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Roma's AFCON Dilemma: Ndicka & El Aynaoui's availability hangs in balance
14 Dec, 2025
Summary
- Two Roma players, Ndicka and El Aynaoui, await national team call-ups for Africa Cup of Nations.
- Their departure is scheduled for December 15th, impacting upcoming Serie A matches.
- Coach Gasperini is hopeful for their availability, but uncertainty remains high.
The availability of Roma players Evan Ndicka and Neil El Aynaoui for upcoming matches is currently uncertain as they await responses from the Ivory Coast and Moroccan football federations regarding their Africa Cup of Nations call-ups. Both players were scheduled to join their national team training camps on December 15th but have remained with the club, training at Trigoria.
The situation is fluid, with more clarity expected soon, potentially during Gasperini's press conference. While Morocco's tournament starts on December 21st and Ivory Coast's on December 24th, it's more likely Ndicka will be released sooner. However, their potential long-term absence due to their countries being strong contenders could significantly impact Roma's squad.
Regardless of the immediate outcome, Ndicka and El Aynaoui will certainly miss key fixtures, including the matches against Juventus on December 20th and Genoa on December 29th, excluding the game against Como. Coach Gasperini, however, is reportedly optimistic about having both players available.
