‘He shouldn’t go!’ – Senegal star urged to snub AFCON amid injury fears

Senegal international Assane Diao has been urged to snub the Africa Cup of Nations tournament as his club manager Cesc Fabregas believes it would be ‘illogical’ to play in tournament.

Diao has been limited to just four appearances in the Italian top-flight this season, as he continues to struggle with injury.

Having moved to Italy in January, Diao quickly established himself as a crucial member of Fabregas’ squad, securing eight goals and an assist in 15 Serie A appearances last season.

Assane Diao has become an important player in Como. (Photo by Ivan Romano/Getty Images)

However, he suffered a broken foot in April and missed out on their last five Serie A fixtures of the campaign as well as the initial stages of the 2025-26 season. Diao made a comeback in late October, where he played 45 minutes against Parma.

The Senegalese winger was slowly reintegrating him back into the lineup, but was called up to the Senegal team this month. Despite having an adductor issue, he participated in two training sessions for the African side, only to get further injured and return to Italy.

Diao has a hamstring injury, which will keep him out for a few games. As he continues his rehabilitation, Fabregas shares his concern about the player’s fitness ahead of the competition’s December 21 kick off.

“I don’t want to send him to the African Cup of Nations? For me it’s illogical,” he said. “He’s been out for seven months, he’s played three games, now he’s going to the national team, he’ll get injured and be out again. Then maybe he’ll go back to Senegal. In the player’s mind, you have to do things right. For me, it doesn’t make sense. They won’t care, but we want what’s best for the player. He shouldn’t go. He went to training camp with Senegal with a minor adductor problem and did two training sessions. Then he got injured and came back here. We’ll try to get him back with Inter, but it’s more likely that we’ll have him back with Roma.”

Como sit eighth in the Serie A table after 11 games, having lost just one match so far. They will be eager to continue their good form when they face Torino on Monday night.

A win against Torino would see them leapfrog Juventus into sixth.