FILE PHOTO: Sadio Maine kissing the Afcon Cup after Senegal won Africa's biggest competition. PICTURE: Getty Images
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0 JOHANNESBURG: These extraordinarily talented players can make things happen for their nations.
African football superstars who ply their trade all over the world are back on their home soil for the African Cup of Nations (AFCON), which is hosted by the Ivory Coast.
All eyes are on the Elephants, who will open the much-anticipated tournament against Guinea Bissau today, 13 January, at the Alassane Ouattara stadium, in Abidjan.
Africa will be lit with football stars. We have compiled a list of seven players who would be key for their nations in their quest for continental dominance. These extraordinarily talented players can make things happen for their nations.
(7) Percy Tau (South Africa)
Percy Muzi Tau (29) will be carrying hopes of over 60 millions South Africans on his shoulders when he leads Bafana Bafana in the tournament.
The 2023 African Inter-Club Player of the Year will have to step up at an international stage and replicate the form he has shown for Al Ahly SC in both the CAF Champions League and the FIFA Club World Cup. If Bafana Bafana are to lift the AFCON for the first time since 1996, Tau will have to fire in front of goals.
(6) Sébastien Haller (Cote d’Ivoire)
The Borussia Dortmund forward who has fallen off in the perking orders for his Bundesliga club would hope to regain form in his home country and lead the Elephants to their third AFCON title.
The well-travelled 29-year-old possesses a vast experience, having played in England, France and Netherlands before joining Dortmund. His experience would be vital in galvanizing the home crowd. He would hope to add to his eight goals for the Ivorians in the 21 matches he has played.
(5) Hakim Ziyech (Morocco)
Hakim Ziyech (30) has been crucial to the Moroccan national team’s revitalisation. The tricky winger will be key in driving the Atlas Lions forward in the tournament. The North Africans would be hoping to continue their rise in the world football as they are currently the highest ranked African country in the world at position 13.
They would want to add another AFCON crown to their only one won in 1976. Ziyech will have to spark attacks and create goals in order for that to happen. The veteran with over 50 caps and 21 goals will be the man to watch.
(4) Riyad Mahrez (Algeria)
The Al Ahly Saudi forward is, without a doubt, one of the most dangerous players in the world and his experience would be key if the Algerians are to mount a challenge for the trophy.
Mahrez (32), who is a phenomenal set-piece specialist, led his country to AFCON glory in 2019. In order for his country to claim their third trophy, he would need to create more magic from his feet. He is definitely one to watch.
(3) Sadio Mane (Senegal)
The inspiring Senegalese captain will be the main man for the Lions of Teranga as they attempt to defend the title they won in Cameroon in 2021. The 31 year-old Al Nassr forward, who has over 100 caps for Senegal, would be key if they are to go back to back and win the whole thing again.
(2) Mohamed Salah (Egypt)
Mohamed Salah (31) would be hoping third time is the charm after suffering heartbreak in two consecutive AFCON finals (2017 and 2021). With the English Premier League (EPL) winner with Liverpool closing on a century of caps for the Pharaohs, he will be more determined to help his nation with their record eighth AFCON trophy.
Having won everything in Europe, Salah would want to complete his medal cabinet with an African gold. The Liverpool forward with over 50 international goals is certainly Egypt’s most potent weapon upfront and a man to watch.
(1) Victor Osimhen (Nigeria)
The reigning African Footballer of the Year is enjoying his prime and is the most-talked about forward in Europe with EPL clubs, such as Chelsea and Arsenal, vying for his signature. The 25-year-old Napoli star has already tasted international glory in the junior levels for the Super Eagles when he won the under 17 FIFA World Cup in 2015.
He would hope to add another feather in his cap for his home nation and deliver Nigeria’s fourth AFCON crown. Having helped Napoli to end a 33-year-long drought for Serie A championship, he is certainly the man carrying Nigerian aspirations in the tournament.
With the day to kick-start the biggest tournament in Africa upon us, expectations for the football stars to perform is through the roof. Time will tell whom among the foregoing superstars will lead his country to the very top of African Football.
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