The Union of African Football revealed on Friday that players from the French and English leagues will be the most represented in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast, which kicks off today.
The tournament begins with a match between Ivory Coast and Guinea-Bissau, showcasing a total of 628 players from 24 countries participating in the finals of the 34th edition of the championship.
Leading the contingent from the French Ligue 1 are 61 players, including Paris Saint-Germain’s defender Achraf Hakimi from Morocco and Ghana’s captain Andre Ayew, who plays for Le Havre.
Egyptian star Mohamed Salah spearheads the list of players from the English Premier League, numbering 31, though injuries to some players like Thomas Partey and Wilfried Ndidi could have increased their representation.
Additionally, 25 players from the Saudi Arabian league will participate in the Africa Cup of Nations, featuring prominent names such as Sadio Mane, Riyad Mahrez, and Kalidou Koulibaly.
In the Spanish league, 22 players are set to join the continental tournament, while the German league is represented by 17 players.
The holder of the title for the Best African Player of the Year 2023, Victor Osimhen, leads the contingent of 15 players from the Italian Serie A participating in the African football spectacle.
South African clubs Mamelodi Sundowns, Orlando Pirates, and Al Ahly contribute a significant share to the tournament, with a total of 30 players participating alongside South Africa and Egypt.
As the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations unfolds, the dominance of players from the French and English leagues adds an intriguing dimension to the competition, highlighting the global influence and diversity within the continent’s premier football event.
