AFCON 2025: 20 players facing suspension ahead of the final

Ahead of Wednesday’s 2025 Africa Cup of Nations semi-finals, 20 players are facing suspension for the final if they receive another yellow card.

This is a unique feature of the Africa Cup of Nations. Unlike the World Cup and the Champions League, for example, the AFCON does not reset yellow cards after the quarterfinals.

As a result, 20 players are facing suspension before the final, which will be held on Sunday, January 18, at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat, Morocco.

On Wednesday, Senegal and Egypt will battle it out for a place in the final (5 p.m.), as will Morocco and Nigeria (8 p.m.). For the Lions of Teranga, 7 players could be suspended from the final if they receive a yellow card in the semi-final.

This includes Kalidou Koulibaly, Pape Gueye, Habib Diarra, and Habib Diallo. The Pharaohs have 6 players under threat, including goalkeeper Mohamed El Shenawy, Rami Rabia, Marwan Attia, and Hossam Abdelmaguid.

As the host country for the competition, Morocco has three players who must avoid receiving yellow cards. Bilal El Khannouss, Soufiane Rahimi, and Ismael Saibari will have to deal with this situation. For the Super Eagles, this situation affects goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali, as well as Calvin Bassey, Moses Simon, and Frank Onyeka.

Nigeria : Stanley Nwabali, Calvin Bassey, Moses Simon et Frank Onyeka.

Morocco: Bilal El Khannouss, Soufiane Rahimi, and Ismael Saibari.

Senegal: Kalidou Koulibaly, Ismail Jakobs, Pape Gueye, Habib Diarra, Habib Diallo, Nicolas Jackson, and Ibrahim Mbaye.