham under Thomas Frank. AFP and Samuel Chukwueze. Who is least affected?

Smiley Miley

Howe all praise for Lewis’ makeshift rightback role in Carabao Cup win

Ű BY REBECCA JOHNSON

E DDIE HOWE was pleased to see Lewis Miley “rewarded” with a match-winning goal as Newcastle clinched a 2-1 Carabao Cup quarterfinal win over Fulham. Yoane Wissa opened his account for the Tynesiders in the 10th minute, but Sasa Lukic headed the Cottagers level six minutes later. The game looked destined for penalties before 19-year-old Miley sent holders Newcastle back into the semifinals, heading home two minutes into stoppage time from Sandro Tonali’s corner. Miley’s winner came after the midfielder operated as a makeshift right-back and Howe believes the teenager’s versatility shows he has a “bright future”. “The goal is for him really. Lewy’s always level-headed and calm. When I told him this morning ‘I’m going to play you at right-back’ his sort of reaction was typical Lewy, ‘OK’ and nodded his head,” Howe said. “It was one training session today where we talked through what we wanted him to do. The fact he did it for the team and did it in such a good way, I think you get rewarded for that and his goal, I think, is that. “I think he has got goals in him, especially aerially. See him score at Leverkusen, big goal, and a big goal today. “He’s six foot four, should contribute, but I think that is part of his game that will only get better, his physicality, and you can see his technical quality, so such a bright future.” Miley’s move into defence came after Lewis Hall was not named in the squad – with Howe confirming the full-back felt some tightness in his hamstring – and there was a further blow to an already stretched backline with Tino Livramento forced off in the second half. Howe’s side face a semifinal clash with Manchester City as they look to retain the trophy. “Whoever we were going to get was going to be difficult,” Howe said. “I think Manchester City is probably the most Palace boss Glasner offers hope of contract renewal

Newcastle’s Yoane Wissa (right) challenges Fulham’s Kenny Tete during yesterday’s Carabao Cup quarterfinal match at St. James’ Park. – REUTERSPIC

difficult game we ever have to prepare for. I think they’re an outstanding team. “But we’ve beaten them once this season and that was a memorable win for us, so we look forward to the game when it comes around.” Fulham boss Marco Silva was disappointed to see their cup run come to an end in such a way. Silva said: “A difficult one to take. To lose the way we lost in the last moments of the game is very difficult for us in a competition we were in and wanted to be playing the semifinals next month.

“Better first half performance-wise for us, better first half than the second. First half we conceded an early goal which was a bit unlucky. “The reaction was good, good goal from ourselves and we matched clear the game in the first half. “We had one or two good moments, but not great chances second half, really, and not very many dangerous moments. “Even so, the way we lost the game from a set piece in the last moments of the game is a very difficult one to take.” – The Independent

’United is getting closer to attacking football’

Ű BY EDWARD ELLIOT

atmosphere. That’s why we pushed it back.” Palace have reportedly drawn up a list of potential replace ments as Glasner, who led the club to FA Cup glory last term, enters the final six months of his deal. “(There is) no time for distrac tion,“ said the 51-year-old, whose side have already played 26 games this season. I just men tioned the schedule, there’s just no time and believe me I’m never thinking about my future right at the moment. “It’s not important right now. As soon as we will take a decision, number one the players will hear it and number two you (the media) will hear it.” Glasner intends to name a completely different starting XI for the match against Leeds. The former Eintracht Frankfurt boss said he has only 16 senior players available and will hand opportu nities to some of the club’s acad emy players. Attacking midfielder Daichi Kamada faces “at least eight to 10 weeks” on the sidelines with the hamstring issue he sustained dur ing Sunday’s 3-0 defeat to Manchester City. – The Independent

Ű BY IAN PARKER

CRYSTAL PALACE boss Oliver Glasner says talks over a potential new contract have been put on hold due to his side’s hectic fix ture list. The Austrian, whose existing deal expires in the summer, con tinues to be linked with other clubs, including some of the Eagles’ Premier League rivals. Palace host Finnish champi ons KuPS in the Conference League overnight before travel ling to Leeds for a top-flight match just 48 hours later and then playing away to Arsenal in the Carabao Cup quarterfinals on Wednesday. Glasner insists ongoing specu lation about his future is not a dis traction and claims there is cur rently no time to hold detailed conversations with chairman Steve Parish because of the packed schedule. He said: “When should I talk about my contract? We said, ‘let’s push it backwards when we have time’ because it’s not between three meetings which take 10 minutes. “We want to do it in a relaxed atmosphere, and right at the moment there is no relaxed

try to win the games is so important for the fans. “Of course they are desperate to win, but also I feel that they are des perate to be inspired when they come to Old Trafford. “Monday was inspiring, I think, also because of Bournemouth. But in the end, that’s feeling of frustration of not winning the game.” The improvements in attack are the result of United’s summer invest ments paying off, but problems remain at the back. United have kept only one clean sheet all season – only bottom side Wolves have fewer – and only six in 42 games under Amorim. Bryan Mbuemo and Amad Diallo will now join Noussair Mazraoui on duty at the Africa Cup of Nations, while Matthijs De Ligt and Harry Maguire are out injured and Casemiro will be suspended for Monday’s (12.30am Malaysian time) trip to Aston Villa. “We’ll be ready for the challenge,” Amorim said. “We already knew a lot of teams are going to lose players, a lot of teams have injuries. “We just need to go for the next game with the responsibility to fight and win the game.” – The Independent

RUBEN AMORIM believes Monday’s chaotic 4-4 draw with Bournemouth shows his Manchester United team are getting closer to the club’s tradi tion of attacking football, but knows they must learn to close out games. United poured forward in the opening 45 minutes, having 17 attempts at goal and a non-penalty xG of 2.49 at the break – the highest of any side in the first half of a Premier League match this season. But having failed to fully capital ise, leading only 2-1 after Casemiro’s header in stoppage-time, they fell behind to two quick-fire Bournemouth goals early in the sec ond half. United rallied once again, scoring two in three minutes through Bruno Fernandes and Matheus Cunha before Eli Junior Kroupi levelled late on for Bournemouth. The hosts did not get the win but there could be no complaints about the entertainment on offer at Old Trafford. “If you understand a little bit, if you follow the club like I follow the Premier League for so long, you have not just the duty to try to win the games,” Amorim said. “The way you