The Top Five teams to be hit by the African Nations

1. Newcastle
 Sitting in seventh place, Newcastle will get the biggest blow from the African Nation’s cup storm. The absence of   Striker Demba Ba (Senegal) and midfielder Chieke Tiote (Ivory Coast) could cause the team from Tyneside trouble in climbing the table during this January period. Ba, who has already scored 15 goals in 20 appearances this season, has also bagged over 60% of the Magpies’ goals.  In the middle of the park,  Tiote has been the man helping out the defenders by keeping their mean streak and will also be amply missed. While it might be a bit easier to fill the gap in the middle of the park, the goals might just dry up for Newcastle as Leon Best, with three goals from 14 games and Shola Ameobi, one goal from 12 games are the men looking to replace the Senegalese.

Ba is already on is way to join his national team.


2. QPR
 Neil Warnock and his bandits must be cursing the African Nation’s Cup for its bad timing; sitting just outside the relegation zone, the rangers must be bracing themselves for the blow.  The London club will lose influential Midfielder Adel Taarabt (Morocco) and experienced defender Armond Troare (Senegal). Already experiencing a poor run off form and with the big spending owners breathing down his neck, Warnock might have no other choice but to look to the transfer window, in a period that could decide whether or not his team remain in the Barclay’s Premier League for another season.

3. Manchester City
The “noisy neighbours” will be without the Toure brothers and this could be a real test to their title credentials. Yaya Toure, who plays in the middle of the park, has featured in every league game this season, contributing a total of three goals and four assists. His replacement should be Nigel Dejong, but while the Dutch man is equal defensively, he might lack that attacking zest and this might just hurt city in big games to come. Kolo on the other hand, has mostly been used as a substitute but is a very important squad player, should anyone at the back get injured. With Kolo away, Mancini must be keeping his fingers crossed and praying for his safe return.
 
Yaya Could be irreplaceable.

4. Chelsea
 The men from Stamford Bridge will be without their Ivorian’s Didier Drogba and out of favour Salomon Kalou during this period. While Drogba has not been in the greatest form of late, the towering striker’s presence is enough to cause problems for defenders and create opportunities for his fellow team-mates.  Drogba’s absence, however, could be the do-or-die moment for an out a form Fernando Torres. With Drogba away, Torres should have a handful of games to prove his worth at the bridge.

5. Arsenal
 The Gunners lost attacking duo Marouane Chamakh (Morocco) and Gervinho (Ivory Coast) to the African Nations Cup. However, with Robin Van Persie scoring at will, this damage seems to be minimal. Arsene Wenger has already braced himself for this impact with the return of Arsenal legend, Thierry Henry, so Chamakh seems to be replaced already. The absence of Gervinho’s witty foot works and pace, however, could still be troublesome