The 10 best African footballers in the world as AFCON reaches its finale | OneFootball

As the Africa Cup of Nations reaches its conclusion tonight, what better time to celebrate the continent's finest talent?

We've attempted to rank the top 10 African footballers in the world right now.

10. Omar Marmoush - Egypt

Omar Marmoush has found himself on the fringes at Manchester City this season, but there will be no shortage of suitors should he push for an exit.

The 26-year-old emerged as one of Europe's most in-demand talents last January after an explosive half-campaign at Eintracht Frankfurt. He scored 15 times and provided nine assists in just 17 Bundesliga appearances, earning a £59m move to thePremier League.

A return of seven goals in 17Premier League games - including a hat-trick against Newcastle - was a sharp start, but he's struggled for regular minutes amid the presence of Erling Haaland.

Could Marmoush follow the Julian Alvarez path in shining after escaping Haaland's shadow?

9. Antoine Semenyo - Ghana

Antoine Semenyo was one of the big names to miss AFCON after Ghana failed to qualify. He's made up for that disappointment in style, shining for Bournemouth in the Premier League to earn a big-money move to Manchester City.

Semenyo has scored 10 league goals this season to rubber-stamp his reputation as one of the Premier League's top wide players.

8. Sadio Mane - Senegal

Sadio Mane might be creeping towards the end of his career, but the Senegal star remains one of Africa's best. The 33-year-old has had an outstanding AFCON, scoring twice and providing three assists in six appearances.

Mane has lost little of his sharpness, as he bids to captain Senegal to a second AFCON crown. One of the continent's greatest footballing exports.

7. Bryan Mbeumo - Cameroon

Bryan Mbeumo has taken last summer's move to Manchester United in his stride, with the Cameroonian scoring seven goals in the Premier League this season.

It follows a 20-goal league campaign for Brentford, as Mbeumo marked his arrival as a winger capable of elite output.

6. Serhou Guirassy - Guinea

Football loves a late bloomer, and Serhou Guirassy fits that bill. The Guinea international was playing second-tier football in France as recently as 2021.

A move to Stuttgart started an explosive run of form, as Guirassy netted 30 goals in 30 games in 2023/24. Borussia Dortmund came calling, where his goal-laden form has continued. The 29-year-old has scored 78 club goals over the last two-and-a-half seasons.

5. Ademola Lookman - Nigeria

Ademola Lookman has gone from strength to strength since leaving thePremier League. Atalanta has been the perfect fit for the winger, with the Italian side's adventurous football suiting him down to the ground.

Lookman has scored 55 goals in 134 games for Atalanta and in 2024 became the first player to score a hat-trick in a one-legged Men's European final since 1969, asAtalanta beat Bayer Leverkusen 3-0 to win the Europa League.

4. Brahim Diaz - Morocco

Brahim Diaz might have been born in Malaga, but he's Morocco's poster boy right now. Diaz has driven The Atlas Lions to their first AFCON final in more than two decades, scoring five goals in six games.

The midfielder now has 15 goal involvements in 21 caps for Morocco since pledging his international allegiance to the North African nation. He's far too good to remain peripheral atReal Madrid.

3. Victor Osimhen - Nigeria

There are few better out-and-out number nines in world football thanVictor Osimhen. His recent feats include Golden Boots and league titles in Italy and Turkey, alongside the 2023 African Footballer of the Year award.

The face of the Super Eagles, he's just two goals from becoming Nigeria's all-time leading scorer.

2. Mohamed Salah - Egypt

Mohamed Salah set records on the route to Premier League success last season. The Egyptian's output set a new record for a 38-game season, as he led the league for goals (29) and assists (18) for Liverpool.

His form has dipped this season, a rare blip in an eight-and-a-half year period of elite consistency. He's in the conversation of the greatest African footballers of all time.

1. Achraf Hakimi - Morocco

Achraf Hakimi is one win from etching his name into Moroccan folklore. The PSG full-back has won it all in recent years, claiming major trophies in Spain, Germany, Italy and France, including last season's quadruple success at the Parc des Princes.

Hakimi has it all as a full-back and ranks right at the top when it comes to his positional peers.

Still just 27, he's already won a medal haul most can only dream of. AFCON success would add another glittering moment to his story.