Henrik Pedersen shares Sheffield Wednesday joke with Yan Valery and Sean Fusire after AFCON call-ups
Sheffield Wednesday have been forced to temporarily say goodbye to Yan Valery and Sean Fusire because of the Africa Cup of Nations.
Sheffield Wednesday manager Henrik Pedersen has joked that he hopes Tunisia and Zimbabwe “don’t win too many games” after Yan Valery and Sean Fusire were included in their respective squads for the Africa Cup of Nations [AFCON].
The Wednesday duo were recently included in their respective nations’ final squads for the tournament, meaning they will be absent from Hillsborough over the festive period at the very least.
The tournament is scheduled to start on Sunday when hosts Morocco take on Comoros. Zimbabwe will play their opening game on Monday evening, taking on Egypt, while Tunisia will get their AFCON campaign underway the following day, taking on Uganda on Tuesday evening.
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With Wednesday’s squad already down to the bare-bones, the AFCON, with respect, is an obstacle Pedersen could have done without. Valery, who missed Monday night’s 3-0 defeat to Derby County after the Owls were denied permission to delay his release for the tournament, has made 19 appearances this season, while Fusire has featured 18 times in the Championship alone.
Getting the opportunity to represent their respective countries at a major tournament is, of course, a landmark moment in the careers, and everyone associated with Wednesday will be hoping they flourish on the international stage, but it is a distraction the Owls could have done without this season amid the depleted nature of their squad.
And while Owls chief Pedersen has wished them nothing but the very best, he has joked with them that he hopes they don’t progress too far in the tournament amid his eagerness to get them back to Hillsborough as quickly as possible.
Pedersen hopes duo won’t be missing for long
"I told them both that I think they have to be very, very proud,” Pedersen told The Star. “They have to look forward, I wish them all the best, but that I hope they don't win too many games because it will take too long before they come back!
"I wish them all the best, but not that they win too many games!”
The AFCON group stage will draw to a close on December 31 with Zimbabwe concluding their group campaign against South Africa on December 29, while Tunisia will face Tanzania in their final first round game on December 30.
Zimbabwe, who are in Group B alongside Egypt, South Africa and Angola, are outsiders at the tournament, meaning many are tipping them to fall at the first hurdle and exit the competition before the end of December. If that situation transpires, it remains to be seen how quickly Fusire will return to Hillsborough and be available for selection.
Wednesday’s opening game of 2026 will see them travel to Deepdale to face Preston North End on January 1 before facing QPR at Loftus Road on January 4. The AFCON final is due to take place on January 18.