Riyad Mahrez Algeria vs Sierra Leone Africa Cup of Nations 2021Getty Images

Mahrez, Ndidi, Partey & Gervinho: Big names set to miss 2023 Afcon qualifiers due to injury

The qualifying campaign for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, set to take place in Ivory Coast, begins on Wednesday with three matches on the cards.

Ghana, who last tasted Afcon victory 40 years ago, start their campaign against Madagascar while Angola host Central African Republic as Botswana visit Libya.

The first two rounds of the qualifiers, which will be played daily from June 1-9 with further fixtures on June 13, will be without a number of top players who are nursing injuries.

GOAL profiles the seven big names who did not win the fitness race for the June qualifiers.

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