AFCON 2025: Wonderkids and potential stars to watch from all 24 nations

Bence Bocsák

• 22 Dec 2025 06:30 CST
• 17 min read

Analysis

The 2025 edition of the Africa Cup of Nations has commenced, with hosts Morocco winning the first match of the tournament 2-0 versus Comoros.

The fixture was noted for a potential Puskas-worthy goal from Ayoub El Kaabi, who sent a spectacular overhead kick into the corner in the 74th minute to put the game to bed for Morocco, who took all three points on Matchday One.

The tournament is brimming with exciting talent this year and although the likes of Mohamed Salah, Victor Osimhen and Bryan Mbeumo will hog most of the headlines due to their superstar status, there are plenty of hidden gems or potential superstars among the 24 competing teams.

Here, World Soccer football expert Bence Bocsák goes through every team to pick out players to look out for in the 2025 AFCON.

Morocco

Abdelhamid Aït Boudlal

He’s only 19-years-old but now starting to be a regular for Rennes in Ligue 1.

A centre-back who is very good in the ball. He’s great at carrying the ball forward and he reads the game really well.

At youth level he was a very dominant defender. Still growing and adjusting in senior football but he’s got the potential to go very far.

Bilal El Khannouss

He needs no introduction.

A proper modern day attacking midfielder. He plays with high intensity and is fantastic in his technical grasp of the game.

Made a good start to life at Stuttgart with 10G/As already this season which is an improvement on his return for Leicester last season.

He’s only going to get better. His ceiling is very high.

Oussama Targhalline

A breakout star this season. Targhalline is a brilliant midfielder who is very good at dictating the play from deep.

He is a creator who is constantly scanning and moving the ball forward. On top of that he reads the game really well, an excellent disruptor defensively.

Only 23, it wouldn't be surprising if top five leagues clubs were looking at him.

Mali

Mamadou Sangare

He’s like a cheat code because he covers so much ground, and he’s also quite quick.

Technically brilliant, he does well when pressed and he’s great at making long switches from deep in the build-ups

Mali are stacked in midfield but Sangare will still play a lot of games.

Europe’s big clubs will be watching him closely.

Gaoussou Diakité

Possibly the most underrated young forward in Europe. More people should be talking about him.

He’s relatively fast, very technical and great in the build-up.

He's a proper proper modern day no.9 because he can be both a goal-scorer and a facilitator.

Kamory Doumbia

He’s not the strongest or the quickest but he’s a very technical player.

Small at just 1.70 metres but Doumbia makes up for it with his clever movement and excellent vision.

He’s also very good at linking up with his teammates and making runs into the box. A proper no.10.

Scores a lot of goals for Mali.

Nene Dorgeles

Another intelligent and technical player who can play as a winger and as a no.10. His first touch is almost always great.

He has a fantastic shooting technique, excellent at hitting the corners. Out wide he loves to put in crosses.

Already has 10 G/As in just 1081 minutes for Fenerbahce this season. One to watch.

An incredible goal to make it 2-0 in the opener of AFCON between Morocco and Comoros.

Ayoub El Kaabi, take a bow ✨

📽️ @SABC_Sport pic.twitter.com/b8UPRekuPn

— The Athletic | Football (@TheAthleticFC) December 21, 2025

Comoros

Rayan Lutin

A quick player who is a decent dribbler and looks like he’s making great progress at Angers.

Left footed but can play on either wing. For an attacker he needs to get into shooting positions more.

He could cause problems for defences at this tournament though with his dribbling and ability to hold off defenders.

Zambia

Given Kalusa

His nickname in Zambia is ‘Ozil’ and he does play a bit like him.

Great vision and a very technical player who still needs to grow a lot of muscle to be ready for the more physical and intense battles in Europe.

Nonetheless an interesting profile, who could be one of the youngest ever Zambians to play at the competition.

Impressive cameo on his national team debut vs South Africa earlier this year so definitely keeping my eye on him.

Joseph Liteta

At youth level he covered a lot of distance and was a brilliant disruptor in midfield

He averaged 10.44 defensive duels for Cagliari U20s and won 69.3%.

Starting to break into the senior side at just 19 years old. Only two games in Serie A but he’s done well in both of them.

Definitely one to watch.

Angola

Pedro Bondo

A touchline left-back who loves to go past players and put crosses in.

Only 21-years-old he’s getting a lot of game time in Portugal’s top flight this season and making the most of it.

He’s quick and you can definitely tell he used to be a winger.

His best role is probably as a wing-back but he’s decent defensively as well.

Beni Mukendi

A ball carrying deep-lying midfielder.

Mukendi reads the game very well and has done brilliantly since signing for Vitoria S.C in Portugal’s top flight.

Still only 23 years old but expect him to be a key pillar for Angola for many years to come

Zini

He’s not played a lot this season and it’s touch and go whether he will be fit.

That would be shame because he’s a real handful of a forward.

He’s strong with his back to goal. He can can dribble. Has really nice close control. You can also play him on the wing and he’s a decent finisher.

Could be a key player for Angola if fit.

The Elephants ready to defend their title. 👊

Côte d’Ivoire pose for their #TotalEnergiesAFCON2025 photoshoot 🇨🇮 pic.twitter.com/xJRT177QvE

— TotalEnergies AFCON 2025 (@CAF_Online) December 22, 2025

Egypt

Ibrahim Adel

The 24-year-old will be exciting to watch on the wings for Egypt.

Adel loves taking players on. He’s averaged 7.65 dribbles per 90 in his career so far.

Definitely more of a shooter than a creator so it’s going to be interesting how Egypt balance their attacking depth with Omar Marmoush, Salah and Mostafa Mohamed as well.

Expect Adel to be an impact sub and a very good one at that.

South Africa

Mbekezeli Mbokazi

A left-sided centre-back who reads the game very well and he’s extremely strong on the ground.

The way he defends channels is impressive considering he is only 20-years-old. He’s got real speed and he uses that to his advantage.

Needs to use his body a little bit better and be stronger in his aerial duels. His not the tallest but sometimes he gets the timing wrong as well.

An exciting talent. Watch out for him in the MLS next year for Chicago Fire.

Zimbabwe

Tawanda Maswanhise

A 23-year-old winger who has been in great form for Motherwell this season.

Already has 12 goals, which is a very strong return.

He’s a quick player with great link-up play and a lot of energy.

Expect him to be an important outlet for Zimbabwe.

Sean Fusire

The 20-year-old is starting to develop into an interesting right-back in the Championship for Sheffield Wednesday.

His team are in a terrible position in the league so it’s hard to judge him completely but he’s getting a lot of minutes and looks relatively solid defensively. Won 62% of his 7 defensive duels per 90.

He was a lot more of an attacking player in League Two last season. And even more so at academy level.

Can also play in midfield. So he’s quite versatile.

Definitely an interesting profile.

Nigeria

Raphael Onyedika

He’s a very good midfielder and at 24-years-old definitely ready for the next step away from Club Brugge.

Onyedika reads the game really well, he covers a lot of distances and is very secure in possession.

🚨Immediately after completing their one and final training tonight in Cairo with 20 players.

The Super Eagles now have Raphael Onyedika in camp to take it to 21 players in Egypt ahead of tomorrow’s friendlypic.twitter.com/EI1rD7mpHu

— MikeThePundit (@Mike_ThePundit) December 15, 2025

He deals well under pressure, needs to be a little bit stronger in his duels against the top teams.

But he’s the type of profile clubs are always looking for. The way he can retain possession and dictate the build-up is impressive.

Ebenezer Akinsanmiro

The 21-year-old is on loan at Pisa in Serie A this season.

He’s still very raw but there’s a lot to like about him game.

He works hard in midfield, likes to carry the ball and that’s a huge bonus.

Definitely potential there.

Tochukwu Nnadi

Keep your eyes on Nnadi as well. 22-years-old, plays in a deep-lying midfield role in Belgium’s top flight.

Looks like a player with a lot of energy, and someone who also anticipates his opponents’ moves very well.

Was solid on his debut for Nigeria ahead of the tournament. Wouldn’t be surprised to see him playing more.

A proper disrupter type who is also composed on the ball and makes smart decision in possession

Tanzania

Kelvin John

The young attacker had a lot of hype and was very prolific at youth level.

Things didn’t quite work out for him at Genk but he looks to be reviving his career in Denmark at AaB.

Has 14 goal contributions this season since the start of July in 21 matches, while predominantly playing as an RW.

Still only 22-years-old, I hope he can revive his career. He was phenomenal finisher at youth level.

Tunisia

Ismael Gharbi

A small player with a great low centre of gravity.

Gharbi is an excellent dribbler and he carries the ball forward really well using his quick change of direction to deceive his opponents.

His first touch is pure class and he’s a proper elegant player.

Not the fastest nor the strongest and sometimes his decision making can also be better.

But he’s only 21-years-old, definitely has potential to get it right.

Uganda

James Bogere

He’s got the potential to be a perfect all-round forward.

Bogere really, really impressed at the U17 World Cup and AFCON this year.

A forward who can play across the front three, he can peel off to the wing, take players on but he’s also extremely dangerous and effective inside the box.

Averaged 4 shots per 90 at the U17 AFCON and World Cup and scored 5 goals in 8 games.

Now at just 17-years-old he’ll be part of Uganda’s squad for the tournament.

Benin

Andréas Hountondji

The 23-year-old forward is a tall and pacey player who can be a real handful for defenders.

He can run in behind defences, drift wide to stretch them and he’s a decent dribbler.

Averaging 0.61 goals per 90 in the Bundesliga so far this season. It’s been an impressive start for him at St Pauli.

A threat inside the box as well because of his height.

DR Congo

Noah Sadiki

Been a revelation at Sunderland. He covers so much ground, an excellent ball carrier and deceptively strong for someone of his size.

Expect him to be pulling the strings for Congo at the tournament. That battle with Lamine Camara vs Senegal is going to be very interesting.

Ngal'ayel Mukau

A lanky midfielder with long legs and a great stride.

The 21-year-old plays for Lille and he’s impressed with his composure on the ball.

Still needs to be stronger when he carries the ball, his positioning at times and in his defensive duels.

But he’s got great technical skills that give him the tools to go far.

Senegal

Lamine Camara

A deep-lying creator who is brilliant technically and despite his small stature and frame very good at winning duels because of his strong core and speed.

Camara has a great awareness for the game. He’s also very technically gifted.

At 21-years-old his potential is so high. I’ve been watching him for almost three years now when he caught my eye at CHAN, and ever since then I’ve been so impressed with the way he has developed.

Ibrahim Mbaye

It was a huge coup for Senegal to get Mbaye.

Only 17-years-old but he’s already starting to make his mark for PSG’s first-team having played 31 games at senior level.

Mbaye can play on the left and right wing. He’s got a great shot on him and he’s a threat from both sides.

Genuinely such an exciting player. PSG have a super talent on their hands.

Botswana

Gape Mohutsiwa

The 28-year-old is one of Bostwana’s best players.

He plays in midfield and it great at being a disruptor, constantly winning the ball back for Bostwana.

Mohutsiwa could play a key role in causing an upset in a tough group alongside Benin, Sengal and DR Congo.

Algeria

Ibrahim Maza

An attacking midfielder who can play on the wing and even as a box-to-box midfielder.

Maza is a brilliant dribbler. Completes 68% of his 3.76 attempted attempts per 90. He carries the ball forward with great purpose and elegance.

Averaging 0.49 goal contributions per 90 minutes for Leverkusen this season, which is quite a decent return from his position.

Only 20-years-old, he’s got the makings of a special player.

Mohamed Amoura

Amoura has been on another level this season for Wolfsburg.

The 25-year-old attacker is averaging 0.83 goal contributions per 90 for club and country having scored 11 and registered 3 assists.

Amoura is quite small but he’s got a great low centre of gravity with excellent ball control and is very explosive when in full flow.

Has a great shot on him as well. He hits the ball with so much power and can normally generate pretty good accuracy with his shots from inside the box.

Deadly in one vs one situations when running behind defenders.

Does a lot of work off the ball which is a bonus

The sound of Africa’s biggest stage. 🎶🌍#TotalEnergiesAFCON2025 pic.twitter.com/A43ax89AFr

— TotalEnergies AFCON 2025 (@CAF_Online) December 21, 2025

Anis Hadj Moussa

A really silky right-winger with so much flair.

The 23-year-old’s best quality is by far his ability in one vs one situations.

He’s a brilliant ball carrier, averages 4.64 progressive runs per 90, and 7.86 dribbles per 90 with a 55% success rate, which is impressive given the volume.

He’s the type of player you love to watch. Could be a bit more efficient in front of goal. He does have a good left foot, just needs to learn when to unleash it and when not to.

Looking forward to his link-up play with Amoura and Maza for Algeria. That trio could be very entertaining to watch.

Burkina Faso

Cyriaque Irié

Unfortunately he’s been injured all season so we haven’t seen much of him in the Bundesliga.

But, was impressive last season. Such an elegant dribbler on the ball, he loves to glide past players averaged 5.6 dribbles per 90 with a 52% success rate last season.

He’s tall, left footed. Can play on the right but also likes to drift into the middle.

Only 20-years-old, he needs to be more efficient with his final ball, but has the makings of an exciting player.

Dango Ouattara

His brilliant start for Brentford has gone under the radar a bit. Seven G/As in 15 games so far in the PL is quite impressive.

Hee can play across the front three and he’s a strong physical player who can be a threat in the air as well.

Works tirelessly defensively which is a bonus.

Expect him to play a big role for Burkina Faso.

Sudan

Musa Hussein

A 19-year-old attacker who likes to play as an LW.

Hussein is quick and has a really strong lower body that allows him to brush past players with ease.

He isn’t the tallest player but he works really hard.

Still very raw but definitely potential there. Big opportunity for him to catch the eye of scouts.

Equatorial Guinea

Saúl Coco

The 26-year-old is a very solid left-sided centre-back who plays in Serie A for Torino.

Coco reads the game well and he’s composed on the ball. Probably one of his biggest strengths.

Going to have a big role to play for Equatorial Guinea so I’m interested to see how he does with the tests he’s about to face.

Cameroon

Karl Etta Eyong

The 22-year-old forward is such a livewire. Strong, holds the ball up really well and is constantly causing problems for defenders.

He’s an advanced forward but he needs to be better with his aerial duels. Isn’t the tallest which means he may need to switch it up sometimes.

Hee could do more with his link-up play but he’s a solid finisher and 0.55 goal contributions per 90 minutes for Levante in La Liga is very impressive.

Christian Kofane

A really talented target forward who has great movement inside the box and the ability to find himself in goal-scoring situations on a regular basis.

Kofane is still very raw. For a target forward he needs to be stronger and better at holding up the ball.

But his ability to find himself in goal-scoring situations is elite.

Ten G/As for Leverkusen in just over 1000 minutes is an impressive return. At 19-years-old, he’s a massive prospect and someone who has the potential to develop into a great forward at the top level.

Junior Tchamadeu

A really, really good right-back in the Championship with the potential to be excellent in the Premier League as well.

The 21-year-old is pacey and he carries the ball forward really well. He’s able to change direction quickly and run really fast with the ball, which makes him hard to stop when in full flow. He can accelerate in an instant which is an underrated trait.

Solid defensively, too.

Ivory Coast

Christ Inao Oulaï

The 19-year-old is a very energetic midfielder who has caught the eye in Turkey this season.

He’s good on the ball, will always look to play it forward to help progress his team.

Sometimes he needs to make better decisions as he has a tendency to hold onto the ball a little too much.

But his drive and energy is fun to watch. He makes 3 recoveries per 90 in the opposition’s half which shows the intensity that he plays with which will fit into this Ivory Coast team.

Bazoumana Touré

The 19-year-old is such a high intensity player. No one has made more sprints than he has in the entire Bundesliga this season.

Touré is also extremely fast clocking up the second best top-speed (35.8km/hj in the Bundesliga.

There’s nothing more terrifying than when he’s running at you full flow. Touré is such an exciting player.

Yan Diomande

He’s going to be a star. An incredible dribbler, comfortable with both feet.

He can finish, create chances. Thrives on both wings.

Extremely fast as well and works really hard on and off the ball.

Him and Touré on the wings for Ivory Coast is going to be spectacular.

Diomande can be the star of this tournament.

Ousmane Diomande

It's surprising he’s still at Sporting CP. The 22-year-old is a very good defender and he’s also very secure on the ball.

Diomande has a huge ceiling and he will definitely end-up in the Premier League and become a top player.

He’s fantastic at defending the channels, very strong and composed. Hard to beat in one vs one situations.

Can also play LCB and has even been deployed as a full-back on a handful of occasions.

Guela Doue

The older brother of Désiré, Guela is a completely different profile.

He’s an RB, RWB and can also play as an RCB.

The 23-year-old has been very important for Strasbourg over the last year or so. He reads the game really well defensively and he’s an excellent at progressing the ball in possession.

His composure on the ball will make him a key player for the Ivory Coast.

Gabon

Jacques Ekomié

The 22-year-old is a very underrated left-back.

Ekomié is a great dribbler and runner on the left-flank.

He’s hard to beat in defensive situations.

But could make more of an impact in the final third.

He puts in a lot of crosses but they hardly ever find a target in the box.

Needs to be better in this area in order to be considered as a more consistent player.

Mozambique

Geny Catamo

He’s been such a valuable squad player for Sporting CP over the last few years.

Catamo is Mozambique’s star player and he’ll cause problems for defenders with his pace on the right-wing.

He’s great offensively in one vs one situations. Loves to dribble past players and he has a great left foot that he can unleash cutting in from the right.

Read more from Bence Bocsak's thread here.