And Lucescu was right! Besiktas wonder what to do without the "African national team"

Turkish Besiktas are puzzling over what to do when the "African national team", as it was called by Dynamo head coach Mircea Lucescu, leaves the Istanbul club.

Vincent Aboubakar and Mircea Lucescu

There are eight Africans under contract at Besiktas: Vincent Aboubakar (Cameroon), Jean Onana (Cameroon), Rachid Ghezzal (Algeria), Omar Collie (Gambia), Arthur Masuaku (Congo), Jackson Muleka (Congo), Daniel Amartey (Ghana) Eric Bayi (Cote d'Ivoire). All of them are part of their national teams. And from 13 January to 11 February 2024, they are likely to be absent from Besiktas due to participation in the African Cup of Nations.

The columnist Adjanssror wondered how the line-up of the Istanbul team would look like during the month, because seven of the list (with the exception of Onan) are players of the starting line-up.

Having analysed different options, the author came to the conclusion that the post-New Year's prospects of Besiktas are very sad. Unless the club reinforces with very expensive players already in the winter transfer window.