“Portugal vs Morocco match action” © soccer.ru / Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.
As the Africa Cup of Nations 2025 draws closer, final squad announcements across the continent have confirmed a familiar reality: several high-profile players will not take part in the tournament, despite strong reputations or recent visibility at club level.
Injuries, fitness concerns, loss of form, eligibility issues, and tactical choices have all played a role in shaping these omissions. From established European-based stars to experienced internationals, AFCON 2025 will be played without a number of names fans expected to see in Morocco.
Here is a classified overview of the most notable absentees, by national team, and the reasons behind their exclusion.
A. Ivory Coast
Nicolas Pépé
Despite strong performances with Villarreal and visible influence at club level, Nicolas Pépé has been left out of the Ivory Coast squad. The technical staff indicated that the decision was based on a broader evaluation process, taking into account sporting and non-sporting factors. In a highly competitive attacking setup, Pépé ultimately missed the cut.
Christantus Uche
Christantus Uche also failed to secure a place. Limited playing time since his arrival in England and a lack of consistent starts weighed against him in a midfield group where match rhythm was a decisive criterion.
B. Nigeria
Kelechi Iheanacho
Nigeria opted not to include Kelechi Iheanacho due to ongoing fitness concerns. Although he recently returned from injury, medical staff judged that he was not yet at full physical capacity, leading to a precautionary exclusion.
Victor Boniface
Once a key figure in Bayer Leverkusen’s success, Victor Boniface has struggled to regain form following injuries and an unconvincing loan spell. With no goals in his recent club appearances and stiff competition in attack, he was left out of the Super Eagles’ final list.
C. Cameroon
Vincent Aboubakar
The absence of Vincent Aboubakar has generated significant debate. Widely regarded as one of Cameroon’s most experienced forwards, his exclusion has been linked to internal dynamics rather than purely sporting reasons, although no official explanation has been provided.
Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting
Despite productive club performances, Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting did not make the squad. His reduced involvement with the national team in recent years and a shift toward different attacking profiles appear to have influenced the decision.
André Onana
André Onana’s situation remains one of the most complex. Following reported tensions with the coaching staff, his name was absent from the initial list. Uncertainty surrounding his status reflects broader instability within Cameroon’s preparation for the tournament.
D. Morocco (Host Nation)
Hakim Ziyech
Morocco will host AFCON 2025 without Hakim Ziyech. Although he returned to club football with Wydad Casablanca, registration constraints prevent him from playing until January, making him unavailable for the tournament.
Sofiane Boufal
A familiar figure in recent tournaments, Sofiane Boufal was not retained for this edition. Despite his experience, competition in attacking positions and questions around consistency led the technical staff to explore other options.
Sofiane Diop
Sofiane Diop, who recently made his international debut, also misses out. His inclusion in previous gatherings suggested growing integration, but the depth of Morocco’s midfield ultimately worked against him.
Amine Adli
Amine Adli’s limited playing time at club level reduced his chances of selection. In an attacking pool crowded with in-form profiles, his lack of recent impact proved decisive.
E. DR Congo
Yoane Wissa
Yoane Wissa has been left out after returning late from a long injury absence. With insufficient time to regain full match fitness, DR Congo opted for attackers already in competitive rhythm.
Big Names Absent, Expectations Intact
While the absence of these players will inevitably fuel debate, AFCON 2025 remains packed with quality and depth. These omissions underline how selection standards have tightened across African football, where physical readiness, tactical fit, and recent form now outweigh reputation alone.
As Morocco prepares to host the continent’s flagship tournament, the spotlight will shift quickly from who is missing to who seizes the opportunity. History suggests that AFCON often belongs not to the most famous names, but to those ready at the right moment.
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