In less than 24 hours' time, the 31st edition of the African Cup of Nations is set to kick off, with hosts Gabon taking on debutants Guinea-Bissau.
We have already taken a look at the four quartets: Group A, which includes Gabon, Guinea-Bissau, Burkina Faso and Cameroon; Group B, which includes Algeria, Tunisia, Senegal, and Zimbabwe; Group C, which includes reigning champs Ivory Coast, Togo, Morocco, and DR Congo, and Group D, which includes runners-up Ghana, Africa's most decorated side Egypt, Uganda, and Mali.
As is the case in any major tournament, there are inevitably always some notable names who miss out - whether it's due to injury, retirement, or, sometimes (as we see in the case of AFCON competitions, a refusal to join the squad due to other issues).
Let's have a look at some of the key faces who will not be taking part in the upcoming tournament, which kicks off this Saturday.
1. Yaya Toure
Club: Manchester City
National side: Ivory Coast
Not at AFCON 2017 because: International retirement
Despite his decline in recent years - and contentious relationship with current club Manchester City partly in thanks to his loudmouth agent - Yaya Toure is still regarded as among one of the finest footballers Africa has ever produced.
The 33-year-old, who has been seeing some game-time under Pep Guardiola after a long exile, was part of the Ivory Coast squad at six AFCON tournaments (2006, 2008, 2010, 2012, 2013, and 2015). During that run, he played integral roles in the Elephants securing a runners-up spot in 2006 and in 2012, and most important, captained the side to glory in the 2015 edition, which was the country's first AFCON title win since 1992.
At club level, of course, he was part of the Barcelona squad that clinched a historic Sextuple in 2009 and played a vital role in Manchester City winning their first Premier League title in 44 years back in 2012.
Toure received 4 African Footballer of the Year prizes (2011, 2012, 2013, 2014) but will play no part at AFCON 2017 due to retiring from international duty last year
2. Gervinho
Club: Hebei China Fortune (Chinese Super League)
National side: Ivory Coast
Not at AFCON 2017 because: Injury
With 22 goals and 79 caps, Gervinho is one of Ivory Coast's most experienced players. Currently plying his trade for CSL outfit Hebei China Fortune, the ex-Arsenal and Roma man unfortunately misses out due to a knee injury that required surgery.
Gervinho was instrumental in his side's 2015 AFCON win (although he refused to watch the spot-kick shoot-out with Ghana) and was named in the team of the tournament after scoring two goals during the quarter and semi-finals against Algeria and DR Congo. Prior to his injury, he skippered his team to victory during an AFCON 2017 win over Mali back in 2017, and his pace and trickery surely will be something Michel Dussuyer wishes he had on hand for their title defense in Gabon.
3. Kwadwo Asamoah
Club: Juventus
National side: Ghana
Not at AFCON 2017 because: Injury recuperation
A versatile midfielder who can also deputize as a left-back, Kwadwo Asamoah is a two-time Ghana Player of the Year recipient (2012 and 2013) and has been a part of Juve's Scudetto winning squad since 2012. Injuries have not been kind to the former Udinese man, who has featured for the Black Stars at two World Cups (2010 and 2014) and four AFCON tournaments (2008, 2010, 2012, 2013), where he won a bronze and runners-up medal in the 2008 and 2010 competitions.
However, despite receiving a call-up from Avram Grant, he reportedly turned it down to focus on helping the Bianconeri and more important, continue his recovery from an on-going knee problem that has seen him miss large portions of the past few seasons.
Asamoah's injury struggles have led him to decide to focus on his club duties as opposed to also taking on international commitments
4. Joel Matip
Club: Liverpool
National side: Cameroon
Not at AFCON 2017 because: Declined call-up
Joel Matip is one of several players (along with Schalke's Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting, among others) who opted not to feature for Cameroon during this winter's AFCON tournament. The reason? To focus on club duties, naturally (as well as other ongoing disputes with the country's football association). Given that the competition does take place in January, which so happens to be right in the middle of most European leagues' seasons, it creates a major conflict for clubs and national squads - with players caught in the middle.
Matip, who was born in Germany, made his debut for Cameroon in 2010 in a friendly against Italy after declining to take part at the 2010 AFCON tournament. His first official competitive outing with the team was during the 2014 World Cup, where he scored one goal.
Matip, along with several others, has decided to stay with his club and not feature for Cameroon at AFCON 2017
5. Sofiane Feghouli
Club: West Ham
National side: Algeria
Not at AFCON 2017 because: Excluded from squad
Sofiane Feghouli's exclusion from the Algerian squad raised some major eyebrows, especially considering his overall solid showings for his club so far this term. In addition, the midfielder made history back at the 2014 World Cup when he converted his spot-kick against Belgium. Despite losing the game, that goal marked Algeria's first World Cup goal in 28 years.
6. Sofiane Boufal
Club: Southampton
National side: Morocco
Not at AFCON 2017 because: Injury
Unfortunately, Southampton's Sofiane Boufal's AFCON tournament is over even before it started. The 23-year-old Paris-born attacker sustained an injury whilst in training with the team recently, and was set to make his first-ever AFCON appearance after earning his first-call up in March 2016 for a qualifier against Cape Verde. Prior to his injury, he had netted two goals in 15 appearances across all comps for Southampton.
7. Jeffrey Schlupp
Club: Leicester City
National side: Ghana
Not at AFCON 2017 because: Left out of final squad
Jeffrey Schlupp is another exclusion from AFCON 2017 that raised a few eyebrows. The Ghanaian, who was born in Germany, was part of Leicester's history-making title winning squad last season but was overlooked by current Black Stars manager Avram Grant. Instead, his Foxes colleague, Daniel Amartey, was given the nod. Schlupp, who is well known for his speed on the left-flank, actually started out as a striker earlier in his career. He's been part of Leicester City since joining the Foxes in 2005 as a youth, but is reportedly en route to Crystal Palace during this winter's transfer window.
8. Seydou Keita
Club: El Jaish SC (based in Qatar)
National side: Mali
Not at AFCON 2017 because: International retirement
Seydou Keita is another notable player who will not feature at AFCON 2017. The veteran midfielder represented his nation at seven AFCON tournaments and played a big role in helping the Eagles secure third place in 2012 and in 2013.
It goes without saying that Keita, who won 14 titles whilst at Barcelona, will be sorely missed in the middle of the park as Mali hope to find a way through a very tricky quartet comprised of Ghana, Egypt, and Uganda.
So there we have it: some of the players missing out on AFCON 2017 due to retirement, injury, exclusions (whether self-imposed or by the manager), and other issues. Are there others that come to mind that you did not see on this list?
