On 18 January, RPL players were involved in group stage matches of Asian Cup in Qatar and Africa Cup of Nations in Cote-d’Ivoire.

2023 AFC Asian Cup

Group B
India 0-3 Uzbekistan

One of two RPL players entered the field for Uzbekistan, and it was CSKA midfielder Abbos Fayzullaev; he spent 83 minutes and scored early goal after four minutes of play, made it with his head. This is third Fayzullaev goal for national team in eleven matches. Rubin defender Rustam Ashurmatov left on the bench.

Uzbekistan scored all three goals in the first half, and they led to first win at the tournament. Team earned four points in two matches, and they go second in the group standings, two points behind Australia. On 23 January, Uzbekistan and Australia will face each other for the first place in the group.

2023 Africa Cup of Nations

Group A
Equatorial Guinea 4-2 Guinea-Bissau

Pari NN striker Ze Turbo started the match against Equatorial Guinea on the bench but went on the pitch on 77th minute and scored in the added time when Guinea-Bissau was trailing 1-4. Player scored first ever goal at international level. Guinea-Bissau suffered two defeats in two matches and remained bottom of the group without points. The final match at the group stage Guinea-Bissau will play against Nigeria on 22 January.

Whom to follow on 19 January

At Asian Cup team Iran with Rostov midfielder Mohammad Mohebi will play second match in the group, their opponents are Hong Kong. Team Melli started the tournament with big 4-1 win against Palestina.

Two teams with RPL representatives will enter the matchday at Africa Cup of Nations. Cape Verde with Krasnodar midfielder Kevin Lenini will face Mozambique, while Cameroon with Dynamo forward Nicolas Moumi Ngamaleu will meet last competition winners Senegal. In the first round of the group stage Cape Verde with Lenini beat Ghana, and Cameroon without Ngamaleu shared points with Guinea.