With the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations fast approaching the business end of things, we take a look at five high-profile footballers who failed to live up to expectations at the tournament, including three Premier League stars as well as Peter Shalulile.
Peter Shalulile
Many expected the Namibia striker to explode at the AFCON, having consistently produced the goods for club side Mamelodi Sundowns over the past couple of seasons. The 30-year-old went into the tournament as one of the best players based on the continent, with his nomination for the 2023 CAF Interclub Player of the Year proving how highly rated he is in Africa. However, he appeared well short of his usual levels at the tournament, failing to register a single goal for his country in their historic run to the round of 16. Although he remains Namibia's all-time top goalscorer, Shalulile now holds an unwanted record of having never scored at AFCON in seven appearances at the showpiece.
Andre Onana
Perhaps the most controversial player at this year's AFCON, Onana made headlines for all the wrong reasons during the showpiece despite having become the most expensive African goalkeeper of all time just months before. The Cameroon star commanded a lofty €50.2 million (R1 billion) fee when he joined Manchester United from Inter Milan in July 2023 as his reputation as one of the best goalkeepers in the world sky-rocketed. However, he endured a disastrous tournament in the Ivory Coast as he was not included in the team for their first match after arriving late, and was benched for the games against The Gambia and Nigeria after he conceded three goals against Senegal in the Indomitable Lions' second group-stage match.
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Mohamed Salah
Possibly an unfortunate inclusion on this list, Salah's Egypt were dumped out of the tournament by DR Congo in the round of 16. The Liverpool star featured in just two matches before he was injured and subsequently missed his country's last two games in the competition. Although he managed to register a goal and an assist in the Pharaohs first game against Mozambique, his side failed two win a single match at the 2023 AFCON and their elimination now firmly places Salah as one of the best players to have never won the trophy. His controversial injury situation also made him unpopular in some quarters, especially in his home nation, after it was revealed he would leave the team in the Ivory Coast in order to continue his recovery back at Liverpool instead.
Riyad Mahrez
Algeria had an abysmal tournament, finishing bottom of their group without any wins. It was also a complete disaster for their captain Mahrez, who failed to register a goal or an assist before being dropped to the bench for their final group game against minnows Mauritania. There have since been reports that the Al Ahli star is set to formally announce his retirement from international football and concentrate on his club football in Saudi Arabia.
Nicolas Jackson
Having joined Chelsea from Villarreal in a deal worth €37 million (R757 million) in July 2023, many expected the 22-year-old to have a breakout tournament in west Africa. However, it was not meant to be as Senegal coach Aliou Cisse did not give him any starts at AFCON, limiting him to just four substitute appearances before the defending champions were dumped out by hosts Ivory Coasts in the round of 16. Despite his burgeoning reputation as a top African striker to look out for in the future, Jackson is yet to score for his country in 10 matches. The wait for that elusive debut goal continues.
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