How Bristol City’s former players have fared in Africa Cup of Nations - including a shock elimination

Former Bristol City goalkeeper Jojo Wollacott both had a tournament to remember and one to forget as his Africa Cup of Nations campaign came to an end.

Wollacott, who was on the books of the Robins for ten years but failed to make an appearance, left the club in the summer to join Swindon Town.

The Bristolian-born shot-stopper caught the attention of the Ghanian national team and was called up to their AFCON squad for this month’s tournament.

After an exponential rise, he started all three of their group stage matches but the Black Stars fell short of expectations and finished with just a point to their name.

Ghana, who were four-time winners of the competition lost to Morocco, drew with Gabon but then suffered a shock defeat to Comoros, who hadn’t scored a goal in the history of the competition.

Keen to put this month’s troubles behind him, the 25-year-old will now turn his attention to March’s World Cup play-offs as he hopes to represent his mum’s country of birth in Qatar in December.

In the short-term future, he could find himself in between the sticks for Saturday’s game against Bristol Rovers, though given the travelling back and lack of training with the club in the week, he could be afforded a rest. He would also have to return a negative COVID test if he was fully vaccinated.

There are two other ex-Robins players still involved in the tournament with one already through whilst the other is hopeful of pulling off a huge upset.

A once-record signing for City, Famara Diedhiou, who left them on a free transfer for Turkish outfit Alanyaspor has progressed to the Round of 16.

He missed their first two matches, a 1-0 win over Zimbabwe and a goalless draw with Guinea as a result of isolation after returning a positive COVID test.

Diedhiou though was afforded an 18 minute cameo appearance against Malawi though with his side finishing top of the group. They will play against Cape Verde in the knockouts on  Tuesday.

Hoping to join the Senegalese striker in the next round is Steven Caulker, who spent the 2010/11 season on loan at City.

Caulker, who had one senior appearance for England, has been playing for Sierra Leone, who are making their debut in the competition.

The 30-year-old was part of a defence that nullified Algeria, keeping Manchester City’s Riyad Mahrez quiet in a godless draw.

They also picked up an impressive point against the Ivory Coast, holding a side that boasts Wilfried Zaha, Eric Bailly, and Nicolas Pepe in their ranks.

They now stand a good chance of qualifying as they host Equatorial Guinea  in their final match, a win would ensure their passage into the next round.