Newcastle striker Yoane Wissa will not participate in the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations after being omitted from the Democratic Republic of Congo’s squad. The tournament is set to begin on December 21, 2023, in Morocco. Wissa’s absence stems from an injury he sustained while on international duty during a World Cup qualifier against Senegal on September 9, 2023.
After transferring to Newcastle for a reported fee of £55 million (approximately $75 million) on the final day of the summer transfer window, Wissa has yet to make an appearance for his new club. He returned from national team duty with the injury, which has prevented him from contributing to Newcastle’s campaign in the Premier League and the Champions League.
Wissa has resumed training with Newcastle but was unable to be included in Congo’s squad due to the timing of his recovery. He has played only two matches this season, both for Congo during the World Cup qualifiers in early September. His limited preparation included minimal training with the senior squad at Brentford prior to his transfer, and he did not feature in any of the team’s first three league games as he sought a move away from the club.
The Congolese national team, announced late on Monday, includes several players from the English Premier League. Notable selections include Arthur Masuaku and Noah Sadiki from Sunderland, Aaron Wan-Bissaka of West Ham, and Axel Tuanzebe from Burnley. These players will be crucial as Congo aims to make a strong impact in the tournament.
As the Africa Cup of Nations approaches, Wissa’s absence highlights the challenges faced by national teams in selecting their best players, especially when injuries disrupt preparations. The tournament promises to be a showcase of talent from across the continent, but for Wissa, this year will be a missed opportunity.
