Online Reporter
ENGLISH Premiership giants Manchester United are among the clubs given a boost after FIFA introduced a shock new date for players to be released for the Africa Cup of Nations but the controversial decision has scuppered the Warriors and most of the continental teams’ plans.
The move has dealt a huge blow to African associations, most of whose national teams rely heavily only their foreign-based professionals.
And Zimbabwe’s Warriors are among those affected and ZIFA revealed as much in a statement yesterday.
“CAF and FIFA have jointly revised the mandatory player-release date for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, confirming that all clubs must release their players on or before 15 December 2025. This represents a shift from the previously agreed 8 December release date and has important implications for all participating nations as they prepare for the tournament in Morocco,’’ ZIFA said.
“For Zimbabwe, the adjustment delivers a significant logistical and technical setback. ZIFA had planned a high-level pre-tournament camp near Morocco to assemble the entire Warriors squad, including the foreign-based group, on time.
“This early gathering was central to the technical team’s strategy, ensuring the squad benefited from essential tactical work, conditioning sessions, and early acclimatisation in the North African environment.
“However, with foreign-based players now only guaranteed for release from 15 December, the original preparation model can no longer be executed. The delayed availability of key players compresses Zimbabwe’s build-up window and disrupts the intended sequencing of training, friendly matches, and travel arrangements.
“As a result, the Warriors’ pre-AFCON structure must now be recalibrated under tighter time-lines.
“The revised release date presents similar challenges to many AFCON-bound sides reliant on players competing in European leagues, where fixtures continue deep into December.’’
ZIFA, however maintained their resolve to facilitate a smooth training camp for coach Marian “Mario’’ Marinica and his Warriors.
“While CAF and FIFA highlight the change as part of a broader effort to align the global calendar and protect player welfare, national associations must now reconfigure long-established plans to meet the new realities.
“Despite this disruption, ZIFA remains focused and adaptive. The Association is actively reviewing the preparation framework to ensure the Warriors maintain a competitive trajectory heading into AFCON 2025.
“Further updates will be communicated once the revised training and travel arrangements are finalised,’’ ZIFA said.
The Red Devils of Manchester United are among the English Premier League football clubs that are set to lose a number of stars for the tournament.
Players were expected to be released to their AFCON nations on December 8 and the Warriors have the midfield pair of Marshall Munetsi and Tawanda Chirewa on the books of Wolverhampton Wanderers.
They also have players dotted around some European leagues, who include Jordan Zemura, Bill Antonio, Andy Rinomhota and Munashe Garananga.
However, with the new release date now December 15, which means they will be available for at least one more Premier League game.
The rule means that United could count on Amad Diallo, Bryan Mbeumo and Noussair Mazraoui against Bournemouth on that day.
The players could then be released and allowed to travel after the game at Old Trafford.
However, it has not yet been confirmed if they will be able to play given the fixture falls on the same day as the release date.
Manager Ruben Amorim had promised that the club would do “everything” it could to delay their departures.
Like United, Sunderland will also be a big beneficiary as they will be able to field their strongest team in the Tyne-Wear derby against Newcastle.
The heated match will be the first in the Premier League for nine years since the Black Cats’ relegation in 2017.
The derby is scheduled for December 14, which means the participation of the likes of Simon Adingra and Chemsdine Talbi is uncertain.
After the deadline, manager Regis Le Bris will lose that duo as well as Bertrand Traore, Arthur Masuaku, Reinildo, Noah Sadiki and Habib Diarra.
Their absences could be a major blow with vital games that could define their season in that period.
The extension also means that Manchester City will have Egyptian Omar Marmoush available and Liverpool could play the Pharaohs skipper Mohamed Salah.
The Citizens travel to Crystal Palace and the Reds host Brighton the day before the deadline.
In total, the Premier League is set to lose 45 players for the tournament which is set to kick off on December 21.
Only Arsenal, Chelsea, Leeds United and Newcastle United do not have any stars who are expected to appear.
Players who go to AFCON could be unavailable for up to eight games and a FA Cup third-round tie if they reach the January 18 final.
English Premier League players expected to depart for AFCON:
Arsenal: No players leaving for AFCON
Aston Villa: Evann Guessand (Ivory Coast)
AFC Bournemouth: Amine Adli (Morocco)
Brentford: Dango Ouattara (Burkina Faso) Frank Onyeka: (Nigeria)
Brighton & Hove Albion: Carlos Baleba (Cameroon)
Burnley: Lyle Foster (South Africa) Axel Tuanzebe (DR Congo) Hannibal Mejbri (Tunisia)
Chelsea: No players leaving for AFCON
Crystal Palace: Ismaila Sarr (Senegal), Christantus Uche (Nigeria), Chadi Riad (Morocco), Cheick Doucoure (Mali)
Everton: Iliman Ndiaye; Idrissa Gueye (Senegal)
Fulham: Alex Iwobi (Nigeria); Calvin Bassey (Nigeria); Samuel Chukwueze (Nigeria)
Leeds United: No players leaving for AFCON
Liverpool: Mohamed Salah (Egypt)
Manchester City: Omar Marmoush (Egypt); Rayan Ait-Nouri (Algeria)
Manchester United: Bryan Mbeumo (Cameroon); Noussair Mazraoui (Morocco); Amad Diallo (Cote d’Ivoire)
Newcastle United: *Yoanne Wissa (DR Congo) *not been selected due to injury
Nottingham Forest: Ibrahim Sangaré; Willy Boly (Cote d’Ivoire); Ola Aina; Taiwo Awoniyi (Nigeria)
Sunderland: Noah Sadiki (DR Congo); Simon Adingra (Cote d’Ivoire); Chemsdine Talbi (Morocco); Reinildo Mandava (Mozambique); Ahmed Abdullahi (Nigeria); Habib Diarra (Senegal); Arthur Masuaku (DR Congo); Blondy Nna Noukeu (Cameroon); Bertrand Traoré (Burkina Faso)
Tottenham Hotspur: Pape Matar Sarr (Senegal); Yves Bissouma (Mali)
West Ham United: El Hadji Malick Diouf (Senegal); Aaron Wan-Bissaka (DR Congo)
Wolverhampton Wanderers: Emmanuel Agbadou (Cote d’Ivoire); Jackson Tchatchoua (Cameroon); Tolu Arokodare (Nigeria); Marshall Munetsi; Tawanda Chirewa (Zimbabwe) — Zimpapers Sports Hub/thesun.co.uk
