Rangers face a potentially devastating AFCON without four key forward players after the winter break should the latest transfer news be recognised.
The Ibrox side are already set to be without Zambian international forward Fashion Sakala for the tournament, but links to Nigeria pair Josh Maja and Cyriel Dessers, and Senegal international Abdallah Sima, present a winter dilemma.
Rangers are in desperate need of reinforcements for the frontline as they look to wrestle back silverware from the clutches of Old Firm rivals Celtic and the club needs all the help they can get.
Whilst we’re all expecting a more focused, disciplined and deadly Rangers next season, the phrase “the winter break” is enough to send a shudder down every Ibrox fan’s spine.
Rangers have shown a regular propensity to collapse under the pressure of the post-down season return and now AFCON could be about to heap additional pressure on the side.
Rangers 23/34 to lose four players to AFCON?
AFCON 2023 is set to take place between 13th January and 11th February and Rangers may well be without one or several attacking players for the tournament should the latest round of links be realised.
Fashion Sakala is a regular feature for Zambia, whilst Nigeria pair Cyriel Dessers and Josh Maja have been heavily linked with a move to Rangers this summer.
Should both players join, and be successful at Ibrox, then Dessers – not capped since September 2022 – and Josh Maja – not capped since 2019 – may well be considered for a recall.
Senegal international Abdallah Sima is another strongly linked with a move to Ibrox and the four-times capped attacker is another Rangers-linked star who may well secure an AFCON place off the back of Ibrox form.
It’s a daunting prospect for Rangers fans who’ve seen their side struggle to rebuild momentum after winter shutdowns in the past.
As Michael Beale rebuilds large chunks of the squad, fans will hope that devastating mentality is a thing of the past but with AFCON having the potential to disrupt the club’s shiny new forward line, it might well be put to a stern test this winter.
