How Afobe's AFCON boycott could pave the way for more African withdrawals

The Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) is supposed to be the biggest showpiece in football on the continent, showcasing the talents of its best players as well as bringing future superstars to wider attention.

Back in 1982, Abedi Pele played in the final, then 10 years later, the winner was decided after an 11-10 penalty shootout. There have been hundreds of memorable moments and outstanding performances in the 60 years since the competition began.

However, this year's event will already be lacking in comparison to previous editions. On Monday, Bournemouth striker Benik Afobe decided to pull out of the DR Congo squad to focus on keeping his place in his club's starting XI.

Less than 24 hours later, Cameroon forward Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting announced his retirement from international football - changing his focus to his club football with Schalke despite being just 27 years old.

The duo's decision to turn their backs on their countries should not come as a surprise to anyone, especially considering how the AFCON is viewed by many club managers in Europe.

This weekend, Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho condemned the decision of the Ivory Coast Football Federation to bring Eric Bailly into their squad.

"Bailly goes to the national team. He has to be in the national team on the second of January. We asked them for him to be [there] on the third," Mourinho told reporters.

"They refused, so he cannot play against West Ham. I wish Ivory Coast to be champions because with these kind of decisions it's because they are controlling every second, so for sure they are going to win the African Cup."

Ivory Coast were well within their rights to decide to call up the defender when they did, but the 22-year-old may find his place at Old Trafford usurped when he returns from the competition in Gabon.

"I know that I lose Bailly for a month, and I know I'll have [Chris] Smalling, [Marcos] Rojo and [Phil] Jones," Mourinho admitted.

As well as missing over a month of domestic action due to being away from their clubs, players also risk picking up injuries on international duty at the tournament.

If a country reaches the final, their players could play six matches, with the prospect of extra-time and penalties adding extra wear and tear during the knockout stages.

Some clubs are concerned about player fitness, and it has been reported that Jurgen Klopp is so worried about Senegal midfielder Sadio Mane that he has appointed former Liverpool physio Dave Galley to accompany him to Gabon.

Worst of all could be that if future transfer decisions are made on whether players are due to miss club time to play in the AFCON. Although this sounds like a crazy notion, it was cited as the reason Lyon chose not to snap up Emmanuel Adebayor on a free transfer in September.

“They said that? That’s nonsense," Adebayor told L'Equipe when asked about the claim. “They knew I was going to play. If they start looking for such excuses, they will kill themselves. I’m the captain of my country, so how could I not go? What if a Frenchman refused to play in the Euros?”

If clubs continue to view going to the competition as a "massive blow" like Sam Allardyce's claim about Wilfried Zaha's decision to join up with the Ivory Coast, then we will surely see more and more pressure exerted on players to follow Afobe and Choupo-Moting in choosing to stay with their clubs instead of playing at the AFCON.