The 34th edition of the CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) is about to commence in Ivory Coast, with the hosts facing Guinea-Bissau on January 13 at the Alassane Ouattara Stadium in Abidjan.
Senegal, the defending champions, clinched victory in the previous edition by defeating Egypt in a penalty shootout in Cameroon.
- Victor Osimhen (Nigeria, 25)
It’s impossible not to mention the Best African Player of the Year in this conversation. Victor Osimhen, fresh from his recent recognition as the best African footballer, is basking in his newfound status on the continental stage.
He’s renowned for his goal-scoring ability, athleticism, and versatility on the field, making him the focal point of Nigeria’s formidable attacking lineup.
Osimhen took the football world by storm last season when he finished as Serie A’s top scorer, helping Napoli secure their first league title since 1990.
At 25 years old, he has already netted 20 goals in 27 appearances. Nigeria boasts plenty of attacking talent, but the 2023 African Player of the Year will undoubtedly lead the Super Eagles in goal-scoring.
- Sadio Mané (Senegal, 31)
The standout player from the previous edition, Sadio Mané of the Lions of Teranga, will once again be the player to watch as he captains his team in their title defense this year. Despite moving to Saudi Arabia last summer, Mané has not lost his edge. He remains the guiding star and leader of a Senegalese squad aiming for a historic double.
Mané’s absence from the Senegal team during the Qatar 2022 World Cup had a profound impact. As reigning AFCON champions, the Lions of Teranga were expected to break through to the semifinals in the global event for the first time.
Without Mané, they lacked their usual spark and failed to repeat their previous best quarterfinal appearance, facing defeats in the group stage against the Netherlands and the round of 16 against England.
- Mohamed Salah (Egypt, 31)
Just as he has done in the last three finals, Mohamed Salah will be one of the main attractions on the shores of the Ebrié Lagoon. As a Liverpool star (ranking among the club’s top 5 scorers of all time) who consistently delivers a string of goals every weekend, Salah remains the leader of Egypt’s national team. Under his guidance, Egypt cruised through the qualifiers without a hitch.
For Egypt to add to their record seven continental titles, Mohamed Salah will need to shoulder the bulk of the responsibility. Egypt hasn’t won an AFCON title since 2010, and Salah ended up on the losing side in both the 2017 and 2021 finals.
Salah now has the opportunity to increase his tally of 53 goals, achieved in just 93 appearances.
- Mohammed Kudus (Ghana, 23)
A dynamic force for West Ham United in the English Premier League, Mohammed Kudus has set one of the world’s best leagues ablaze with his explosive speed, skill, and goal-scoring prowess.
The 23-year-old, who has scored 10 goals in 24 matches across all competitions for the Hammers, first caught the attention of European clubs when Danish side FC Nordsjaelland brought him from Ghana at the age of 17 – a relatively late start in today’s football landscape.
His ascent has been remarkable, culminating in a move to Ajax two years later. There, he made a significant impact during his three seasons in Amsterdam and at the 2022 World Cup.
Ghana anticipates the positive impact he can have, adding extra quality to their forward line alongside the Ayew brothers and Inaki Williams.
- Vincent Aboubakar (Cameroon, 31)
Over several competitions, Vincent Aboubakar has carried the hopes of the Indomitable Lions. He serves as Cameroon’s captain and a reliable goal-scorer. His mental fortitude and leadership will be pivotal in guiding his team toward a 6th star for Cameroon.
- Sehrou Guirassy (Guinea, 27)
The center-forward has experienced a resurgence in Germany this season, consistently finding the back of the net and rivaling other top Bundesliga strikers. Guirassy is undoubtedly the missing piece for Syli de Guinée to excel in the TotalEnergies AFCON finals.
- Sébastien Haller (Côte d’Ivoire, 30)
For his second TotalEnergies AFCON appearance, Sébastien Haller couldn’t have asked for a better scenario—playing on home turf, in front of fans who quickly embraced him from his initial steps with the Elephants. At 29 years old, Haller has reached maturity and aspires to make a significant impact at Africa’s premier football event in front of his supporters.
- Riyad Mahrez (Algeria, 32)
Mahrez captained Algeria to victory in the 2019 final against Senegal. However, a repeat in Ivory Coast seems unlikely. The winger achieved magic in the Premier League, winning the title with both Leicester City and Manchester City.
It was at Leicester where a tightly knit group of players, infused with star-studded magic, defied all odds to secure their first English top-flight crown since 1928-29. The 32-year-old, now with Al Ahli in the Saudi Pro League, boasts an impressive record of 30 goals in 89 appearances for Algeria.
- Youssef En-Nesyri (Morocco, 26)
In a different vein from Salah, Mané, and Osimhen, Youssef En-Nesyri’s performance in front of goal will likely be pivotal to Morocco’s ambitions. Their historic achievement of reaching the World Cup semifinals in Qatar left manager Walid Regragui with a clear mission: to win the 2023 AFCON. To achieve this, Morocco needs to find more goals.
While their defense is rock-solid, anchored by Sofyan Amrabat, their attack needs to find the net more consistently. Criticism has been directed at En-Nesyri, despite his 17 goals in 61 international matches. Regragui has emphasized the Seville striker’s work rate for the team as a crucial element of their success.
- Peter Shalulile (Namibia, 30)
Peter Shalulile is currently in the prime of his career with South Africa’s Mamelodi Sundowns. Fresh from securing the inaugural African Football League title and actively contributing to the team’s pursuit of a second TotalEnergies CAF Champions League gold medal, Shalulile will play a vital role for the Brave Warriors of Namibia in Cote d’Ivoire.
