Cameroon’s national team, including Manchester United forward Bryan Mbeumo, has arrived in Morocco as they prepare for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), which kicks off on 21 December 2025. The Indomitable Lions are part of Group F alongside Gabon, Ivory Coast, and Mozambique, with their opening match scheduled for 24 December against Gabon in Agadir. They will then face Ivory Coast on 28 December and conclude the group stage versus Mozambique on 31 December in Marrakech.
Mbeumo, who joined Manchester United from Brentford in the summer of 2025 and quickly established himself as a key attacker, turned down the opportunity to captain Cameroon at this tournament so he could focus purely on his on‑field performances.
The AFCON tournament is one of the biggest stages for African football, drawing heavy interest from clubs across Europe due to its timing in the middle of the domestic season. This year, Morocco’s hosting of the competition from late December to mid‑January means many Premier League clubs, including Manchester United, will lose key players during a crucial part of their campaign.
Cameroon’s arrival in Morocco comes amid optimism and cautious expectation as they aim to progress from a competitive group. Their squad combines experienced players and emerging talent, with Mbeumo expected to be a pivotal attacking threat.
Impact on Manchester United: Matches Mbeumo Could Miss
AFCON participation inevitably impacts Manchester United’s fixture list, with the club likely to be without Mbeumo for a series of Premier League and FA Cup matches if Cameroon advance beyond the group stage. While negotiations between United and the Cameroon Football Federation allowed Mbeumo to feature against Bournemouth on 15 December, the rules set by FIFA require him to join his national team no later than 7 days before Cameroon’s first AFCON match — meaning his departure sometime around 17 December at the latest.
Assuming Mbeumo remains at AFCON until at least the Round of 16 (which begins around 3 January), he is expected to miss the following Manchester United fixtures:
📌 Premier League Matches:
- 20 Dec: Aston Villa vs Man United (Away)
- 27 Dec: Man United vs Newcastle United (Home)
- 30 Dec: Man United vs Wolves (Home)
- 3 Jan: Leeds United vs Man United (Away)
- 7 Jan: Burnley vs Man United (Away)
- 17 Jan: Manchester United vs Manchester City (Home – Manchester Derby)
📌 Potential Cup Match:
- FA Cup Third Round (~10 Jan): Man United vs Brighton (if United qualify and round scheduling overlaps with AFCON run)
No comments:
Post a Comment