The AFCON kicks off in Gabon in January, where a host of Premier League players will be performing.
Sunderland could lose as many as four players when the Africa Cup of Nations starts in Gabon in January.
The tournament is going to be a huge hurdle to overcome for David Moyes, who has already had issues with his squad during his short tenure as Sunderland boss.
The Black Cats made nine signings this summer, but could lose two of their new stars to the AFCON.
Club-record signing Didier Ndong will be representing the home nation Gabon at the tournament, meaning that the centre midfielder will already have to put his short Sunderland career on hold to focus on his country.
The 22-year-old joined Sunderland on deadline day for £13.6 million, the most Sunderland have ever paid for a player.
The second summer signing who could head to the AFCON is Senegal’s Papy Djilobodji.
The central defender arrived at the Stadium of Light from Chelsea and has started brightly in red and white, but could be called up to represent his country in January. Senegal won six out of six of their qualifiers for the tournament, which is held every two years.
Having been linked heavily with a move away from Wearside, Sunderland will eventually lose Lamine Kone, but only temporarily.
Representing one of the tournament favourites in Ivory Coast, Kone’s departure will mean that Moyes will be without his top two centre backs during January.
The fourth player who will be taking a leave of absence is attacker Wahbi Khazri, whose Tunisia side will be looking to win the AFCON for the first time since 2004.
The 25-year-old was key in Sunderland’s survival mission last season, but has struggled for minutes under Moyes during the opening weeks of the new season.
It has already been a tough start for Sunderland, and things look like they will only get tougher in January with so many key players set to be absent.
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