Sunderland’s Premier League campaign is set to face a major test this winter as the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) threatens to strip manager Régis Le Bris of up to nine first-team players during a critical stretch of fixtures. With the tournament scheduled from December 21 to January 18 in Morocco, the Black Cats could be without several key contributors for as many as eight matches — including high-profile clashes against Leeds United, Tottenham Hotspur, and Manchester City.
🌍 AFCON Call-Ups: Who’s Likely to Depart?
Among the potential absentees are summer signings and established starters who represent a wide array of African nations:
| Player | Country |
|---|---|
| Habib Diarra | Senegal |
| Reinildo | Mozambique |
| Simon Adingra | Ivory Coast |
| Arthur Masuaku | DR Congo |
| Noah Sadiki | DR Congo |
| Chemsdine Talbi | Morocco |
| Bertrand Traoré | Burkina Faso |
| Ahmed Abdullahi | Nigeria |
| Blondy Nna Noukeu | Cameroon |
The timing couldn’t be worse. Sunderland’s festive fixture list includes the Wear-Tyne derby against Newcastle just days before AFCON kicks off, followed by a brutal run against Brighton, Leeds, City, Spurs, Brentford, and Crystal Palace. Should any of these players reach the knockout stages, their absence could extend well into January.
🧠 Le Bris’ Tactical Puzzle
The biggest concern lies in midfield, where DR Congo duo Arthur Masuaku and Noah Sadiki — two of Le Bris’ preferred starters — could be unavailable for the entire AFCON window. While Dan Neil and Chris Rigg offer solid cover, the loss of depth and experience could prove costly.
Sporting director Kristjaan Speakman acknowledged the challenge but remained optimistic:
“We recognise when that competition comes around, we're going to lose one or two players naturally. But that's where the competition and the depth is going to come in.”
Sunderland’s recruitment strategy has clearly prioritized quality, even if it means accepting short-term absences due to international duty. The club hopes its bolstered squad can maintain momentum through the disruption.
🩺 Injury Boosts and New Arrivals
Amid the looming AFCON headache, Sunderland received a welcome boost as Luke O’Nien returned to training after a long injury layoff. The versatile defender, sidelined since the play-off final win over Sheffield United, is expected to be fit for the upcoming clash with Crystal Palace.
Also back on the training pitch are Aji Alese and new signings Lutsharel Geertruida and Brian Brobbey, who joined from RB Leipzig and Ajax respectively. Both could make their debuts soon, though Le Bris will need to carefully manage their match fitness.
Meanwhile, Bertrand Traoré — another late-window addition — remains on international duty with Burkina Faso and will join the squad next week, leaving little time for integration before AFCON begins.
🔮 What’s Next?
With AFCON casting a long shadow over Sunderland’s winter campaign, fans will be watching closely to see how Le Bris navigates the challenge. Squad rotation, tactical flexibility, and the emergence of fringe players could define the club’s fortunes during this period.
One thing’s certain: the coming weeks will test Sunderland’s resilience — and could shape the trajectory of their Premier League season.
