Africa Cup of Nations 2027: Mahrez and Mendy among stars to miss qualifiers

The Africa Cup of Nations 2027 qualifiers will be played without several players who have shaped African football in recent years, after Riyad Mahrez, Edouard Mendy, Aissa Mandi, Jean Michael Seri, Seko Fofana and Inaki Williams all ended their international careers in 2026.

Their departures signal the start of a new era for Algeria, Senegal, Cote d’Ivoire and Ghana, with younger players expected to take on greater responsibility.

Algeria will be without both Mahrez and Mandi, two members of the team that won the country’s second Africa Cup of Nations title in 2019.

Mahrez made 119 appearances for his country and scored 40 goals. He was one of the key figures in Algeria’s victorious campaign in Egypt, including a memorable late free-kick against Nigeria in the semi-final.

Mandi, who won more than 110 caps, was also part of that title-winning side. Algeria will now look increasingly to players such as Mohamed Amoura, Ibrahim Maza, Amine Gouiri and Anis Hadj Moussa.

Senegal must replace Edouard Mendy, the goalkeeper who helped the country win the first Africa Cup of Nations in its history in 2021. Mendy played a decisive role in the final against Egypt as Senegal claimed the trophy.

Cote d’Ivoire will also begin the qualifiers without Seri and Fofana, who both featured in the team that won the Africa Cup of Nations on home soil in 2023.

Seri was an important part of the balance in the Ivorian midfield during the tournament. Fofana provided an assist in the quarter-final against Mali as Cote d’Ivoire progressed on its way to the title.

Ghana, meanwhile, will have to continue without Inaki Williams. The forward made 28 appearances for the Black Stars and represented the country at two World Cups.

The six retirements remove a significant amount of experience from some of the continent’s leading national teams. They also create opportunities for a new generation as Algeria, Senegal, Cote d’Ivoire and Ghana begin the next stage of their international development.