The 2025 Africa Cup of Nations is upon us, with the continent’s best descending upon Morocco in search of glory.
Serial winners Egypt, Cameroon and Nigeria are present, alongside other regional giants like the Ivory Coast, Senegal and Algeria.
However, four-time champions Ghana were a huge casualty in qualifying. What’s more, many of the teams heading to the tournament have left some huge names out of their squad for various reasons — including injury, agreements with clubs or loss of form.
With the latter in mind, here are 10 of the biggest names missing out on Afcon, alongside a clutch of honourable mentions.
1. Yoane Wissa
- Nation: DR Congo
- Club: Newcastle United
Wissa only played twice for DR Congo during qualifying before injury ruled him out. He did, of course, return from that particular ankle problem and has notched three goals and four assists across six caps in World Cup qualifying and friendlies.
However, the 29-year-old is only just starting to see the field for new club Newcastle United following a serious knee injury, and has thus been left out of DR Congo’s Afcon squad — Real Betis veteran Cedric Bakambu is most likely to lead the line for the Leopards in his absence.
2. Andre Onana
- Nation: Cameroon
- Club: Trabzonspor (on loan from Manchester United)
Cameroon head to Afcon in complete disarray, with internal leadership battles leaving the five-time winners without direction right on the eve of the tournament.
Andre Onana is the major casualty of this particular civil war, left out of a squad that has been government-approved, such is the seriousness of Cameroon’s current situation.
It’s a huge blow for Onana, who joined Trabzonspor on loan from Manchester United specifically to get the minutes needed to secure his place at Afcon — keeping three clean sheets in 11 Super Lig games to see Trabzonspor second only to Galatasaray in the table.
3. Frank Anguissa
- Nation: Cameroon
- Club: Napoli
Sticking with Cameroon, Frank Anguissa is another big miss, but for very different reasons.
The former Fulham man has been a revelation for Napoli since his arrival in the summer of 2022, helping the Partenopei to two Serie A titles.
Anguissa started this season in style, too, registering four goals and two assists in 11 league appearances, but he picked up a hamstring injury in November and isn’t expected to be fit again until late January at the earliest.
4. Hakim Ziyech
- Nation: Morocco
- Club: Wydad AC
After five months as a free agent, Hakim Ziyech returned to his homeland in October with Wydad AC, but he’s yet to make a single appearance as he’s ineligible to play until January.
Ziyech hasn’t played for Morocco since September 2024, and he’ll have to watch on once again as his nation go in search of hosting glory.
Morocco won’t be short of quality, however, with the likes of Achraf Hakimi, Brahim Diaz and Noussair Mazraoui making a squad that are the favourites of many.
5. Evann Guessand
- Nation: Ivory Coast
- Club: Aston Villa
Evann Guessand has looked promising in the Europa League, notching two goals in six appearances, including the opener in a 2-1 away win at Basel last time out.
However, in the Premier League, it’s been slow going for the forward since he joined Aston Villa from Nice, with just one assist to show from 11 games.
His loss of form has seen him slide down the pecking order for the Ivory Coast, who only included him as a reserve player in their squad, meaning he’s almost certain to miss out.
6. Eric-Maxim Choupo-Moting
- Nation: Cameroon
- Club: New York Red Bulls
Back to Cameroon, Eric-Maxim Choupo-Moting has been a mainstay for the Indomitable Lions for years now, registering 20 goals in 70 caps to date.
The 36-year-old has just enjoyed a fantastic season in MLS with the New York Red Bulls, notching 19 goals and five assists in 38 appearances across all competitions.
However, Choupo-Moting has barely featured at national team level since leaving Europe, and the former Bayern Munich, PSG and Stoke man will have to watch on as Bryan Mbeumo leads the line.
7. Simon Adingra
- Nation: Ivory Coast
- Club: Sunderland
There’s no shortage of quality in the Ivory Coast’s forward line, which boasts the likes of Sebastien Haller, Amad Diallo and Wilfried Zaha.
However, Sunderland‘s Simon Adingra is one player who hasn’t made the cut, despite playing a key role in their title win two years ago. His lack of game time since arriving at the Stadium of Light cannot have helped, with Adingra starting just four Premier League matches, making nine appearances overall, and failing to register a goal involvement.
8. Victor Boniface
- Nation: Nigeria
- Club: Werder Bremen (on loan from Bayer Leverkusen)
Victor Boniface was such a key part of Bayer Leverkusen’s unbeaten domestic double and Europa League final run two years ago, netting 21 goals that season.
However, the 24-year-old has been plagued by injuries since, while his form has dropped off a cliff on loan at Werder Bremen this season, failing to score in 11 appearances so far.
Boniface is also yet to score in 13 caps for Nigeria, with Victor Osimhen an immovable object ahead of him.
9. Nicolas Pepe
- Nation: Ivory Coast
- Club: Villarreal
Nicolas Pepe was named La Liga Player of the Month for August, while he’s first among Villarreal players this season for chances created (26) and take-ons completed (25). Factor in that he has 11 goals and four assists in 50 caps for the Ivory Coast, and you’d think he would be one of the first names in their squad.
However, coach Emerse Fae said ‘many elements on and off the pitch’ were taken into consideration before ultimately choosing not to take Pepe to Morocco.
10. Amine Adli
- Nation: Morocco
- Club: Bournemouth
Not quite as prominent as Boniface, Amine Adli was still an important figure in Leverkusen’s glorious 2023/24 campaign.
Things have not gone well, however, since he joined Bournemouth in the summer, clocking up just 477 minutes across all competitions over 13 appearances, to the tune of one goal and zero assists.
Ultimately, the likes of Diaz, Chemsidine Talbi and Ismael Saibari were too good to displace.
Honourable mentions: Vincent Aboubakar, Cheick Doucoure, Ola Aina, Taiwo Awoniyi, Mohamed Diomande, Kelechi Iheanacho, Sofiane Boufal