AFCON: How and when to watch Noah Sadiki, Habib Diarra, and Sunderland teammates in action

After months of anticipation, the African Cup of Nations is finally upon us, with several Sunderland players set to take part.

With the exception of Habib Diarra, who is expected to travel in the coming days, the Black Cats’ international contingent have already met up with their respective squads, and will be hoping to play their way deep into a tournament that is scheduled to run until January 21st.

There have already been nods to their Wearside connections too, with the likes of Noah Sadiki and Arthur Masuaku both posing for a photo with their DR Congo teammates in which the pair can be seen wearing Sunderland shirts.

But for those Mackems eager to keep track of their exploits in Morocco over the coming days and weeks, how and when can they follow along from back home? Here’s everything you need to know...

Which Sunderland players will head to AFCON?

Sunderland will lose several key players to this year’s AFCON, with DR Congo duo Noah Sadiki and Arthur Masuaku, Senegal midfielder Habib Diarra, Mozambique defender Reinildo Mandava, Morocco winger Chemsdine Talbi, and Burkina Faso attacker Bertrand Traore all set to participate. Ivory Coast winger Simon Adingra was a shock omission from his national squad, meaning that he will remain on Wearside in a welcome boost to Regis Le Bris.

When can I watch Sunderland’s AFCON stars in action?

With so many of Sunderland’s international stars in action, there will be ample opportunity to watch them over the coming days. On Sunday at 7pm, Chemsdine Talbi will be part of host nation Morocco’s squad as they take on Comoros in the tournament curtain raiser, while DR Congo pair Noah Sadiki and Arthur Masuaku both look set to feature against Benin on Tuesday at 12.30pm.

Elsewhere, Habib Diarra - who will jet off to link up Senegal after Sunderland clash with Brighton on Saturday afternoon, all being well - will get his campaign underway later on Tuesday, at 3pm, while Bertrand Traore and Reinildo Mandava are both set to play on Christmas Eve. The former will feature for Burkina Faso against Equitorial Guinea at 12.30pm, and the latter will likely be a key figure for Mozambique in their first group stage clash against Ivory Coast.

How can I watch AFCON for free?

Viewers in the UK can watch AFCON in its entirety by keeping across Channel 4’s network of channels and online streaming options. The tournament will see 24 teams contest 52 matches, all of which will be broadcast on either Channel 4, E4, 4Seven, Streaming, or the Channel 4 Sport YouTube.

Speaking about securing the rights to the competition, Pete Andrews, Head of Sport at Channel 4 said: “Bringing the excitement and drama of the African Cup of Nations exclusively to UK free-to-air television for the first time is such a compelling proposition for Channel 4. So many Premier League stars will be playing in the tournament and having Liverpool legend Mo Salah on Channel 4 on Boxing Day, when traditional Premier League football coverage has been reduced elsewhere, means football fans will still be able to get their thrill of festive fixtures.”

What is the full schedule for the AFCON group stage?

Coverage of the 2025 AFCON begins on Sunday, December 21st, with the group stage fixtures airing as follows:

• 21 December - Morocco v Comoros - 19:00 - E4 / Channel 4 Streaming
• 22 December - Mali v Zambia - 14:00 - 4Seven / Channel 4 Streaming
• 22 December - South Africa v Angola - 17:00 - 4Seven / Channel 4 Streaming
• 22 December - Egypt v Zimbabwe - 20:00 - 4Seven / Channel 4 Streaming
• 23 December - DR Congo v Benin - 12:30 - 4Seven / Channel 4 Streaming
• 23 December - Senegal v Botswana - 15:00 - 4Seven / Channel 4 Streaming
• 23 December - Nigeria v Tanzania - 17:30 - 4Seven / Channel 4 Streaming
• 23 December - Tunisia v Uganda - 20:00 - 4Seven / Channel 4 Streaming
• 24 December - Burkina Faso v Equatorial Guinea - 12:30 - 4Seven / Channel 4 Streaming
• 24 December - Algeria v Sudan - 15:00 - 4Seven / Channel 4 Streaming
• 24 December - Côte d'Ivoire v Mozambique - 17:30 - 4Seven / Channel 4 Streaming
• 24 December - Cameroon v Gabon - 20:00 - 4Seven / Channel 4 Streaming
• 26 December - Angola v Zimbabwe - 12:30 - 4Seven / Channel 4 Streaming
• 26 December - Egypt v South Africa - 15:00 - Channel 4 / Streaming
• 26 December - Zambia v Comoros - 17:30 - 4Seven / Channel 4 Streaming
• 26 December - Morocco v Mali - 20:00 - 4Seven / Channel 4 Streaming
• 27 December - Benin v Botswana - 12:30 - 4Seven / Channel 4 Streaming
• 27 December - Senegal v DR Congo - 15:00 - 4Seven / Channel 4 Streaming
• 27 December - Uganda v Tanzania - 17:30 - 4Seven / Channel 4 Streaming
• 27 December - Nigeria v Tunisia - 20:00 - 4Seven / Channel 4 Streaming
• 28 December - Gabon v Mozambique - 12:30 - 4Seven / Channel 4 Streaming
• 28 December - Equatorial Guinea v Sudan - 15:00 - 4Seven / Channel 4 Streaming
• 28 December - Algeria v Burkina Faso - 17:30 - 4Seven / Channel 4 Streaming
• 28 December - Côte d'Ivoire v Cameroon - 20:00 - 4Seven / Channel 4 Streaming
• 29 December - Angola v Egypt - 16:00 - 4Seven / Channel 4 Streaming
• 29 December - Zimbabwe v South Africa - 16:00 - Channel 4 Sport YouTube
• 29 December - Zambia v Morocco - 19:00 - 4Seven / Channel 4 Streaming
• 29 December - Comoros v Mali - 19:00 - Channel 4 Sport YouTube
• 30 December - Uganda v Nigeria - 16:00 - 4Seven / Channel 4 Streaming
• 30 December - Tanzania v Tunisia - 16:00 - Channel 4 Sport YouTube
• 30 December - Botswana v DR Congo - 19:00 - Channel 4 Sport YouTube
• 30 December - Benin v Senegal - 19:00 - 4Seven / Channel 4 Streaming
• 31 December - Equatorial Guinea v Algeria - 16:00 - 4Seven / Channel 4 Streaming
• 31 December - Sudan v Burkina Faso - 16:00 - Channel 4 Sport YouTube
• 31 December - Gabon v Côte d'Ivoire - 19:00 - 4Seven / Channel 4 Streaming
• 31 December - Mozambique v Cameroon - 19:00 - Channel 4 Sport YouTube

What has Sunderland head coach Regis Le Bris said about AFCON?

Speaking ahead of this year’s tournament, Sunderland head coach Le Bris insisted that his side have the requisite strength in depth to deal with the challenges of losing so many players at once.

In a recent press conference, he said: “First of all, we wish them the best because I think it's really important for them to play with their national teams. I think we still have a strong core in this group with great experience, good confidence at the minute, 26 points, which is useful for the next fixtures. After that, some of the players didn't play a lot and they will have opportunities to show their qualities. I believe that we have good players right now on the bench and they will show that they can help the squad.”

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