Sheffield Wednesday star, Yan Valery, saw his Africa Cup of Nations dream come crashing down in dramatic fashion on Saturday night.

The full back, who has often been utilised as a midfielder by the Owls this season, was almost ever-present for the Eagles of Carthage during AFCON 2025, and once more was handed a starting berth by Sami Trabelsi as they took on Mali in their Round of 16 fixture this weekend.

The North Africans were favourites going into the clash, and a 26th minute red card for Mali’s Woyo Coulibaly put them firmly in the driving seat. It was a tightly-fought affair though, as the Les Aigles held on, only for Firas Chaouat to score what everyone thought was the winner in minute 88.

Yan Valery is out of AFCON 2025

Tom Saintfiet’s men weren’t giving up, however, and won themselves a penalty deep into stoppage time - a penalty that was converted by Lassine Sinayoko to take the game into extra time. Despite their one-man advantage, the Tunisians couldn’t take control of the game and after 120 minutes played the tie went to penalties.

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Valery wasn’t on the field to take one having been brought off for Mohamed Ben Ali in the 111th minute, so he could only watch on in dismay as his side - including the man he was replaced by - fluffed their lines from 12 yards out. It ended 3-2 in the shootout.

But the drama wasn’t over yet for the Tunisians, and it was revealed shortly after the game that Trabelsi had been fired by the Fédération Tunisienne de Football because of their poor performances, leaving question marks over who will lead them into the World Cup later this year. Valery will be hoping that the new manager, whoever it may be, will still see him as a regular part of things within the national team so that he can make make sure he’s on the plane to North America in six months’ time.

The 26-year-old will now return to Sheffield to join up with Henrik Pedersen and his Owls teammates next week, and with injuries mounting the aim will be to get him back in the mix in blue and white as soon as possible.