Ten African Football Stars to Keep Eye on at Upcoming 2023 AFCON
12:20 07.01.2024 (Updated: 12:21 07.01.2024)
© AP Photo / Themba Hadebe
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In less than a week, Africa will witness the glory of the 34th edition of the CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Côte d'Ivoire. This highly anticipated football competition brings together 24 national teams from across the continent every two years to compete for the coveted trophy.
The upcoming AFCON will not only a showcase of the strength of Africa's national football teams and the skills of their coaches, but also a spotlight on the individual skills of each player.
From Saturday, January 13 to Sunday, February 11, 2024, viewers will be treated to an array of African football talent. In this list, Sputnik Africa presents 10 African football stars who are expected to shine at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations:
1. Sadio Mane (Senegal)
© AFP 2023
The best player of the last edition, Sadio Mane, 31, will once again be in the spotlight as he captains the Lions of Teranga in their title defense. Despite a move to Saudi Arabia last summer, the 31-year-old striker is still in fine form and will lead a Senegalese side with ambitions of retaining the trophy.
2. Mohamed Salah (Egypt)
Liverpool's Mohamed Salah celebrates scoring his side's 2nd goal during the English Premier League soccer match between Liverpool and Brentford at Anfield stadium in Liverpool, England, Sunday, Nov. 12, 2023.
© AP Photo / Jon Super
A prolific scorer for both Liverpool and Egypt, Mo Salah, 31, continues to lead his national team with his goalscoring prowess and is once again a force to be reckoned with on the world stage.
3. Serhou Guirassy (Guinea)
Stuttgart's Serhou Guirassy kicks a freekick during a German Bundesliga soccer match between FSV Mainz 05 and VfB Stuttgart in Mainz, Germany, Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023.
© AP Photo / Michael Probst
The center forward's resurgence in Germany sets the stage for Sehrou Guirassy, 27, to shine at the AFCON finals and play a crucial role for the Syli de Guinee.
4. Sebastien Haller (Côte d'Ivoire)
Dortmund's Sebastien Haller celebrates after scoring his side's second goal during the German Bundesliga soccer match between FC Augsburg and Borussia Dortmund at the WWK Arena in Augsburg, Germany, Sunday, May 21, 2023.
© AP Photo / Matthias Schrader
Playing in front of the Ivorian team, the 30-year-old Haller will be looking to use his maturity and home advantage to make an impact at Africa's premier showpiece for the second time.
5. Mohamed Amoura (Algeria)
Union SG's Mohamed Amoura celebrates after scoring his sides first goal during the Europa League Group E soccer match between Union St. Gilloise and Toulouse at the Anderlecht stadium in Brussels, Thursday, Sept. 21, 2023.
© AP Photo / Geert Vanden Wijngaert
A rising star in Algeria's national team, Amoura, 23, is making a strong case to lead his country in a major competition and showcase the talent he has honed with his Belgian club.
6. Victor Osimhen (Nigeria)
Napoli's Nigerian forward Victor Osimhen celebrates after scoring the second goal during the Italian Serie A football match Frosinone vs Napoli at the Benito Stirpe stadium in Frosinone, on August 19, 2023.
© AFP 2023 FILIPPO MONTEFORTE
Fresh from being named African Player of the Year, Osimhen, 25, leads Nigeria's potent attack and carries the weight of his recent accolades on the continental stage.
7. Azzedine Ounahi (Morocco)
Marseille's Azzedine Ounahi tries control the ball during the French League One soccer match between Olympique de Marseille and Rennes at the Velodrome stadium in Marseille, France, Sunday, Dec. 3, 2023.
© AP Photo / Daniel Cole
The 24-year-old midfielder's presence in a star-studded Atlas Lions side offers him the opportunity to reaffirm his standing and influence with his technique and versatility.
8. Vincent Aboubakar (Cameroon)
Cameroon's forward #10 Vincent Aboubakar celebrates scoring his team's second goalduring the Qatar 2022 World Cup Group G football match between Cameroon and Serbia at the Al-Janoub Stadium in Al-Wakrah, south of Doha on November 28, 2022.
© AFP 2023 ANNE-CHRISTINE POUJOULAT
The captain and talisman of the Indomitable Lions, the 31-year-old striker's mental toughness and goalscoring prowess will see him lead his team to their sixth star.
9. Mohammed Kudus (Ghana)
Ghana's midfielder #20 Mohammed Kudus reacts after being fouled by Uruguay's goalkeeper #23 Sergio Rochet (not seen) during the Qatar 2022 World Cup Group H football match between Ghana and Uruguay at the Al-Janoub Stadium in Al-Wakrah, south of Doha on December 2, 2022.
© ALFREDO ESTRELLA
The energetic 23-year-old winger has been a standout performer in England's Premier League, and his explosive pace and goalscoring ability are expected to help Ghana in their quest for an elusive fifth title.
10. Peter Shalulile (Namibia)
Namibia's Peter Shalulile (R) celebrates scoring his team's first goal during the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (CHAN) Group C qualifier match between Cameroon and Namibia at Stade Ahmadou Ahidjo in Yaounde on March 24, 2023.
© AFP 2023 DANIEL BELOUMOU OLOMO
The 30-year-old striker is currently enjoying a stellar career with Mamelodi Sundowns in South Africa, where he recently won the inaugural African Football League title and is a key member of the team's bid for a second CAF Champions League gold medal.
These are just ten of the African stars who could shine at AFCON 2023 in Côte d'Ivoire. Representing the diversity, talent and passion of African football, they are sure to put on a show that will make the tournament exciting and competitive. Don't miss your chance to see them in action from January 13 to February 11, 2024.
The 2023 AFCON tournament, also known as CAN, was originally scheduled for June-July 2023, but was moved due to concerns about the rainy season. The defending champions are Senegal, who won their first title in 2023. The 24 qualified teams are Algeria, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Comoros, Congo, DR Congo, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Ivory Coast, Mali, Mauritania, Morocco, Mozambique, Nigeria, Senegal, Tunisia, Zambia.
