Ten players set to light up AFCON 2025 🔥 | OneFootball

The 2025 edition of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) kicks off this Sunday in Morocco.

Focus on the ten players who will set the competition on fire!

Achraf Hakimi - Morocco 🇲🇦

Current African Ballon d'Or winner, sixth in the last Ballon d'Or, Champions League winner, superstar of the nation hosting this AFCON: Achraf Hakimi is in the spotlight!

Injured in early November against Bayern Munich, the right-back is back!

📸 ALAIN JOCARD - AFP or licensors

Mohamed Salah - Egypt 🇪🇬

Struggling at the start of the season with Liverpool, Mohamed Salah needs to have a gigantic AFCON if he wants to mitigate or save his delicate and controversial first half of the 2024/25 season.

At 33, the Egyptian star might see this edition as the ultimate chance to win a trophy with his national team...

📸 ABDEL MAJID BZIOUAT - AFP or licensors

Sadio Mané - Senegal 🇸🇳

He is also 33 years old! Winner of the 2021 edition, Sadio Mané will be eager to win a second AFCON, which could definitively cement his place in African football legend.  

📸 Ryan Pierse - 2025 Getty Images

Mohamed Amoura - Algeria 🇩🇿

The Wolfsburg forward has become Algeria's key offensive asset in recent months.

This AFCON could be the perfect opportunity to establish himself as the leader of the team and take over from Riyad Mahrez.

📸 KENZO TRIBOUILLARD - AFP or licensors

Bryan Mbeumo - Cameroon 🇨🇲

Not qualified for the next World Cup, Cameroon can erase this setback by having a remarkable run this winter.

As the new leader of Manchester United, Bryan Mbeumo must carry his team!

📸 DANIEL BELOUMOU OLOMO - AFP or licensors

Amad Diallo - Ivory Coast 🇨🇮

He also plays for MU and has a status to uphold during this AFCON.

The 23-year-old Ivorian winger will be in the spotlight to help the Elephants retain their title. 

📸 ISSOUF SANOGO - AFP or licensors

Victor Osimhen - Nigeria 🇳🇬

Finalist of the last edition, Nigeria can count on a Victor Osimhen back in top form at Galatasaray to avenge 2023 and clinch a fourth AFCON!

📸 OZAN KOSE - AFP or licensors

Brahim Díaz - Morocco 🇲🇦

The Real Madrid forward will play his first major competition with Morocco since deciding in early 2024 to represent the colors of Walid Regragui's team.

📸 FADEL SENNA - AFP or licensors

Iliman Ndiaye - Senegal 🇸🇳

Having become an undisputed starter this season at Everton, Iliman Ndiaye must embrace this new star role this winter. 

In form, the former Marseille player can set this AFCON alight!

📸 Harry Murphy - 2025 Getty Images

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang - Gabon 🇬🇦

The OM striker is likely to play his last AFCON this season. 

Is this the chance to make Gabon shine on the continental stage one last time?

📸 SIMON MAINA - AFP or licensors

And you, which players are you most looking forward to?

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇫🇷 here.

📸 Richard Heathcote - 2022 Getty Images