Twenty-four teams will battle to be crowned African champions, and individual brilliance could be the difference between glory and pain
Anticipation is building ahead of the opening game at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, with the Ivory Coast set to kick off the action as hosts in a Group A clash with Guinea-Bissau. Senegal are the bookmakers' favourites to defend their crown, but Egypt will be desperate to avenge their heart-breaking penalty shootout defeat in the 2022 final, while the likes of Morocco, Nigeria, Cameroon and Algeria will also be going all out for that precious gold trophy.
The Ivory Coast will no doubt be in the running, too, as they aim to make the most of their home advantage, while there will be a whole host of players eager to leave a lasting impression on a tournament that promises to deliver fireworks. Some are heading into the AFCON in the form of their lives at club level, while others have enjoyed breakthrough campaigns or rediscovered their passion for the game in new surroundings.
GOAL is here to run down the 10 players who you should be keeping the closest eye on as the tournament progresses, starting with a certain Liverpool man christened 'The Egyptian King'…
GettyMohamed Salah (Egypt)
Salah's standing as one of the greatest players in Premier League history was already solidified, but he's made a strong case for the outright No.1 spot this season, recording 27 goal contributions in the same number of appearances for Jurgen Klopp's resurgent Liverpool side.
The 31-year-old is ageing like a fine wine, and he'll be determined to finally add the AFCON title to his bulging trophy cabinet after finishing as a runner-up in both 2021 and 2017. Egypt do tend to be overly-reliant on Salah, but he always embraces that weight of responsibility, and they will certainly be there or thereabouts if he can transfer his electrifying form for Liverpool to the international stage once again.
AdvertisementGettyOusmane Diomande (Ivory Coast)
Diomande is currently attracting interest from a host of top European clubs, including Liverpool and Chelsea, which is a just reward for his outstanding displays in a Sporting CP shirt. The 20-year-old centre-back is the full package, with an imposing physical frame and elegant quality all the ball, and he looks like the ideal fit for the Premier League.
The Ivory Coast will be tough to break down with Diomande serving as the last line of defence, and he'll also play a vital role going forward. The Sporting ace is fourth for progressive ball carries in the Primeira Liga this season, and he has a good eye for an incisive pass through the lines.
Much of the credit for Sporting's rise to the top of the league must go to Diomande, who is deceptively quick and agile for a man of his stature, and a dream transfer will very much be on the cards if he can make a similar impact at AFCON.
Getty ImagesSadio Mane (Senegal)
Salah's former team-mate Mane has endured a rough couple of years, beginning with his surprise move to Bayern Munich from Liverpool in 2022. The mercurial winger was never able to settle in Germany, and left the club after just one season on the back of an explosive fall out with Leroy Sane in the Champions League.
Mane was also forced to sit out the Qatar World Cup due to injury, and Senegal missed him dearly in their 3-0 last-16 defeat to England. The Lions of Teranga will be able to call on Mane for an extra spark in attack at the AFCON, though, and they will have every chance of retaining the trophy if he's firing on cylinders.
A fresh start at Saudi Pro League club Al-Nassr has given Mane a new lease of life as he's struck up a strong partnership with former Real Madrid and Manchester United superstar Cristiano Ronaldo, recording eight goals and four assists in 18 league outings. Mane now has the opportunity to show he can still cut it at the very highest level, and perhaps even show Bayern they were wrong to let him go so early.
GettySerhou Guirassy (Guinea)
Harry Kane has stolen most of the headlines in the Bundesliga this term after his prolific start to life at Bayern Munich, but Guirassy's exploits at Stuttgart have been arguably even more impressive. The former Koln and Rennes striker has found his true home at the MHPArena, with Sebastian Hoeness implementing the best system to maximise his unique strengths.
Guirassy has hit 17 goals in just 14 Bundesliga games, helping Stuttgart emerge as genuine top-four contenders, and it has been reported that he's now on the radar of Manchester United and Newcastle. Guinea have been handed a tough draw at the AFCON alongside Senegal, Cameroon and Gambia in what looks to be the 'Group of Death', but in Guirassy, they have a weapon that no other team has – and he might just be able to inspire a historic run.