Nottingham Forest: The AFCON affect 

With just over a week until the African Cup of Nations starts, Nottingham Forest can probably thank those who make the English football calendar for very limited games in January. That being said the affect of this tournament will be felt, but thankfully, the winter transfer window is open. How will AFCON change the course of Forest’s January recruitment, and also performances during the month?

Undeniably, African players are a staple of Nottingham Forest’s squad – some of the best players to have graced the City Ground pitch for years are from the continent, losing them is/was always going to be a huge loss.

Since 2022, following promotion to the Premier League, Nottingham Forest have added a large number of African players to their ‘Quota’ – the majority of which have been integral in Forest’s survival in the division, losing them at this stage in the season will no doubt be detrimental.

Who will Nottingham Forest lose to AFCON?

The following players will leave due to the African Cup of Nations tournament being on, and following their selection to represent in the tournament: Serge Aurier, Willy Boly, Ibrahim Sangaré, Moussa Niakhate, Cheikhou Kouyaté and Ola Aina. Six players out of seven African players within the squad heading to AFCON, representing Nigeria, The Ivory Coast & Senegal. The only African player not to head to the tournament is the Reds’ star striker, Taiwo Awoniyi, who is currently sidelined with a Groin injury.

Out of the six players, four are Defenders & two Midfielders, which leaves Forest a bit ‘thin’ in both areas, in some respects. Below shows the senior depth Forest have due to AFCON in both Defence & Midfield:

Defenders available (during AFCON): Joe Worrall, Scott McKenna, Murillo, Andrew Omobamidele, Felipe, Gonzalo Montiel, Neco Williams, Harry Toffolo & Nuno Tavares.

Midfielders available (during AFCON): Orel Mangala, Nicolas Dominguez, Morgan Gibbs-White, Ryan Yates, Danilo, Brandon Aguilera.

Specifically, Forest’s defence has been hurt the most, losing four defenders, two senior centre-backs also – replacing them will be difficult. Boly considered to be the best Centre-back available, Niakhaté in top-form, it’ll be interesting to see if there is perhaps a formational change given the lack of personnel now available. 

What will Forest’s team potentially look like during AFCON?

This is the perplexing part – Nuno has started to gain momentum with his side, African players are a key part of that, and as of now, the depth isn’t quite up to the level needed, I feel. Worrall & McKenna both touted for a departure this winter, clearly out of favour, and Omobamidele without any game time since joining Forest on deadline day last summer, Murillo, for me, is the only clear starter out of the Centre-backs available. 

Formation wise, I couldn’t be sure as to if the 4-2-3-1/4-3-3 played previously will change. The reasoning for a change would likely be down to the personnel available, Nuno has come similar at Wolves, where he typically played a 3-4-3. 

Nuno has had only two weeks to look at his defence, and its clear as to who he wants to pick (usually Niakhaté/Boly & Murillo as CB’s), so AFCON comes at a slightly awkward time, that being said, Worrall & McKenna do have a level of Premier League experience, so they are still options. 

What does the AFCON period look like?

From January – February, during the AFCON tournament, Nottingham Forest will play five games, with one of those being in the FA Cup this Sunday against Blackpool.

In the Premier League, Forest will play Brentford, Arsenal, Bournemouth & Newcastle, two are at home, two away. 

A tough period for the Reds losing some key players, but also a ‘nod’ to January recruitment ahead of a tough run of fixtures coming up – Forest fans specifically can be grateful to some degree for a less-congested fixture list.

*Article provided by Jamie Martin (Head Nottingham Forest Correspondent).

*Main image @NFFC Forest will lose Moussa Niakhate to the Africa cup of Nations.