African Cup of Nations; Ghana, January 20th through February 10th; 2008. 

With the signing of Yakubu; now how is his name going to be adapted into a chant? Everton FC has four African players in the squad, all likely to be traveling to Ghana. 

Yobo (Nigeria) will be a loss - our only loss this season was partially due to him being out with an injury. 

Anichebe (Nigeria) will not be too much of a loss; Vaughn should be back by then so we'd have Vaughn, Johnson, McFadden, and Jutkiewicz as attacking options. 

Yakubu (Nigeria) is harder to assess, if he is banging goals in and keeping Everton at the business end of the table then he'll be more a loss, although this will be dependent on what sort of season Johnson is having. 

Pienaar (South Africa) is on loan at Goodison but showed well in his first appearance, he could be a loss but it is too early to tell how much. 

Stephen Appiah (Ghana) is a target and he'd likely play for Ghana so he would be absent for the tournament.  Everton should have plenty of options in midfield though. 

But take a look at the games:-

Saturday, 12 January 2008

Everton v Man City

ACN or not I think Moyes will be fielding his strongest 11 against Man City, but the club versus country debate may be a factor. 

Currently City has no Africans playing for them. 

Saturday, 19 January 2008

Wigan v Everton

          So we'd likely miss Anichebe, Pienaar, Yakubu, Yobo (Appiah if he's a Toffee).  Might be a tough game but I don't think the African players will be that big of a loss.  

          Likely absentees are Camara (Senegal), Aghahowa (Nigeria), losses for Wigan but not crucial. 

Wednesday, 30 January 2008

Everton v Tottenham

          This is the one we'll miss our African players the most.  Of course we beat them at White Hart lane 3-1 but by then they could be pushing and shoving somewhere in the top six. 

          Likely absentees are Ghaly (Egypt), Zokora (Ivory Coast) and maybe Assou-Ekotto (Cameroon) ; no real big misses for the Dutchman. 

Saturday, 02 February 2008

Blackburn v Everton

          Given that Everton were cack playing Mark Hughes' side at home we should be better organized by then.  A tight game but winnable without any Africans. 

          Likely absentees are McCarthy (South Africa) and Mokoena (South Africa); potentially big losses for Sparky's side. 

Saturday, 09 February 2008

Everton v Reading

          This game shouldn't be too difficult.  Should be a bona fide three points unless we're at the wrong end of the table. 

          Likely absentees are Cisse (Mali), Sodje (Nigeria), Fae (Ivory Coast), Bikey (Cameroon); the big defender will bring a smile to Johnson's face.

Saturday, 23 February 2008

Man City v Everton

          A tough one and we'd probably miss out if it's a Nigeria v Ghana Final, but if the Final is Egypt v Angola we'd be better off.