8 players who dumped European countries to play at AFCON 2023

Foreign-born players have become a staple of the Africa Cup of nations, take a look at some popular ones from the 2023 AFCON squad lists provided

The Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2023 will bring together a spectacular array of talent from across the globe, including players eligible for other countries who jettisoned the chance to play for other teams for the opportunity to play at AFCON.

Here's a look at some key players who are contributing to their national teams at AFCON 2023 when they could easily have been elsewhere.

Alex Iwobi

A central figure for Nigeria, Iwobi's versatility and technical prowess, honed in the Premier League with Arsenal, were key assets for the Nigerian team.

After coming through Arsenal’s famed academy, Iwobi was primed to play for England’s Three Lions after representing three English youth international teams, but his ties to Nigeria, in the form of his uncle, Super Eagles legend Jay Jay Okocha, convinced him to switch international allegiance.

Sebastien Haller

Sebastien Haller, representing Ivory Coast, brought his goal-scoring abilities and physical presence to the forefront, reflecting his experiences in the Bundesliga, Eredivisie, and the Premier League.

The Borussia Dortmund striker was part of the French national team’s youth set-up from under-16 to under-21 level, but after waiting in vain for four years for a senior appearance, Haller decided to pitch his tent with Ivory Coast, his mother’s country of origin.

Inaki Williams

Opting to play for Ghana, Inaki Williams' speed and attacking capabilities, showcased at Athletic Bilbao in La Liga, have added a dynamic element to the Ghanaian squad.

Williams had represented Spain’s youth teams as well as the Basque national team before choosing to become a Ghanaian international just before the 2022 FIFA World Cup, where he played all three matches for the Black Stars.

Yan Valery

Known for his performances in the Premier League with Southampton during his four-year spell in England, Valery's defensive skills could provide stability and support to his national team's backline.

Valery will be playing for Tunisia at the 2023 AFCON despite having already played for France’s under-17 and under-18 teams.

Houssem Aouar

Before joining AS Roma in the summer of 2023, Houssem Aouar's creative midfield role for Lyon in Ligue 1 was expected to translate into playmaking excellence for the French national team, but he is now an asset for Algeria’s Fennec Foxes.

Aouar went as far as playing for the French senior national team on one occasion but was able to switch his international devotion to Algeria since his debut for Les Blues came in a friendly against Ukraine.

Amine Gouiri

As a rising talent in French football with Lyon, Nice, and Rennes, Amine Gouiri's goal-scoring and creative talents marked him as an exciting prospect for the France national team.

However, just months after Aouar announced his decision to play for Algeria instead of France, Gouiri did the same and has been capped by the Foxes four times, leading up to the 2023 AFCON.

Prior to his international switch, Gouiri had represented France in six different youth cadres, making his change a big coup for Algeria.

Achraf Hakimi

Paris Saint-Germain’s Achraf Hakimi is one of the top right-backs globally and is a significant defensive and attacking contributor for Morocco.

Hakimi had the chance to play for Spain since he was born in Madrid, and he was approached by La Roja’s youth teams, but his heart was only ever set on playing for the Atlas Lions.

Ola Aina

Nigeria’s Ola Aina's adaptability in defence demonstrated at several clubs in his career, made him a valuable asset for the Super Eagles, contributing to the team’s defensive and attacking efforts from his full-back role.

Before opting to become a Super Eagle, Aina had played for England’s youth teams, including the under-16, under-17, under-18, under-19 and under-20 levels.

The involvement of these players in AFCON 2023 not only highlights their skills but also underscores their commitments to their national teams and their willingness to connect with their countries of origin despite being born elsewhere.

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