Bournemouth striker Benik Afobe pulls out of this month’s African Cup of Nations to focus on club football
Striker swapped England for DR Congo back in March, but will now not travel to tournament in Gabon for Cherries' sake
BOURNEMOUTH striker Benik Afobe has pulled out of this month's African Cup of Nations to focus on his club football.
The Cherries man, 23, swapped his international allegiance from England to DR Congo in March 2016 - but is yet to play for the African outfit.
Afobe was named in DR Congo's provisional squad last month - while Everton's former Crystal Palace winger Yannick Bolasie missed out due to injury.
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However, the Bournemouth ace has now decided to pull out of the African Cup of Nations in order to keep his club form alive, having only recently been instilled in Eddie Howe's starting XI.
Afobe only started his third game of the season on Saturday, when he scored in the 3-0 drubbing of hapless Swansea at the Liberty Stadium.
Following the game and on the back of a strong personal performance, Afobe noted his desire to repay the faith shown in him by Howe.
The former Arsenal forward said: "The manager showed faith in me by starting me and I wanted to repay him with a goal, so I'm happy.
"The goal was a great relief and a goal at a crucial time.
"The lads have been helping me a lot and I want to improve personally."
Now it appears Afobe is so anxious to keep his place, he has even gone to the extreme of making himself unavailable for AFCON duty.
The English-born striker will next get the chance to lead the Cherries line on Tuesday evening, when Bournemouth host Arsenal at the Vitality Stadium.