The 2020 African Nations Championship was an international football tournament held in Cameroon from 16 January to 7 February 2021. The 16 national teams involved in the tournament were required to register a squad of up to 33 players, including at least three goalkeepers, an increase over the usual number of 23 players allowed. Only players in these squads were eligible to take part in the tournament. Unlike the Africa Cup of Nations, this tournament exclusively requires players to be registered to a club within their country to be eligible. Expatriate players, even if they play in Africa, cannot participate in the event.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic in Africa, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) allowed the 16 teams involved to register a list of up to 33 players (23-man normal squad and up to 10 extra players) in order that teams have available players in case players from their list of 23 with positive tests for SARS-CoV-2 are detected and require to be replaced during the tournament. However, the inclusion of the 10 extra players was optional and not mandatory. Each national team had to submit its list of 23 players and up to 10 optional extra players to CAF Secretary General until 6 January 2021 deadline, 10 days before the start of the tournament.[1][2]
The age listed for each player is on 16 January 2021, the first day of the tournament. A flag is included for coaches who are of a different nationality than their own national team. Players in cursive were registered as reserves.
The 23-man squad and 10 reserves were announced on 11 January 2021.[3][4] Forward Christian Mayo was ruled out due to injury and replaced by Hans Moussima.[5]
The 30-man squad was announced by CAF on 16 January 2021.[20] Congo's squad that traveled to Cameroon consisted of 25 players and was announced on 31 December 2020.[21][22] Reserve forward Judea Mouandzibi was called up to join the 25-man squad on 23 January 2021.[23]
The 33-man squad was announced by CAF on 16 January 2021.[24] Niger's squad in Cameroon consisted of 29 players and was announced on 16 January 2021.[25]
The 31-man squad was announced on 29 December 2020.[37][38] Midfielder Felix Bulaya and forward Roger Kola were ruled out due to administrative reasons.[39][40] On 7 January 2021, goalkeeper Allan Chibwe and defender Fackson Kapumbu were summoned to join the squad.[41] Forward Jonathan Munalula was also registered in the squad.[42] Eventually, on 15 January 2021, Zambia's squad was reduced to 28 players by the manager Milutin Sredojević,[43] with defender Fackson Kapumbu,[39] goalkeeper Richard Nyirenda and midfielder Chaniza Zulu being dropped.[44]
The 31-man squad was announced on 14 December 2020.[47] Defender Larry Horaeb was replaced by Charles Hambira.[48] Namibia's squad that traveled to Cameroon consisted of 28 players and was announced on 14 January 2021.[49]
