CAN 2025: OM puts major pressure on its African players

Aubameyang

At OM, a decisive call has been made just days before CAN 2025. The club’s African internationals will have to negotiate.

Between a crucial Champions League trip to Union Saint-Gilloise and a Ligue 1 showdown against Monaco, OM is gearing up for two fixtures that could define the second half of their season. There’s a major issue looming over these matches: the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations. Several key African players will be unavailable to Roberto De Zerbi.

While many expected Nayef Aguerd, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and other internationals to join their national teams as early as December 8, this won’t be the case. Medhi Benatia, OM’s sporting director, made things clear yesterday on After Foot: "All clubs are working together to try to keep as many internationals as possible before they are called up for the CAN. I want to believe that common sense will prevail and we’ll be able to keep them until the 15th."

The message is crystal clear: OM has no intention of releasing its players until they’ve played their final two big matches of the year.