Ex-Chelsea star tips Onyedika to shine - 'AFCON always produces new heroes'

Former Chelsea and Ivory Coast forward Salomon Kalou has singled out Belgium-based Raphael Onyedika as one of the breakout stars to watch at AFCON 2025.

Pulse Sports Nigeria reports that Kalou believes the Super Eagles midfielder is ready to announce himself on the continental stage.

"Raphael Onyedika gives Nigeria extra steel in midfield; he's still developing, but tournaments like this are where players grow into leaders," Kalou stated in his capacity as Duelbits Brand Ambassador. 

The former Chelsea and Ivory Coast star, who also tipped Nigeria for the title, knows what it takes to shine under pressure, he's won both the Champions League and AFCON, and his endorsement carries serious weight.

Onyedika has been quietly brilliant all season, for his club Club Brugge, combining physicality with technical quality in a way that's caught the attention of those who understand midfield play. 

Despite playing a fringe role under Malian coach Eric Chelle, Kalou's assessment reflects a growing sense that this tournament could be the 24-year-old's coming-out party, the moment he steps out of the shadows and into the spotlight alongside Nigeria's established stars.

"AFCON isn't just about the stars everyone knows, it's also about the players who announce themselves on the big stage," Kalou added, listing other emerging talents like Ayoub El Kaabi, Dango Ouattara, and Ivory Coast's Seko Fofana as names to watch. 

"These are the names I'll be watching closely, because AFCON always produces new heroes."

For Onyedika, the challenge is clear: transform potential into performance when it matters most. If Nigeria goes deep into the tournament, don't be surprised if this midfielder becomes the name everyone's talking about, just as Kalou predicted.