AC Milan will soon be deprived of Samuel Chukwueze’s services as the winger has been called up to Nigeria’s squad for the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
AFCON is going to get underway on January 13 with Ivory Coast hosting Guinea-Bissau. Ivory Coast are the host nation this year.
Chukwueze’s first match with Nigeria is going to be against Equatorial Guinea on January 14, and that group also contains the two teams in the first match of the tournament, Ivory Coast and Guinea-Bissau.
The good news for Milan about Chukwueze’s absence is that he has been allowed to leave after the Coppa Italia clash against Cagliari on January 2. After that match, he will join the Super Eagles.
AFCON dates
The earliest that Chukwueze’s time at AFCON can end is January 22, as that is when the group stage will end for Nigeria. If they have been knocked out, which is not expected, then Chukwueze will return.
The round of 16 is going to be played on January 28-30, so there is at least an extra week of his absence if Nigeria get out of their group.
The quarter-finals are February 2-3, semi-finals are February 7, and the final is either February 10 or 11.
He is guaranteed to miss Milan’s Serie A clashes with Empoli, Roma and Udinese, but there is the potential to also miss matches against Bologna, Frosinone and Napoli. Even the first Europa League match against Stade Rennes on February 15 would likely come too soon were he to get to the final with Nigeria.
It’s ok, Nigeria got just one time to the Quarter-final and last year lost in the round 16.
however they got an easy group so I think they again, reach the round-16, and then we can see who they get.
Thanks to Nigeria for not kicking up a fuss over him coming 1-2 days later to the training camp, unlike Algeria.