AFCON 2025: 10 Footballers to watch out for in Morocco

The 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco is poised to be a historic spectacle, marking the 35th edition of the continent's most prestigious football tournament.

From the opening match on December 21, 2025, in Rabat to the final on January 18, 2026, the stakes are sky high for the 24 nations vying for continental supremacy.

As the footballing world turns its eyes toward Africa, these ten players are set to define their countries' destinies.

From seasoned veterans with storied careers to rising stars making waves in Ligue 1 and the Premier League, these African mavericks could prove pivotal to their teams’ fortunes.

Kamory Doumbia enters AFCON 2025 as the creative engine of an "Eagles" side that has become Africa’s most consistent technical force. The 22-year-old Brest playmaker has enjoyed a standout 2025, recording 4 goals and 2 assists in 12 Ligue 1 appearances by December.

Doumbia standsout for his low-gravity press resistance and is one of the hardest-working attacking midfielders in Europe.

On the international stage, Doumbia has been prolific, boasting an incredible 14 goals in just 26 caps for Mali, including 5 goals in 7 appearances during the 2025 calendar year.

Mali is drawn in a tough Group A alongside the hosts, Morocco, Comoros, and Zambia, but the expectation for the Eagles is still a deep run into the semi-finals, thanks to a midfield that can dominate possession against anyone.

Doumbia is the primary architect, and his ability to find the final ball in transition will be vital for Mali to navigate the knockout stages.

Victor Osimhen remains the gold standard for African strikers, characterised by relentless high-pressing and explosive aerial dominance.

Since his high-profile permanent move to Galatasaray, Osimhen has been in terrifying form, recording 12 goals in 16 appearances during the 2025/26 season, coming off a loan campaign where he scored 3 goals in 41 appearances.

Osimhen’s national team record is equally impressive, with 31 goals in 45 games for the Super Eagles, maintaining a scoring rate of 0.69 goals per game forthe Super Eagles.

Osimhen’s unrivalled verticality, his ability to challenge for every long ball and turn half-chances into goals make him a one-man wrecking machine who is always fun to watch, especially in high-pressure situations like the 2025 AFCON.

Nigeria enters Group C as one of the favourites to lift the trophy after their runners-up finish in the previous edition.

Osimhen is the focal point of an attack that is arguably the most potent on the continent, and the 2023 African Footballer of the Year and a proven winner in Italy and Turkey, as well as being one of the primary candidate for the Golden Boot, and the man Nigeria relies on to settle the most pressurised matches.

Ademola Lookman has ascended to the pinnacle of global football, after winning the 2024 African Footballer of the Year, while also receiving a Ballon d'Or nomination that same year.

The Atalanta forward has been clinical in Bergamo, recording 55 career goals for the Italian club and maintaining a sparkling run in the Champions League with 6 goals in 12 appearances.

Lookman’s mastery of the half-space area between the opposition's wing-back and centre-back and his ability to manipulate these zones were famously demonstrated in his Europa League final hat-trick, and he has carried that form to the Super Eagles, where he has become a consistent creative outlet.

Drawn with Tunisia in Group C, Nigeria is expected to be there or thereabouts at the business end of AFCON 2025, and Lookman’s partnership with Osimhen will be the tournament's most scrutinised tactical duo.

Unlike traditional wingers, Lookman functions as a "wide 10," and his vision will be the key to unlocking the compact North African defences that Nigeria will inevitably face in the latter stages.

Returning to the AFCON stage for what could be his swan song, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is proving that age is just a number.

After a prolific stint in Saudi Arabia with Al-Qadsiah, where he netted 17 goals in 32 matches during the 2024/25 season, Aubameyang remains a top-tier threat after his move to Marseille.

The Gabonese star’s elite positioning; even at 36, makes him one of the continent’s most consistent marksmen.

With nearly 40 gooals for Gabon, including 7 in the recently concluded World Cup qualifiers, Aubameyang is his nation's greatest-ever player and a former Bundesliga and Premier League Golden Boot winner.

Gabon faces a steep challenge to progress deep into the tournament, but with Aubameyang, they possess a "one-chance, one-goal" specialist. The expectation for the Panthers is to navigate the group stage and cause a major upset in the Round of 16.

Sadio Mane continues to be the heartbeat of the Senegalese national team. Now a veteran at Al Nassr, Mane has transitioned from a pure speed merchant to a seasoned creative force, recording 3 goals and 4 assists in just 9 league matches in the 2025/26 Saudi Pro League season.

Mane’s is equally dangerous finishing with either foot, a trait that has seen him reach 51 goals for Senegal heading into the 2025 AFCON.

A two-time African Footballer of the Year and a Champions League winner, Mane’s experience in high-pressure knockout football is the cornerstone of a transitioning Senegalese squad.

The "Lions of Teranga" are on a mission of redemption after their early exit in the 2023 edition, and are expected to win Group D comfortably, with a semi-final berth the least of Senegal’s expectations.

Mane’s role has evolved into a "free ten" position, where he orchestrates attacks and draws defenders away from younger stars like Nicolas Jackson, but his ability to deliver in the biggest moments still makes him the most influential figure in a Senegal side seeking to reclaim their status as Africa's best.

Mohamed Salah enters AFCON 2025 as a global icon whose efficiency remains legendary. His 2024/25 campaign with Liverpool was historic, as he became the first man to register 10+ goals and 10+ assists in six separate Premier League seasons, finishing with a record 47 goal involvements.

The Egyptian King was rewarded with a monumental clean sweep of Premier League awards, winning the Golden Boot, Playmaker award, and Player of the Year award as well.

Even with his recent struggles, Salah averages a goal or assist every 92 minutes, and for the Egyptian national team, he is without question the talisman, carrying the weight of a nation that has won a record seven titles but remains hungry for its first since 2010.

Egypt is drawn into Group B with South Africa, Angola, and Zimbabwe and are expected to dominate, thanks to big names like Salah.

The Pharaohs are expected to reach the final four at a minimum, and Salah’s ability to find space against low-block defences will be the deciding factor.

If Egypt is to win their eighth title, it will be because Salah successfully navigates the intense physical marking he receives, acting as the primary source of inspiration for a tactically disciplined squad.

As the host nation’s primary target man, Youssef En-Nesyri carries the hopes of millions. The Fenerbahce striker is famed for his extraordinary leap and heading accuracy, famously demonstrated during Morocco's historic 2022 World Cup run.

En-Nesyri’s stats reflect a high-volume shooter, and he has recently been clinical in European competition, especially under ex-boss Jose Mourinho.

Morocco are the overwhelming favourites to win the title on home soil. Playing in front of their passionate fans in Rabat, the Atlas Lions are expected to reach the final.

En-Nesyri’s role is to act as the space-maker with his constant runs behind the defence to stretch the opposition, allowing creative players like Brahim Diaz to operate in the gaps.

In a tournament where set-pieces often decide tight knockout matches, En-Nesyri’s aerial dominance will be Morocco’s most potent weapon in their quest for a second continental crown.

Riyad Mahrez remains the "Magician" of African football, possessing a first touch that is widely considered the best in the world.

Currently at Al-Ahli, Mahrez has maintained his creative output in the 2025/26 season, recording 28 key passes and 7 big chances created in the early part of the season.

Mahrez is a master of the 1-v-1, using his trademark fake shot to send defenders the wrong way before curling a shot into the far corner. An AFCON champion in 2019 and a treble winner with Manchester City, his pedigree is unparalleled in the Algerian camp.

Algeria enters the 2025 tournament with a point to prove after back-to-back group-stage disappointments, but they are expected to reach the semi-finals, with a talented squad that has Mahrez acting as the tactical pivot.

While he may lack the pace of his youth, Mahrez’ vision and set-piece delivery remain world-class, and Algeria's success will depend on whether Mahrez can find the final ball to unlock compact defensive blocks.

Achraf Hakimi is the modern definition of a complete full-back, the face of the host nation, and the reigning African Player of the Year.

The PSG star enters the tournament as arguably the best in his position globally, boasting a unique blend of 34.64 km/h top speed and an eye for goal.

His 2024/25 season was statistically dominant, with Hakimi contributing significantly to PSG’s Champions League run with 4 goals and 5 assists, the most for a defender in the competition’s history.

Hakimi is equally adept at overlapping or underlapping and is comfortable crossing from the touchline or cutting inside to act as a central playmaker.

As the captain and icon of the Atlas Lions, Hakimi is expected to lead Morocco to the trophy. His partnership with whoever ends up on the right side for Morocco is likely to be the engine room of the hosts’ attack.

Hakimi’s recovery speed allows Morocco to play a high defensive line, while his goal-scoring threat from free-kicks adds an extra dimension. For Morocco, a fully fit Hakimi is the blueprint for their success, and anything less than a final appearance would be considered a disappointment for the host nation.

Manchester United forward Bryan Mbeumo has transitioned from a supporting actor to a legitimate global superstar.

The ex-Brentford talisman was in explosive form throughout the 2024/25 season, recording 20 goals and 7 assists in a single Premier League campaign, the most in the Bees’ history.

Mbeumo’s physicality in the transition phase makes him a rare winger who can hold off powerful defenders while maintaining outstanding shot accuracy.

His ability to score from distance and his clinical finishing inside the box make him a nightmare for defenders who cannot decide whether to press him or drop off.

Cameroon, the five-time champions, enter AFCON 2025 as a formidable force despite ongoing FA and coaching troubles.

While they are in a difficult group with the Ivory Coast, they are expected to reach at least the quarter-finals.

Mbeumo will be the primary offensive outlet for a team that thrives on physical dominance and direct play. His versatility allows him to play as a right-winger or a centre-forward, providing Cameroon with tactical flexibility.

If Mbeumo can recreate his Brentford form in the tournament, the Indomitable Lions could easily cause an upset and reclaim their status as Africa’s premier footballing nation.