FPL at AFCON: Salah and Mane still around but Nigeria, Algeria and Ghana are out

The African Cup of Nations started on 9th January and ends on 6th February. Although a month-long, the tournament only deprives FPL managers of talent for a maximum of two Gameweeks and those who reach the final are likely to be back in time for the next deadline of Gameweek 24, with games from 8th – 10th February.

Here’s a quick check of how they are all doing:

ELIMINATED (GROUP STAGE)

GHANA – Thomas Partey (Arsenal), Jordan Ayew (Crystal Palace), Daniel Amartey (Leicester)

ALGERIA – Riyad Mahrez (Man City), Said Benrahma (West Ham)

Two surprise early eliminations occurred to Ghana and Algeria, affecting five Premier League stars. Nobody scored, with Jordan Ayew and Daniel Amartey already seen back in domestic action during Gameweek 23. Riyad Mahrez was given a week-long holiday by Pep Guardiola, whilst Said Benrahma didn’t take part in West Ham’s defeat to Man United.

Arsenal’s Thomas Partey flew back last Thursday in time to be a Carabao Cup substitute that night. He entered the field after 74 minutes and still found time to get sent off!

ELIMINATED (ROUND OF 16)

GABON – Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (Arsenal)

NIGERIA – Frank Onyeka (Brentford), Alex Iwobi (Everton), Wilfred Ndidi (Leicester), Kelechi Iheanacho (Leicester), William Troost-Ekong (Watford)

GUINEA – Naby Keita (Liverpool)

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang never actually took part in the tournament, having been sent home from the Gabon squad “to complete further medical examinations” in regards to heart lesions.

A strong Nigeria side won all three group games – including against Egypt – aided by a goal each from Kelechi Iheanacho and William Troost-Ekong. Yet they crashed out in the round of 16 at the hands of Tunisia after Alex Iwobi was sent off.

Liverpool’s Naby Keita scored for Guinea during their Group B defeat to Zimbabwe, although this didn’t prevent them from progressing in second place. They lost 1-0 to Gambia on Monday night, ending their AFCON hopes.

THROUGH TO QUARTER FINALS

BURKINA FASO – Bertrand Traore (Aston Villa)

With no Premier League players representing Tunisia, Gambia or Cameroon, the only known quarter-finalist so far is Aston Villa’s Bertrand Traore. Burkina Faso finished second in Group A and Traore netted against Gabon in the next round, where they eventually won via penalties.

STILL TO PLAY

SENEGAL – Sadio Mane (Liverpool), Edouard Mendy (Chelsea), Nampalys Mendy (Leicester), Ismaila Sarr (Watford), Cheikhou Kouyate (Crystal Palace)

MOROCCO – Imran Louza (Watford), Adam Masina (Watford), Romain Saiss (Wolves)

IVORY COAST – Nicolas Pepe (Arsenal), Wilfried Zaha (Crystal Palace), Maxwel Cornet (Burnley), Eric Bailly (Man United)

EGYPT – Mohamed Salah (Liverpool), Mohamed Elneny (Arsenal), Trezeguet (Aston Villa)

MALI – Yves Bissouma (Brighton), Moussa Djenepo (Southampton)

17 FPL assets are still to know their fate. Senegal topped Group B despite scoring only one goal – a stoppage time winner from Sadio Mane against Zimbabwe. They face Cape Verde tonight, alongside Morocco trio Imran Louza, Adam Masina and Romain Saiss taking on Malawi.

Yves Bissouma and Moussa Djenepo will try to help Mali overcome Equatorial Guinea on Wednesday but the round’s glamorous tie pits Ivory Coast against Egypt.

Two goals from Nicolas Pepe helped the Ivorians top Group E, with contributions from Wilfried Zaha, Maxwel Cornet and Eric Bailly. Meanwhile, Egypt lost to Nigeria but won their other group games 1-0, including a winner from Mohamed Salah.

Many of the 3.2 million managers to have sold Salah over recent weeks will be keen to see how deep Egypt go in this tournament, although Liverpool’s Gameweek 24 match against Leicester is four days after the final.