Como’s Assane Diao lies on the ground after being injured during the Italian Serie A soccer match between AS Roma and Como 1907, in Rome, Italy, 15 December 2025. EPA/ETTORE FERRARI
Tuesday Dec 16, 2025. 13:08
Assane Diao faces an anxious wait to discover the extent of the injury he sustained during Como’s 1-0 defeat to Roma on Monday with the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations less than a week away.
The Senegal international was included in Pape Thiaw’s 28-man squad for the tournament which gets underway in Morocco on Sunday, December 21.
Diao had only just returned to action earlier this month after missing two Serie A games with a hamstring problem, while he was also unavailable for the opening six fixtures due to a foot injury.
Biancoblu head coach Cesc Fabregas revealed he had an “unpleasant” conversation with Thiaw about fielding the 20-year-old against the Giallorossi and his decision could prove costly.
Diao lasted just 37 minutes before being forced off with what appeared to be a muscular issue and he will be sweating on the result of scans which could ruled him out of AFCON.
The Lions of Teranga will kick off their title challenge against Botswana on December 23 before also taking on DR Congo and Benin in Group D.
