Napoli hope Anguissa chooses club over Africa Cup of Nations | OneFootball

The Azzurri club is preparing a contract renewal and is considering the possibility, still remote but real, that the Cameroonian might forgo the Africa Cup of Nations to remain available for Conte. This is discussed by Corriere dello Sport.

Napoli, Anguissa between renewal and Africa Cup of Nations: the club hopes for the sacrifice of its symbolic midfielder

The major maneuvers at Napoli have begun. André-Frank Zambo Anguissa, a pillar of the Azzurri midfield, is at the center of a dual negotiation that could define the season: the contract renewal and the possible forgoing of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.

A possibility still to be verified, but which – according to Corriere dello Sport – cannot be completely ruled out.

The hypothesis would be linked to the desire of the player and the club to maintain technical continuity during a crucial phase of the season. Napoli, already without Kevin De Bruyne due to injury, cannot afford to lose its most valuable tactical balance.

A difficult but not impossible choice

The Africa Cup of Nations, scheduled from December 21 to January 18 in Morocco, represents an event of enormous prestige for Anguissa's Cameroon. But at the same time, for Napoli, it would mean facing over a month without one of its most decisive players.

“He could also reflect harmoniously with everyone on the opportunity to forgo the Cup,” writes Fabio Mandarini in Corsport, highlighting how it is an eventuality “difficult but not impossible.”

The coming weeks will therefore be decisive: between the league, Champions League, and renewal negotiations, everything revolves around a single figure, that of the Cameroonian midfielder.

Napoli considers alternatives: Mainoo among the names on the list

Meanwhile, the Azzurri management is moving in the market.

For January, in case Anguissa leaves for the Cup, the club is considering Kobbie Mainoo from Manchester United, a possible loan target. However, replacing the Cameroonian is not simple: his physical strength, game vision, and ability to balance phases remain rare qualities.

As sources close to the club emphasize, “there is no one else like him.”

Precisely for this reason, the hope is that the player – in agreement with the Cameroonian Federation – can find a solution that reconciles Napoli's needs and national pride.

From the African press: “If he were European, he would be the best midfielder in the world”

In Cameroon, the perspective is quite different. The newspaper ActuCameroun praises Anguissa, calling him “pride of the Lions” and poses a provocation: “If he were European or Brazilian, today he would be considered the best midfielder in the world.”

Born in Yaoundé, raised in Cotonsport Garoua, Anguissa made the leap to Europe with Stade Reims, then firmly established himself at Olympique Marseille and finally at Napoli.

His rise tells the story of a talent built with discipline and inner strength, now recognized as one of the most complete in the international scene.

“Conte is a winner, but calm is needed on the field”

After the recent victory against Lecce, in which he scored the decisive goal and won the Man of the Match award (the fifth in nine seasonal games), Anguissa spoke about his relationship with Antonio Conte.

“We know the coach has that grit and competitiveness that always pushes you to the maximum,” he stated.

“Sometimes you also need to stay calm and manage the game. I understand that for him, on the sidelines, it's difficult because he always wants to win.”

Words that reflect the maturity of a player now a technical and mental leader of this Napoli, capable of interpreting his coach's thoughts but also imposing his own personality on the field.

Anguissa, the cornerstone of the Conte project

In just nine league games, Anguissa has already demonstrated total influence: five Man of the Match recognitions, consistent performance, and an irreplaceable tactical role.

Conte considers him his balancer, the key that unites aggression and quality in the play.

Napoli knows that losing him, even for just a month, would mean reassessing the team's balance.

This is why the decision on the Africa Cup of Nations will have strategic weight.

In any case, the priority remains the contract renewal, a sign of mutual trust and centrality in the Azzurri project.

A future yet to be written

In the coming weeks, Anguissa's fate will be defined between the field, negotiations, and personal evaluations.

Whether he chooses to honor Cameroon in the Africa Cup of Nations or to stay with Napoli during the most intense moment of the season, one thing is certain: Anguissa is and remains the beating heart of this Napoli.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇮🇹 here.