{"id":5751,"date":"2025-12-17T19:22:47","date_gmt":"2025-12-17T19:22:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/inernews.online\/?p=5751"},"modified":"2025-12-17T19:22:47","modified_gmt":"2025-12-17T19:22:47","slug":"afcon-2025-who-are-the-top-players-to-watch-in-morocco-africa-cup-of-nations-news","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/inernews.online\/?p=5751","title":{"rendered":"AFCON 2025: Who are the top players to watch in Morocco? | Africa Cup of Nations News"},"content":{"rendered":"


\n<\/p>\n

\n

The CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) gets under way on Sunday, with the host nation Morocco facing Comoros in Group A at Rabat\u2019s Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium.<\/p>\n

Across the four weeklong continental showpiece, some of the game\u2019s biggest names will take centre stage.<\/p>\n

Here\u2019s a look at our top-10 players who are set to light up the competition:<\/p>\n

\u26bd Mohamed Salah (Egypt)<\/h2>\n

Arguably the biggest African football star of his generation, Mohamed Salah heads into the tournament hoping to lead Egypt to a record-extending eighth title. But the 33-year-old arrives short of his usual standards: he has scored just five goals in 20 matches across all competitions this season and has slipped down the pecking order under Liverpool\u2019s new manager, Arne Slot.<\/p>\n

Yet Salah\u2019s importance to Egypt has never been in doubt. The two-time African Footballer of the Year remains their talisman, and his nine goals in the CAF World Cup qualifying phase were crucial in securing a spot at next summer\u2019s World Cup.<\/p>\n

At AFCON, Salah will be chasing both redemption and a return to the red-hot form that earned him the nickname \u201cthe Egyptian King\u201d.<\/p>\n

\"Fans
Mohamed Salah, who has struggled for form at Liverpool, has raised doubts over whether he will play for the club again after AFCON [File: Amr Nabil\/AP]<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\u26bd Achraf Hakimi (Morocco)<\/h2>\n

Fresh off the high of being crowned African footballer of the year, Achraf Hakimi headlines the cast of star home nation players set to take the field in Morocco.<\/p>\n

The 27-year-old, widely regarded as one of the best right-backs in the world, was instrumental in PSG\u2019s treble-winning campaign, capped off by their long-awaited UEFA Champions League triumph in May.<\/p>\n

As Morocco\u2019s captain, Hakimi carries the hopes of millions in the football-mad country. Morocco\u2019s Atlas Lions will look to him not only for his defensive stability but also for his playmaking spark as they chase only the second AFCON title in their history \u2013 50 years after their maiden crown.<\/p>\n

\"Morocco's
There had been concerns over Achraf Hakimi\u2019s availability for AFCON due to an ankle injury, but Morocco\u2019s head coach, Walid Regragui, is optimistic the full-back will recover in time to play [File: Aurelien Morissard\/AP]<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\u26bd Victor Osimhen (Nigeria)<\/h2>\n

Still recovering from the heartbreak of missing out on the 2026 World Cup, Victor Osimhen will look for solace and vindication at the continental championship.<\/p>\n

The Galatasaray forward, known for his trademark face mask, has been in prolific form this season with 12 goals in 16 matches across all competitions, including six in the Champions League.<\/p>\n

Despite sitting second on Nigeria\u2019s all-time scorers list, Osimhen has struggled to translate that dominance to major tournaments: he has found the net only once, at the previous AFCON in 2023 when the Super Eagles reached the final. This edition offers him a chance to change that narrative.<\/p>\n

\"Soccer
Victor Osimhen, pictured, and his Nigeria teammates are hurting after another unsuccessful World Cup qualifying campaign with the quickest route to redemption being an AFCON title [File: Luc Gnago\/Reuters]<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\u26bd Bryan Mbeumo (Cameroon)<\/h2>\n

Rediscovering his scoring touch, star forward Bryan Mbeumo could play a crucial role in Cameroon\u2019s campaign as they begin a new chapter under a new coach following their failure to qualify for the World Cup.<\/p>\n

With seven goals across all competitions, Mbeumo has been Manchester United\u2019s standout performer in an otherwise mixed and chaotic season for the Red Devils.<\/p>\n

An injury kept Mbeumo out of the previous AFCON, but this time, the 26-year-old has a golden opportunity to clinch his first trophy with Cameroon.<\/p>\n

The task, however, will not be straightforward. With veteran striker Vincent Aboubakar surprisingly left out of the squad, Mbeumo inherits the dual responsibility of leading the line and captaining the team.<\/p>\n

\"Cameroon
Cameroon forward Bryan Mbeumo has been Manchester United\u2019s highest scorer this season [File: Gregory Bull\/AP]<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\u26bd Wilfried Zaha (Ivory Coast)<\/h2>\n

An impressive loan spell with Charlotte in Major League Soccer (MLS) has earned Wilfried Zaha a surprise recall to the national team for the first time in two years.<\/p>\n

The 33-year-old winger was omitted from the squad that won AFCON 2023, but his return to form, marked by 10 goals and 10 assists this season, proved too compelling to ignore.<\/p>\n

Zaha\u2019s years of experience, ability to take on defenders and current sharpness should provide a timely boost to the reigning champions\u2019 aspirations of defending their AFCON title in Morocco.<\/p>\n

\"Charlotte
Wilfried Zaha won two caps for England before switching international allegiance to the Ivory Coast [File: Nell Redmond\/AP]<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\u26bd Sadio Mane (Senegal)<\/h2>\n

Sadio Mane once dominated headlines with his exploits in Europe for clubs such as Liverpool and Bayern Munich, but his move to Al Nassr in the Saudi Pro League has shifted much of the media spotlight away from him.<\/p>\n

Yet the 33-year-old, widely regarded as one of Africa\u2019s greatest players, remains a decisive figure for Senegal: his five goals in CAF World Cup qualifying were the most by any Senegalese player.<\/p>\n

In Morocco, Mane will aim to replicate the form that earned him player of the tournament honours at AFCON 2021 when the winger guided the Teranga Lions to their first continental title.<\/p>\n

\"Sadio
Senegal\u2019s Sadio Mane has 12 goal involvements in 17 matches for Al Nassr this season [File: Kenzo Tribouillard\/AFP]<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\u26bd Iliman Ndiaye (Senegal)<\/span><\/h2>\n

With six goal involvements in the Premier League, Iliman Ndiaye has been one of Everton\u2019s most reliable players in the Premier League this season, and the 25-year-old will hope to bring that positive influence to Senegal\u2019s attack.<\/p>\n

The midfielder, known for his dribbling and finishing, has enjoyed a rapid ascent in recent years, moving from England\u2019s second-tier league in 2023 to being a key contributor for the Toffees as they close in on a top-six spot in the top-flight.<\/p>\n

On the international stage, Ndiaye has been an integral part of Senegal\u2019s setup for the past three years, and he will look to make his mark at his third AFCON appearance.<\/p>\n

\"Ndiaye
Iliman Ndiaye is a key part of Everton\u2019s attack and will hope to carry his form into AFCON for Senegal [File: Phil Noble\/Reuters]<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\u26bd Carlos Baleba (Cameroon)<\/h2>\n

Unlike many of the tournament\u2019s big names, Carlos Baleba arrives at AFCON without any major-tournament experience, yet the 21-year-old has already produced performances that belie his age.<\/p>\n

The versatile youngster has become a driving force in Premier League side Brighton\u2019s defensive midfield and was instrumental in Cameroon\u2019s flawless qualification for AFCON 2025.<\/p>\n

Renowned for his stamina, dribbling and passing range, Baleba is once again attracting interest from major European clubs before a potential big-money move in January\u2019s transfer window.<\/p>\n

\"Brighton's
Youngster Carlos Baleba has established himself as a midfield powerhouse for Brighton and Cameroon [File: Dave Shopland\/AP]<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\u26bd Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (Gabon)<\/h2>\n

Once a hero for Borussia Dortmund and Arsenal, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang now plies his trade at Marseille \u2013 and this year\u2019s AFCON may represent his final shot at glory with Gabon.<\/p>\n

At 36 and in the twilight of his career, the forward continues to shoulder the hopes of the small central African nation that has never advanced beyond the quarterfinals.<\/p>\n

French-born Aubameyang, who won African Footballer of the Year a decade ago, has been the focal point of Gabon\u2019s attack ever since his debut in 2009.<\/p>\n

\"Gabon's
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is Gabon\u2019s all-time leading scorer with 39 goals [File: Brian Inganga\/AP]<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\u26bd\u00a0<\/strong>Mohamed Amoura (Algeria)<\/h2>\n

Mohamed Amoura is set to be a central figure in Algeria\u2019s AFCON 2025 campaign.<\/p>\n

Amoura was Africa\u2019s leading scorer in World Cup 2026 qualification, outpacing even Egyptian legend Salah with a chart-topping 10 goals.<\/p>\n

The 25-year-old striker has carried that clinical form into club football with Bundesliga side Wolfsburg, registering six goals and two assists in 15 appearances.<\/p>\n

After lifting the African trophy in 2019, the Desert Foxes endured painful first-round exits in the two editions that followed, making this tournament an opportunity to rewrite their recent history. At AFCON 2025, Algeria will go as far as Amoura can take them as they attempt to win a third crown.<\/p>\n

\"Algeria's
Striker Mohamed Amoura stole the limelight during the CAF World Cup qualifying [Fateh Guidoum\/AP]<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n


<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) gets under way on Sunday, with the host nation Morocco facing Comoros in Group A at Rabat\u2019s Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium. Across the four weeklong continental showpiece, some of the game\u2019s biggest names will take centre stage. Here\u2019s a look at our top-10 players who are set to […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":5752,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-5751","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-africa-news"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/inernews.online\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5751","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/inernews.online\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/inernews.online\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/inernews.online\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/inernews.online\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=5751"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/inernews.online\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5751\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/inernews.online\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/5752"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/inernews.online\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=5751"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/inernews.online\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=5751"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/inernews.online\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=5751"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}