Anderlecht and Standard to Lose Key Players to AFCON 2015
Belgian giants Anderlecht and Standard Liège are set to be impacted by the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations, as several of their African internationals have been called up to represent their national teams in the tournament taking place in Equatorial Guinea from January 17 to February 8.
For Anderlecht, Frank Acheampong could make a notable return to the Ghanaian national team after more than a year away. The winger is included in new coach Avram Grant’s provisional 31-man squad. If selected in the final list, he will join Group C competition against Senegal, South Africa, and Algeria—arguably the tournament’s toughest group.
Other Anderlecht players potentially heading to AFCON include:
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Ibrahima Conté (Guinea)
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Gohi Bi Zoro Cyriac (Ivory Coast)
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Mulopo Kudimbana and Chancel Mbemba (both DR Congo)
On the Standard Liège side, Eyong Enoh has been retained in Cameroon’s 24-man preliminary squad, despite being suspended domestically in Belgium until February 6. Cameroon is grouped with Ivory Coast, Guinea, and Mali in Group D.
Both Belgian clubs are expected to feel the absence of these key players during the heart of the domestic season, with final 23-man national team lists to be confirmed after each team’s training camp.
