AFC Bournemouth manager, Andoni Iraola, has shed light on the decision to rest Antoine Semenyo during the November international window. The Ghanaian forward was omitted from the Black Stars squad for the final round of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers against Angola and Niger, a move aimed at addressing his physical condition.

Semenyo, who has been a key figure for the Cherries this season, is set to return to action in Bournemouth’s Premier League clash against Brighton later today. Iraola revealed that the 23-year-old, alongside teammate Milos Kerkez, required rest and treatment to maintain their performance levels amid a demanding schedule.

“With Antoine, it’s very similar to Milos’ case. They are players that are playing a lot of minutes. They are still young and playing with both the club and the national team,” Iraola explained.

“This was the only time they had to stop playing for at least some days, receive treatment, and try to solve the issues. They needed to improve their overall physical condition to continue meeting the very high demands because we are using them a lot,” he added.

Semenyo has featured 12 times in all competitions this season, scoring four goals. His contributions remain vital for Bournemouth as they navigate a challenging Premier League campaign.