AliousWolves wrapped up the January 2025 transfer window on a high note, despite some initial setbacks.
After their victory over Aston Villa, the club faced disappointment when they missed out on signing Kevin Danso, who opted to join Tottenham Hotspur instead—a move that left some fans worried about the squad’s defensive depth.
However, Wolves quickly bounced back on deadline day by securing key signings: Marshall Munetsi and Nasser Djiga.
Munetsi arrives as a direct replacement for the departing Mario Lemina, while Djiga adds more depth to Vitor Pereira’s defensive options, complementing Emmanuel Agbadou, who joined the squad a few weeks earlier.
With these additions, Wolves’ current squad looks solid and well-rounded. However, the team could face a significant challenge later this year that might put their depth and resilience to the test.
Potential AFCON Headache Looms for Wolves
In December 2025, the next Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) will kick off in Morocco, running from December 21 through January 18, 2026. This tournament could seriously impact Wolves’ campaign, as five of their current players are likely to be called up to represent their respective national teams.
These players include:
– **Rayan Ait-Nouri** (Algeria)
– **Boubacar Traore** (Mali)
– **Emmanuel Agbadou** (Ivory Coast)
– **Nasser Djiga** (Burkina Faso)
– **Marshall Munetsi** (Zimbabwe)
Additionally, **Tawanda Chirewa**, who is currently on loan at Huddersfield Town, represents Zimbabwe internationally. However, he hasn’t yet cemented himself as a first-team regular for Wolves, so his absence would be less impactful.
Agbadou, despite not featuring in Ivory Coast’s last AFCON-winning squad, played a key role in their qualification campaign, starting in five out of six matches. This makes his inclusion in the upcoming tournament highly probable. Djiga also played a pivotal part in Burkina Faso’s qualifying journey, featuring in half of their games, with the team being the first to secure their spot for the finals, aside from host nation Morocco.
Squad Uncertainty Ahead of AFCON
While the AFCON tournament presents potential selection headaches, a lot can change between now and December.
Wolves will need to focus on securing their Premier League status, as failing to do so could trigger a player exodus, particularly with talents like Ait-Nouri and Agbadou attracting transfer interest.
In Ait-Nouri’s case, he’s expected to be a hot commodity in the summer transfer market regardless of Wolves’ league status, meaning there’s a real possibility he could be playing for another club by the time AFCON kicks off.
If all five players remain with Wolves beyond the summer, their simultaneous absence during such a crucial part of the season could pose significant challenges. This would leave gaps in both midfield and defense, potentially stretching the squad thin during a period packed with fixtures.
The Road Ahead**
Ultimately, Wolves’ ability to navigate this situation will depend heavily on their performance in the coming months. If they’re in a strong Premier League position and have adequate squad depth, the AFCON absences may be manageable. However, if they’re struggling near the relegation zone or lack sufficient cover, the tournament could become a major stumbling block in their 2025/26 campaign.
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