Newcastle United striker Yoane Wissa has been omitted from the Democratic Republic of Congo’s squad for the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco. Wissa, who joined Newcastle in a £55 million deal on the final day of the summer transfer window, has not played for the club since suffering an injury during a World Cup qualifier against Senegal on September 9.

Although the 29-year-old has resumed training, the DR Congo football federation has confirmed that it is too late to add him to their AFCON squad. This decision comes as no surprise, given Wissa’s limited playing time this season. He has featured in only two games, both for DR Congo in the September World Cup qualifiers. Prior to his move to Newcastle, Wissa had barely trained with his former club Brentford during pre-season and missed all three of their Premier League matches as he pushed for a transfer.

The DR Congo squad, announced on Monday evening, includes several Premier League players, such as Arthur Masuaku and Noah Sadiki of Sunderland, Aaron Wan-Bissaka of West Ham, and Axel Tuanzebe of Burnley. Wissa’s omission from the squad is a significant blow, given his experience and potential contribution to the team.

The Africa Cup of Nations is a prestigious international football tournament, and the DR Congo team will face stiff competition in Morocco. The tournament is an important platform for African teams to showcase their skills and compete at the highest level. With Wissa’s absence, the DR Congo team will need to rely on their other players to fill the gap and make a strong impression in the tournament.

As the Africa Cup of Nations approaches, fans and supporters will be eagerly watching the teams’ preparations and performances. The tournament is expected to be closely followed by football enthusiasts around the world, and the DR Congo team’s journey will be of particular interest to African football fans. With their squad now finalized, the team will focus on their strategy and tactics as they gear up for the competition.