Everton to lose African Cup quartet

Everton boss David Moyes is already bracing himself for losing four key men at the same time in the New Year when the African Nations Cup gets underway.

Joseph Yobo, Ayegbeni Yakubu, Victor Anichebe and Steven Pienaar are all likely to be involved in the January event, and that could see them missing up to six Everton matches.

Nigeria’s 2-0 win over Lesotho last week confirmed their place in the, which are being held in Ghana, and that could involve Yobo, Yakubu and Anichebe, now the youngster has opted to play for Nigeria and not England.

They will now be joined by Pienaar after South Africa qualified over the weekend as one of the best runners-up.