Premier League returnees Sunderland FC are set to lose most players to the forthcoming 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.

Sunderland have been the surprise package of the 2025-26 season, frustrating bigger clubs in the English top flight.

The Black Cats are sitting fourth on the Premier League standings with five wins and four draws under French manager Regi Le Bris.

Sunderland’s seven African stars are expected to leave in December to join their respective countries.

They are Morocco winger Chemsdine Talbi, Senegal midfielder Habib Diarra, Mozambique full-back Reinildo, Ivory Coast winger Simon Adingra, Burkina Faso forward Bertrand Traore, and DR Congo pair Arthur Masuaku and Noah Sadiki.