In the aftermath of his nation’s defeat to Nigeria, Algeria star Riyadh Mahrez announced the 35th edition of the Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.
“This is my last Africa Cup for sure,” he told the media. “After six Afcons with more than 20 games. I am happy that I brought one big star for my country and that is football, sometimes you win, sometimes you lose,” he added.
Besides Mahrez who has made it public, there are a lot of high-profile names who are most likely to have retired from international football by the time their next chance arrives in 2027 in East Africa.
Mahrez is lucky to have won it but so many are likely to leave without any medal.
Let’s take a look at the African stars who have most likely played their last Afcon in Morocco.
Riyad Mahrez
- Country: Algeria
- Position: Forward
- International debut: May 31, 2014 vs Armenia
- Age: 34
- Afcon: Champions 2019
- Afcon debut: Gabon 2017
Denis Masinde Onyango
- Country: Uganda
- Position: Goalkeeper
- International debut: June 18th, 2005 vs Cape Verde
- Age: 40
- Afcon debut: Gabon 2017
Mbwana Ally Samatta
- Country: Tanzania
- Position: Forward
- International debut: 2011
- Age: 33
- Afcon debut: Egypt 2019
Gael Romeo Kakuta
- Country: DR Congo
- Position: Winger
- International debut: 2017 vs Kenya
- Age: 34
Pierre Emerick Aubameyang
- Country: Gabon
- Position: Forward
- International debut: March 25, 2009 vs Morocco
- Age: 36
- Afcon debut: Gabon & Equatorial Guinea 2012
Emilio Nsue
- Country: Equatorial Guinea
- Position: Forward
- International debut: March 21, 2013 vs Benin
- Age: 36
- Afcon debut: Equatorial Guinea 2015
Eliass Gasper Pelembe
- Country: Mozambique
- Position: Winger
- International debut: 2004
- Age: 42
Mohamed Salah
- Country: Egypt
- Position: Forward
- International debut: September 3rd, 2011 vs Siera Leone
- Age: 33
- Afcon debut: Gabon 2017
Romain Saïss
- Country: Morocco
- Position: Defender
- International debut: 2012 vs Togo
- Age: 35
- Afcon debut: Gabon 2017
Issoufou Dayo
- Country: Burkina Faso
- Position: Defender
- International debut: CHAN 2014
- Age: 34
- Afcon debut: Gabon 2017
Simon Happygod Msuva
- Country: Tanzania
- Position: Forward
- International debut: 2012
- Age: 33
- Afcon debut: Egypt 2019
Youssouf Mchangama
- Country: Comoros
- Position: Midfielder
- International debut: 2010
- Age: 35
- Afcon debut: Cameroon 2021
Yassine Bonou
- Country: Morocco
- Position: Goalkeeper
- International debut: March 15, 2013 vs Togo
- Age: 34
- Afcon debut: Egypt 2019