Enough of African players! Napoli president rules out signing players committed to Nations Cup

Napoli owner and president, Aurelio de Laurentiis, has said the Italian club will avoid signing any more African players unless they agree not to play in the Africa Cup of Nations.

Senegal defender Kalidou Koulibaly – now at Chelsea – and Cameroon midfielder Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa missed six Napoli games while on international duty at this year’s tournament, which took place in January and February.

“Enough of African players, or they should give up playing in the African Cup of Nations. I won’t be buying them any more for this reason,” De Laurentiis told a Wall Street Italia show.

Koulibaly and Zambo Anguissa missed Napoli’s 1-1 draw with Juventus in early January and the Coppa Italia defeat by Fiorentina, but the club then managed four league wins in their absence.

Meanwhile, Senegal won the Nations Cup for the first time, to spark wild celebrations back home, while host nation Cameroon finished third.

Koulibaly spent eight years at Napoli and responded to De Laurentiis’ comments by saying it is important to “respect everybody.

“You cannot speak about African national teams like this.

“You have to have respect, and as captain of Senegal it is not a good way to speak.

“If he thinks that the team can play without African players, it’s up to him. But I think not everybody has the same idea as him in the club, because I know their supporters and they don’t think like this,” the 31-centre-back told BBC Sport.

The timing of the Nations Cup – traditionally played in January and February – has led to repeated disputes with European clubs who are forced to release players in the middle of the season.

Former Arsenal and England striker Ian Wright said this year’s tournament in Cameroon was “disrespected” by some negative media coverage in the build-up.

Napoli’s only two Serie A titles came in 1987 and 1990 with a side inspired by Argentina great Diego Maradona, and De Laurentiis is taking a strong stance with his players in his quest to bring success back to Naples.

“We pay the salaries to send them around to play elsewhere in the middle of the league championship,” the 73-year-old added.

“Or they sign a waiver that for Afcon and the championships in South America [the Copa America], I cannot make them available to participate.”

The current rules of world governing body Fifa stipulate that players must be released for the Nations Cup despite its mid-season timing in Europe.

The next edition of the Nations Cup will be held in January and February 2024 in Ivory Coast, having been moved from its initial dates of June-July 2023 because of weather concerns.

The 2021 tournament was initially due to be staged in June and July last year, but similar concerns in Cameroon meant it was played at the start of this year.

Despite the departure of Senegal captain Koulibaly to the Premier League, Napoli still have three Africans on their books – having completed a permanent deal for Zambo Anguissa from Fulham in May.

But the club’s biggest star and record signing is fast-rising Nigeria striker Victor Osimhen, who missed the continental showpiece in Cameroon because of injury.