Andre Onana, Mohamed Salah and the 31 players set to miss Premier League games due to the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations

In an attempt to avoid overlapping with the European club campaign, the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations was initially set to be played in June and July. However, due to concerns over adverse weather conditions in Ivory Coast, the tournament was pushed back. It will now run between 13 January and 11 February.

The news went down like a lead balloon for Premier League clubs. For years, one of the pitfalls of signing the best African players has been the prospect of losing them for the tournament during the busy winter period.

And, thanks to the scheduling change, this season will be no different. Few English clubs will escape the effects of the 2023 AFCON, with as many as 31 players set to miss games for their respective clubs when the action kicks off.

Below, GOAL has taken a look at which Premier League stars are poised for a tournament-enforced absence this winter.