We pick out 11 young players to watch at the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations 2025 tournament. Will any of them light up the competition in Morocco?
With AFCON 2025 kicking off on Sunday as hosts Morocco face Comoros in Rabat, we turn our attentions to the tournament by picking out 11 players who we think could shine.
We’ve tried to go a little bit off-piste with our selections, so rather than just choosing the biggest names, this is a list of slightly under-the-radar players.
Rafik BelghaliRight-Back | 23 | Algeria
Rafik Belghali is a versatile right-sided player who could have a big impact for Algeria at AFCON 2025. In the first four months of the 2025-26 Serie A season, he’s been one of the most attack-minded defenders in the competition, and he can also fill in in more attacking positions if needed.
He signed for Hellas Verona in the summer after two seasons with Belgian top-flight club Mechelen, and has had no trouble adjusting to life in Italy.
A player who likes progressing upfield with the ball, only one Serie A defender has been successful with more take-ons than Belghali across the opening 15 matchdays (23), while only three defenders have created more chances from open play than him (15) – already three more than he created in 36 Belgian top-flight appearances last season.
After being part of their under-23 side, Belghali only made his senior international debut for Algeria in October and has started three of their last four internationals. The only game he appeared off the bench in was their most recent game, a 2-0 win over Saudi Arabia, and he still scored his first international goal to seal victory.
After such a strong start to life with Verona, Belghali has already been linked with moves to some of Serie A biggest clubs, such as Inter and Roma, in January. Should he enjoy a positive tournament with Algeria, those clubs might make their move.
Enzo BoyomoCentre-Back | 24 | Cameroon
There may be the odd diehard Blackburn Rovers fan who recognises this name, because Enzo Boyomo spent four years in the club’s academy after joining in 2016.
He wasn’t able to make the move a success, though, departing after failing to agree terms on a new professional contract in 2020. Now, five years later and with 53 La Liga appearances – 52 of which have been starts – to his name in the last two seasons, Rovers may now feel they should have done more to keep him at the club.
He is a calm and assured centre-back who relies more on his reading of the game and anticipation than his size given he isn’t the biggest for his position, standing at six feet tall, while he excels in one-on-one situations. That is part of the reason he makes such a good back-three defender; playing on the right side of three centre-backs for Osasuna, he can be left isolated by the wing-back ahead of him, safe in the knowledge that he can hold his own.
‘True tackle’ success rate can help us measure just how good he is in this respect. It is the proportion of all tackle attempts (successful tackles + tackle attempts where no connection is made with the ball + fouls) that are successful, and Boyomo comes out top of the pile in La Liga. Of players to attempt at least 40 true tackles, he has the best success rate in the Spanish top flight, winning the ball 74.1% of the time.
Boyomo is a tough-tackling and formidable defender, who comes into the tournament raring to go, so he will be hoping for game time at the AFCON. He only has six international caps, but five other defenders in the Cameroon squad have the same number or fewer. It’s an inexperienced bunch, and Boyomo will be keen to get his chance.
Arsène KouassiLeft-Back | 21 | Burkina Faso
After emerging as one of the most promising young players in Ligue 2 last season, Arsène Kouassi made the jump to France’s top tier with Lorient, who were promoted as champions.
He’s taken to Ligue 1 quickly, earning rave reviews with his swashbuckling displays from left-back. So eye-catching has he been, Kouassi arguably has a claim to being the most exciting left-back in the division after Paris Saint-Germain star Nuno Mendes.
Blisteringly quick, brave on the ball and forward-thinking, Kouassi is hard not to notice, and his outputs are up there with the most interesting in Ligue 1.
Only four players in the whole division – none of whom are defenders – can better his 21 successful dribbles, while he ranks third among defenders for carries that progress the ball at least 10 metres upfield (68).
Furthermore, he has laid on 15 chances for teammates in open play, the fourth most among defenders; not bad considering he plays for one of the promoted sides.
He may be the member of the Burkina Faso squad with the fewest caps (2), but expect him to leave a mark if he gets opportunities at AFCON.
Jaouen HadjamLeft-Back | 22 | Algeria
We probably didn’t need to include two left-sided full-back/wing-backs, but Jaouen Hadjam is an intriguing player.
Although not a guaranteed starter for Algeria considering he’ll be competing with Rayan Aït-Nouri for a place in the XI, Hadjam only actually has seven fewer caps than the Manchester City full-back, so he’s not a nobody at this level. And his skill set makes him a possible option further forward.
Paris born and raised, Hadjam has been playing in Switzerland for Young Boys for the best part of two years now and is attracting interest from big clubs around Europe who’ve taken note of his exhilarating style of play.
In the Swiss Super League this term, his 73 dribbles is 32 more than any other defender, and his 40 dribbles completed is second among all players in the division. In short, he’s a high-volume dribbler and someone who gets bums off seats.
The greatest case in point was his outrageous solo goal in last month’s 4-4 draw with Servette, when he produced a stunning finish after evading five opponents on a mazy run – that was one of six domestic goal involvements this term, a joint-high among defenders, and one of three carries ending with a goal or assist, second only to Gaoussou Diakité (4).
Obviously, it helps playing for one of the league’s more dominant teams, but Hadjam is a relentless force up the left flank, also tallying 14 more carries that progress the ball at least 10 metres upfield (80) than any other defender – a metric often dominated by centre-backs.
He also ranks top for dribbles attempted (25), dribbles completed (17) and chances created from open play (9) among defenders in the UEFA Europa League this term.
Mamadou SangaréCentral Midfielder | 23 | Mali
Lens have been the surprise package of Ligue 1 this season as they sit top of the table at the winter break, and Mamadou Sangaré has been one of their standout players.
A graceful yet forceful central midfielder, Sangaré, 23, made the move from Austria’s Rapid Wien in the summer and quickly adapted to the step up, with many regarding him among Ligue 1’s best so far in 2025-26.
He’s a tidy passer and comfortable with the ball at his feet, his 1.3 successful dribbles per 90 putting him inside the top 10 Ligue 1 midfielders this term (500+ minutes). That reflects a composure under pressure, but his greatest strengths really lie in the other side of the game.
Sangaré is very active out of possession. His 50 tackle attempts is eight more than any other player in Ligue 1 this season, while he’s also tallied the most possession recoveries (106).
He’s alert defensively but also has the physical capabilities to act effectively as a destroyer, with Sangaré’s speed and agility notable qualities that are also of course assets when on the ball.
From what he’s shown in Ligue 1 this season, Sangaré isn’t far from being a complete midfielder. With links to teams like Tottenham and Manchester United already doing the rounds, plenty will have their eye on him at AFCON.
Arthur AvomCentral Midfielder | 21 | Cameroon
Arthur Avom is another member – after Kouassi – of a Lorient side who are giving a good fist of battling for Ligue 1 survival this term after their promotion. Unlike Kouassi, Avom was in the side that went up.
His performances in the second tier last term began earning him links with bigger teams – the rumours of interest from Strasbourg and Chelsea were particularly strong.
He stayed put, however, and has continued to show his quality in the top division, earning a place among a largely inexperienced group of midfielders in Cameroon’s AFCON squad.
We can’t forget to mention that internal squabbling has been a distraction for Cameroon. They recently sacked coach Marc Brys, who claimed his dismissal was invalid, and some big-name players were left out of the squad he didn’t pick.
Nevertheless, the signs are Avom is here to stay.
The purposeful central midfielder, who only turned 21 recently, is a fun player to watch and one who thrives in getting his team on the front foot. Tearing runs through midfield have become something of a trademark, and they are immensely effective at turning defence into attack.
He has progressed the ball 1,012 metres upfield this season, the 11th furthest among all midfielders; that’s no mean feat considering Lorient average just 42.9% possession. He ranks a place higher for progressive carries of at least 10m (46), further evidence of the drive and intensity he provides in midfield.
But Avom doesn’t just offer explosiveness. First of all, there’s also a subtlety to his quality on the ball, as supported by having the fourth-best dribble success rate (59.3%) among players to attempt at least 20.
He also brings offensive impetus, with 1.2 open-play chances created and 4.0 passes into the opposition’s box per 90 both very respectable figures for a central midfielder at one of the promoted teams.
It’s also worth pointing out his 1.5 interceptions per 90 is the fifth best among all Ligue 1 midfielders, albeit that will be partly influenced by Lorient’s way of playing.
Either way, Avom’s all-action style could make him an asset, especially in games that are tight.
Noah SadikiCentral Midfielder | 21 | DR Congo
One of the more obvious ones to watch for Premier League fans, who have been blessed with being able to see Noah Sadiki in action for Sunderland for the past few months.
Fans of the Black Cats like to remark that the 21-year-old covers the entirety of the planet that isn’t under water, so there’s a certain irony that he has left the north east for Morocco during a particularly rainy December in England.
Sadiki has been a big part of Sunderland’s impressive form in the English top flight this season, and manager Régis Le Bris will certainly miss his commanding midfielder.
Sadiki was born in Brussels and played for Belgium up to the under-20s, but now he represents DR Congo, and will be looking to help them improve on their fourth place at the 2023 AFCON.
Having signed for Sunderland from Union Saint-Gilloise for a reported fee of £15 million in the summer, Sadiki was one of several additions at the Stadium of Light, and has been one of the most influential.
Only teammate Granit Xhaka and Nottingham Forest’s Elliot Anderson have covered more distance than him in the Premier League this season (177.67km), while Moisés Caicedo (27) and Tyler Adams (21) are the only midfielders to have made more than his 20 interceptions.
Sadiki is also a leader when it comes to pressuring the opposition. In the entire Premier League, only Brentford striker Igor Thiago (844) has made more high-intensity pressures than him (764), while his 728 overall pressures applied in his own half is at least 31 more than any other player.
He has already caught the eye in the Premier League, but now Sadiki has the chance to show he can also rise to the occasion on the international stage.
Kamory DoumbiaAttacking Midfielder | 22 | Mali
A slight midfielder, Kamory Doumbia almost looks as much like long-distance runner as he does a modern-day top-flight footballer, and he sometimes looks as though he works as hard as one, too.
He is largely tasked with attacking, providing creative threat and goal threat from the tip of Brest’s midfield three, but he plays just as important a role in his side’s attempts to win the ball back quickly.
Of players to play at least 500 minutes in Ligue 1 this season, Doumbia ranks second for how often he wins the ball back in the final third (1.5 times per 90), behind only teammate Mama Baldé (1.9), who has far fewer minutes to his name. Doumbia is key to his side’s front-footed defensive approach, which means they rank only behind Ligue 1’s current top three (Lens, PSG and Marseille) for high turnovers or shot-ending high turnovers this season.
He is also a very adept player, comfortable on the ball in tight spaces and a threat with late runs into the box. He is his side’s second-highest goalscorer this season, with four goals, which have come from just eight shots on target, showing just how lethal he is when he gets a chance. He ranks eighth in Ligue 1 for overperformance compared to his xG this season (+1.4).
Doumbia also has a remarkable record at international level, with 15 goals from just 28 caps, making him already the fourth-highest scorer in his nation’s history. He’ll be looking to add to that tally – and maybe even move up the top-scorers’ list – in Morocco this winter.
Yan DiomandeWinger | 19 | Côte d’Ivoire
There probably aren’t many wingers in the world playing at a higher level than Yan Diomande is at the moment, let alone wingers at the AFCON.
What makes the 19-year-old’s story even more fascinating is how quick his ascent has been. He was still playing high school soccer in the United States in 2024, while he didn’t make his top-flight debut until March 2025, having originally signed for Leganés’ second team in Spain’s fifth tier a few months earlier.
RB Leipzig triggered his €20m release clause in the summer, and since then he’s been lighting up the Bundesliga and leaving defenders in knots.
Comfortable on either wing, Diomande is blessed with immense pace and he marries this with both the bravery to take on his man and the ability to do so – again and again.
Diomande has tallied 79 take-ons, the most of all Bundesliga players this term, while his 53% success rate in these situations is the second highest among those to have attempted more than 25.
The only winger to better Diomandé’s 12 take-ons in the box is Luis Díaz (14), who’s played almost 200 more minutes, though no one can match his three goals following a take-on.
Linked to all of this, Diomandé averages 8.0 progressive carries of at least 10 metres every 90 minutes, and this contributes to him progressing the ball 175 metres upfield per 90 – both are league highs (minimum 500 mins).
There is still room for improvement in terms of end product – he’s not a completely polished Diomandé (ahem, apologies). He averages 3.8 shots and open-play chances created combined per 90, a figure bettered by 31 players (500+ mins), and 0.52 non-penalty xG+xA (expected goals and expected assists), seeing him rank 23rd.
But those figures are decent for a teenager who is still establishing himself in the team and the league.
AFCON holders Côte d’Ivoire have a lot of talent in the attacking positions, but don’t be surprised if Diomandé sparkles brighter than the rest.
Ibrahim MbayeWinger | 17 | Senegal
PSG hardly need another winger, but in 17-year-old Ibrahim Mbaye they have a hugely exciting prospect who is already making his mark despite the many, many talented attackers who might have blocked his path to the first team had he not been as good as he is.
An explosive, tricky runner who’s quick and technically brilliant, Mbaye can play on either wing and will commit at least one defender every time he gets on the ball. His first thought is almost always whether he can beat his opponent.
He has made the most dribble attempts per 90 in Ligue 1 this season of players to have played at least 500 minutes (6.2), and he ranks ninth overall for dribbles attempted despite playing only 45.6% of the available minutes. What that shows more than anything is his unbreakable confidence, which could make him an intriguing proposition on the international stage.
He marries his confidence on the ball with a decent final pass, ranking in the top 15 in Ligue 1 for expected assists per 90 (0.25), just below teammate Bradley Barcola, while he is in the top 10 for open-play chances created per 90, with 1.8.
He doesn’t just dribble, though. He is constantly on the move, and if he can’t receive a pass to feet, he will burst in behind looking for a ball over the top. Doing that makes up a considerable proportion of the occasions he gets into positions to put balls across goal for high-xG chances.
Mbaye has a fair bit of experience for his age, having been with the senior PSG squad ever since he made his debut in August 2024, when he became the youngest player to start a game for the club at 16 years, 205 days old, overtaking teammate Warren Zaïre-Emery.
Having recently switched international allegiance to Senegal from France, whom he represented through the youth levels, we could be about to see this PSG prodigy take the world stage by storm at AFCON 2025.
Christian KofaneForward | 19 | Cameroon
Cameroon have produced a strong crop of strikers over the last four decades, with Samuel Eto’o, Vincent Aboubakar, Roger Milla, Patrick Mboma and François Omam-Biyik all making a big impact at not only international level, but in Europe’s top leagues.
The latest hope that Cameroon have of joining that list is 19-year-old Christian Kofane, who joined Bundesliga giants Bayer Leverkusen in the summer following a whirlwind half-season in Spain’s second tier with Albacete.
Kofane only made his senior league debut on 11 January this year, playing 20 Segunda matches, all as an 18-year-old, and scoring eight times. Only two players scored more non-penalty goals between his debut and the end of the season, with Kofane finding the back of the net with an impressive 23% of shots in his first six months as a professional.
Leverkusen saw enough to trigger his Albacete release clause of €5m in July and he scored on his club debut in the DFB-Pokal win over SG Sonnenhof Großaspach. He’s since added four more competitive goals, including his club’s only goal in the 1-1 UEFA Champions League draw with PSV in October, in the process becoming the club’s youngest scorer in the competition (19 years, 67 days old).
Such has the impact been of the 6-foot-2 striker in Leverkusen, the club have agreed with the Cameroonian FA that Kofane will stay with the club for their final game before the winter break, versus RB Leipzig on 20 December, meaning he’ll meet up with the squad just before their first game against Gabon on 24 December.
Still uncapped by Cameroon, Kofane might be one to watch as the tournament progresses, especially if their more established strikers struggle for goals early on.
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