Yoane Wissa chooses Newcastle United over the Africa Cup of Nations after deciding to withdraw from DR Congo’s squad only days before the competition.
The 29-year-old striker, according to talkSPORT, informed DR Congo that he will not join the national team this winter because he wants full focus on his adaptation, fitness, and long-term goals with Newcastle United.
Wissa prepares for his long-awaited debut after a £55 million move last summer, a transfer that came with huge expectations.
A knee injury he suffered while on international duty delayed his introduction to the Premier League.
He now trains normally with the squad and aims to make his first appearance either against Burnley in the league or in the Champions League against Bayer Leverkusen.
Newcastle’s staff monitors his progress closely, and the club considers him a key addition to their attacking plans. Wissa pushed hard to settle quickly in the North of England.
He gave up a bonus from Brentford and accepted a salary reduction to complete his move, showing his determination to succeed at St James’ Park and establish himself in Eddie Howe’s project.
His decision creates a major setback for DR Congo, who expected him to lead the attack at AFCON 2025. T
he national team prepares for the tournament without one of its most experienced forwards.
Despite the disappointment on the international stage, Newcastle benefits from a fully committed player who already shows strong ambition to make an impact.
Wissa’s choice highlights the difficult balance many African players navigate between club demands and national team duty during a season packed with high-level competition.
EXCLUSIVE: Newcastle handed major Yoane Wissa update with AFCON weeks away https://t.co/3f1elpXJJ3
— talkSPORT (@talkSPORT) December 5, 2025
