Wolves are facing losing Boubacar Traore and Rayan Ait-Nouri to AFCON in January.
The youngsters’ nations – Mali and Algeria – have both sealed qualification for the finals in the Ivory Coast.
The tournament will run from January 13 – February 11.
Mali sealed their qualification after topping their group with 15 points from their six games.
Algeria also won their group, taking 16 points from their six.
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Now, Wolves face losing two of their brightest young talents in the middle of the season…
Wolves face losing Ait-Nouri and Traore to AFCON
As a result of Mali and Algeria both qualifying, Wolves may now lose two players for a couple of weeks at least.
Traore hasn’t actually been capped by the senior Mali side yet. But there has been an expectation that he will be called up having been a fairly prominent figure at youth level. He has been wearing the captain’s armband for the U23s in recent times.
French-born Ait-Nouri has only accrued three caps for Algeria so far, after switching his allegiance back in January of this year.
The youngster is a very exciting young talent and will surely be making Algeria’s final squad.
From a Wolves perspective it is not ideal for the club to potentially lose two fine young talents.
But there is a decent level of cover within the squad.
Hugo Bueno, Jonny Castro Otto and Toti Gomes can all fill in at left-back/left wing-back.
And then in midfield, there is Mario Lemina – who won’t be going to AFCON after Gabon didn’t qualify – Joao Gomes, Tommy Doyle, Joe Hodge. Matheus Cunha and Pablo Sarabia are also options to play as attacking midfielders.