Mahrez, Mendy and Aubameyang among Afcon winners to quit international duty

An era ends for Afcon greats

Some big-name players have called time on their international careers since the World Cup, with several of them former Afcon winners.

Senegal are looking for a new number one after Edouard Mendy hung up his goalkeeping gloves. The 34-year-old helped the Teranga Lions become champions at the 2021 and 2025 tournaments — even if the latter title is still disputed at the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

Wing wizard Riyad Mahrez, who captained Algeria to the trophy in 2019, has quit international duty while Ivory Coast will have to cope without midfielders Seko Fofana and Jean-Michael Seri. Ellyes Skhiri has also called time on his international career and will not be involved as Tunisia aim to reach a record-extending 18th consecutive Afcon.

Meanwhile, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has stepped back from Gabon duty, saying he felt "humiliated" by his treatment after their exit at the previous tournament. The 37-year-old was excluded from the national team set-up after their group-stage exit. That sanction was later lifted, but Aubameyang ruled himself out of Sebastien Migne's Panthers squad despite his fine start to the season with Deportivo La Coruna.