Osimhen, Kudus, Mané: 10 African stars missing as AFCON 2027 qualifiers heat up

Victor Osimhen is again in the conversation as Africa’s road to the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON 2027) begins with several of the continent’s most recognisable stars watching from the sidelines, Afrik-Foot reports.

Super Eagles striker Osimhen is injured and will not be a part of Nigeria’s first two qualifiers against Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau.

Osimhen, who is two goals away from equalling Nigeria’s all-time scoring record, will be a big miss for the Eric Chelle-tutored Super Eagles.

However, the Galatasaray striker is not the only African superstar who will miss the opening round of the 2027 AFCON qualifiers.

Mohammed Kudus has also pulled out of Ghana’s squad while continuing his recovery. Sadio Mané was left out of Senegal’s first squad under Patrick Vieira because of a physical issue. Elsewhere, André Onana and Vincent Aboubakar were omitted as Cameroon began a dramatic generational shift.

The opening phase of qualification involves 48 nations divided into 12 groups, with Matchdays 1 and 2 running through October 6. Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda will host the finals and are already guaranteed places, while the other nations fight for the remaining qualification spots.

The first results are already out with the big dogs getting the job done. Côte d’Ivoire defeated a depleted Ghana 2-0 in Bouaké on Thursday, while Cameroon beat Comoros 3-1 despite entering the campaign without several established names.

Here are 10 prominent African stars missing from the opening round.

AFCON 2027 qualifiers: Osimhen and 10 Africa stars missing

1. Victor Osimhen, Nigeria

Nigeria’s most feared attacking weapon will not be available when the Super Eagles begin their Group L campaign against Madagascar in Uyo.

Osimhen was initially included in Eric Chelle’s 24-man squad but suffered a muscle injury while playing for Galatasaray against Başakşehir in the Turkish league.

Osimhen has scored 35 goals in 52 appearances for Nigeria, giving Chelle a sizeable hole to fill at the head of his attack.

Taiwo Awoniyi, Akor Adams, Tolu Arokodare and George Ilenikhena provide alternative options, but none offers the same international record as the Galatasaray striker.

Nigeria’s margin for error is also narrower than usual because Tanzania, one of the co-hosts, occupies the fourth place in Group L while already holding an automatic berth. Only the highest-placed team among Nigeria, Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau will take the remaining qualifying place.

2. Mohammed Kudus, Ghana

Kudus was supposed to be one of the faces of Ghana’s new era under Carlos Queiroz.

The Tottenham midfielder had been recalled to the Black Stars squad after missing the 2026 World Cup through a lengthy injury absence.

Yet Kudus did not travel for the opening qualifiers. Reports said he opted to continue his recovery at Tottenham rather than join Ghana for matches against Côte d’Ivoire and The Gambia. His absence was confirmed just days before the Black Stars’ campaign began.

The consequences were immediate. Ghana travelled to Bouaké without Kudus, Antoine Semenyo and Jordan Ayew and lost 2-0 to Côte d’Ivoire. Malick Yalcouyé scored on his debut before Franck Kessié converted a penalty.

Kudus’ eventual return to full international duty now becomes an important subplot in Ghana’s qualifying campaign.

3. Sadio Mané, Senegal

Patrick Vieira’s first competitive assignment as Senegal coach began without one of the country’s defining football figures.

Mané was left out of Vieira’s first 29-man squad for the qualifiers against Mozambique and Ethiopia. Vieira explained that the forward was dealing with a “physical issue” and suggested he could return during the next international window.

The decision does not signal an international retirement. Instead, Vieira starts his Senegal tenure without a player who has been central to the country’s recent success and who was still part of the squad at the 2026 World Cup.

Senegal’s opening qualifier against Mozambique takes place on September 25 before the Lions of Teranga travel to face Ethiopia four days later.

Vieira has retained experienced figures including Kalidou Koulibaly, Idrissa Gana Gueye and Pape Matar Sarr, but Mané’s absence gives the new coach an immediate chance to examine other attacking options.

4. Antoine Semenyo, Ghana

Semenyo arrived at the international window in club form that made his absence even more frustrating for Ghana.

The Manchester City forward withdrew from Queiroz’s squad because of a foot problem. Ghana FA president Kurt Okraku said Semenyo’s leg was swollen and that the player had discussed the issue with Queiroz before deciding to continue his recovery with his club.

The withdrawal came shortly after Semenyo scored twice and supplied an assist in Manchester City’s 5-3 Premier League victory over Sunderland.

He had also made five Premier League appearances, scoring two goals and providing three assists.

His absence deprived Ghana of another attacking outlet just before the difficult trip to Côte d’Ivoire.

The Black Stars eventually lost that contest 2-0, leaving Queiroz to begin his qualifying campaign with three prominent attacking players unavailable.

5. Jordan Ayew, Ghana

Ghana’s captain did everything expected of a player responding to an international call-up, only for a medical examination to end his involvement.

Ayew travelled to Black Stars camp before undergoing further assessment.

An MRI scan detected an injury, and GFA president Kurt Okraku later clarified that the striker had not rejected Ghana’s invitation.

The 35-year-old suffered a groin injury during Sheffield United’s defeat by Stoke City before reporting for international duty.

He was subsequently ruled out of Ghana’s qualifiers against Côte d’Ivoire and The Gambia.

His absence stripped Queiroz of experience at a moment when Ghana were already without Kudus and Semenyo.

The impact was visible in Bouaké, where Ghana started with Abdul Fatawu Issahaku, Ernest Nuamah and Brandon Thomas-Asante in attack.

6. Amad Diallo, Côte d’Ivoire

Côte d’Ivoire opened their qualifying campaign with a victory, but Hervé Renard had to begin his second spell without Amad Diallo.

The Manchester United forward was ruled out with an injury, joining Wilfried Singo among the unavailable Elephants.

Diallo’s absence came as Renard introduced eight new players to his first Côte d’Ivoire squad since returning to the job.

The coach handed opportunities to Patrick Zabi, Eddy Doué, Amadou Koné, Malick Yalcouyé, Christ Tapé, Kassoum Ouattara, Yann Gboho and Rayan Fofana.

One of those newcomers, Yalcouyé, immediately made his mark, scoring in the 44th minute against Ghana before Kessié’s penalty secured a 2-0 victory.

Diallo therefore missed a match that doubled as the opening chapter of Renard’s new cycle.

7. André Onana, Cameroon

Onana’s absence has nothing to do with an injury.

The Cameroon goalkeeper was simply not selected by David Pagou for the opening AFCON qualifiers against Comoros and Congo.

Pagou named a heavily refreshed 26-man squad, leaving out Onana alongside Vincent Aboubakar, Nouhou Tolo and several other established internationals.

The decision represents a significant change in direction for Cameroon.

Onana had occupied the national team’s goal for years, but Pagou has instead selected Simon Ngapandouetnbu, Blondy Nna Noukeu and Emile Lako Wendeu.

Cameroon did not collapse without him. The Indomitable Lions opened their campaign with a 3-1 victory over Comoros in Garoua, with Bryan Mbeumo scoring after the break and Daniel Namaso adding a late third.

8. Vincent Aboubakar, Cameroon

Aboubakar is another giant of Cameroon’s recent history who was left outside Pagou’s latest plans.

The veteran striker was not selected for the matches against Comoros and Congo as the coach continued his reshaping of the national team.

The decision follows his absence from recent Cameroon squads and forms part of a broader shift towards younger players. Pagou’s September group contained several new faces, including 19-year-old Angel Yondjo and 21-year-old Bill Nsongo.

Aboubakar’s absence is striking because of his place in Cameroon’s modern history, but the early evidence suggests Pagou’s new group can function without him.

Cameroon defeated Comoros 3-1 in the opening qualifier, with a younger squad delivering three points at the Stade Roumdé Adjia.

9. Naby Keïta, Guinea

Guinea have also opened a new chapter without one of their most recognisable midfielders.

Naby Keïta was left out of Paulo Duarte’s 25-man squad for matches against South Africa and Kenya.

Mohamed Mady Camara and Mohamed Bayo were also omitted, while Ilaix Moriba returned and Borussia Dortmund striker Serhou Guirassy was included to lead the attack.

Guinea’s campaign begins against South Africa at Orlando Stadium in Johannesburg on September 26 before Kenya visit Conakry on October 1.

Keïta’s absence therefore arrives as Duarte reshapes a side that is trying to blend established players with a new generation.

10. Mohamed Bayo, Guinea

Bayo completes the list and provides another example of an established international missing through selection rather than injury.

The Samsunspor striker was not included in Duarte’s squad for the first two qualifying fixtures.

His omission leaves Guirassy as the obvious attacking reference point in the squad, with Guinea also bringing Moriba back into the midfield.