Sarr and Bissouma at the Africa Cup of Nations
This month, Pape Matar Sarr and Yves Bissouma will both be vying for the Africa Cup of Nations crown in Ivory Coast with their respective nations, Senegal and Mali.
Here's a look ahead to what the pair can expect in western Africa...
Defending their crown
Beginning with Pape Matar Sarr and Senegal, Pape's nation heads to Ivory Coast bidding to defend their title.
Back at the start of 2022, Senegal made history as they lifted their first ever Africa Cup of Nations with a penalty shootout victory over Egypt in the final.
Having finished as runners up in 2002 and 2019, the Teranga Lions went one better at the next attempt as Pape appeared at the tournament for the first time.
Now a regular starter for us, Pape was then on loan at former club FC Metz. And while he might have played just 12 minutes of the entire tournament, as he came on as a late substitute in their semi-final victory over Burkina Faso, he still played his part in history, and would love to help his nation to glory once more.
Mali mounting a challenge
While Senegal are the second-highest ranked side (according to the FIFA rankings - 20th in the world) in the competition, Yves Bissouma's Mali have been a rising footballing force in Africa over the last few years.
Going into the tournament sitting 51st in the world, they are the ninth-highest ranked side in the competition, occupying a place just behind the Ivory Coast and Cameroon.
Having finished runners-up at the Africa Nations Championship in 2020, they have enjoyed runs to the knockout stages in each of their last two appearances at the Africa Cup of Nations.
They have not reached a final at the tournament since 1972, and it goes without saying that Yves would love to be part of a run to the showpiece in Ivory Coast.
AFCON progress
Pape Matar Sarr and Yves Bissouma have both reached the knockout stages of the Africa Cup of Nations.
Beginning with Pape, his nation were the first to book their place in the round of 16 as they were they only team to record a perfect run in the group stage.
Defending their 2022 crown at the tournament, Senegal began with a 3-0 win over Gambia before Pape made his first ever start at the tournament and provided his maiden assist as his nations swepte Cameroon aside 3-1. That win sent them through before they concluded their perfect group-stage run with a 2-0 win over Guinea.
Yves Bissouma also helped his country to win their group. Claiming a 2-0 win over South Africa on matchday one, they then claimed draws with Tunisia (1-1) and Namibia (0-0) to cement top spot in Group E.
Pape and Senegal began their knockout stage campaign on Monday 29 January as they faced host nation, Ivory Coast. However, despite taking the lead in the game, they ultimately fell to Cote D'Ivoire 5-4 on penalties after a late equaliser from Franck Kessie.
Yves' Mali, meanwhile, will take on Burkina Faso on Tuesday 30 January in Mali's round of 16 tie.
If they both progress past their round of 16 ties, they will then face each other on Saturday 3 February,
Group C
Gambia
World ranking: 126
Head Coach: Tom Saintfiet
One to watch: Yankuba Minteh
Best AFCON finish: Quarter-finals (2021)
Point of interest: This will be just Gambia's second ever appearance at the tournament.
Cameroon
World ranking: 46
Head Coach: Rigobert Song
One to watch: Frank Anguissa
Best AFCON finish: Winners (1984, 1988, 2000, 2002 and 2017)
Point of interest: Former Spurs men Georges-Kevin Nkoudou and Clinton N'Jie are part of the squad
Guinea
World ranking: 80
Head Coach: Kaba Diawara
One to watch: Serhou Guirassy
Best AFCON finish: Runners-up (1976)
Point of interest: Guinea were once managed by Henri Stambouli (1998-99), father of former Spur Benjamin Stambouli
Senegal
World ranking: 20
Head Coach: Aliou Cissé
One to watch: Pape Matar Sarr (of course)
Best AFCON finish: Winners (2022)
Point of interest: Pape Matar Sarr will become the first ever Spurs player to appear at two AFCON tournaments while contracted to the Club
Group E
Tunisia
World ranking: 28
Head Coach: Jalel Kadri
One to watch: Ellyes Skhiri
Best AFCON finish: Winners (2004)
Point of interest: Tunisia have played at five of the last seven World Cups
South Africa
World ranking: 66
Head Coach: Hugo Broos
One to watch: Percy Tau
Best AFCON finish: Winners (1996)
Point of interest: We have had two former South Africa internationals o our books - Mbulelo Mabizela (2003-05) and Steven Pienaar (2011-12)
Namibia
World ranking: 115
Head Coach: Collin Benjamin
One to watch: Prins Tjiueza
Best AFCON finish: Runners-up (1976
Point of interest: The Premier League is yet to see a Namibian player
Mali
World ranking: 51
Head Coach: Éric Chelle
One to watch: Yves Bissouma (of course)
Best AFCON finish: Runners-up (1972)
Point of interest: Former Spurs forward Frédéric Kanouté is Mali's second-highest goalscorer of all time with 23 goals in just 39 games.
Which Spurs games could Pape and Yves miss?
While Pape and Yves are away with their respective national teams, there are a number of matches we will certainly have to play without them while, depending on their progress, there are further games we could be without the midfield duo.
Games the pair have missed
❌ Spurs 1-0 Burnley - FA Cup, third round - Friday 5 January
❌ Manchester United 2-2 Spurs - Premier League - Sunday 14 January
Games they could miss
❓ Spurs vs Man City - FA Cup, fourth round - Friday 26 January*
❓Spurs vs Brentford - Premier League - Wednesday 31 January*
❓Everton vs Spurs - Premier League - Saturday 3 February**
❓Spurs vs Brighton - Premier League - Saturday 10 February***
*If Mali/Senegal progress to the round of 16
**If Mali/Senegal progress to the quarter-finals
*** If Mali/Senegal progress to the semi-finals
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