A host of football prospects have their eyes set on using the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) spotlight to not only lift their respective countries to glory but to also show the football what their talent can offer for the future.
The 34th edition of
Manchester City's
In no particular order,
Diomande is coming to the competition at the back of an impressive half season at Portuguese giants Sporting Lisbon where he has made 21 appearances scoring twice and providing one assist. He also played five
The youngster has brought stability in the defense of the Elephants and he even scored on
Standing at 1.9m, Diomande promises to shine with the backing of home fans.
The Red Bull Salzburg centre-forward has been on fire in the Austrian Bundesliga this season scoring eight goals in 17 games.
Konate, 19, made his senior national team debut for Côte d'Ivoire on
Aside from his main position as a striker, he is also capable of attacking from the wings due to his pace and artistry. He is a player who has the world at his feet and could be the secret weapon of coach
Hugo Buyla (
Born in
At 18, Buyla is regarded as an enterprising centre back who reads the game very well and has been tipped for success.
This is going to be his first
Franculino Dju (
Franculino Dju,19, is already a household name in the Danish Superligaen where he plays for FC Midtjylland.
The youngster has taken the Danish topflight league by storm netting six goals in 14 league games in the first round.
Dju was born in
Nuamah, was crowned the best young player and the overall player of the season for 2022/23 in
The youngster has a fantastic left foot and he can decide the outcome of games through individual brilliance.
Camara plies his trade at French Ligue 1 side Metz.
Despite Metz's stumbling form in the French elite division, the 20-year-old central midfielder has shown his pedigree scoring once and providing two assists in 17 games.
He will be key for
Ilaix Moriba (
A former Spanish youth international, Moriba 20, switched allegiance to play for
An all-round midfielder who is capable of playing in the central, defensive and attacking role, Moriba plays his club football for RB Leipzig in the German Bundesliga.
He previously played for Spanish La Liga giants FC Barcelona where he progressed from the youth team up to the senior team making 18 first team appearances and scoring one goal.
Pape
Sarr is not new to the big stage. The CAF 2022 young player of the year goes into the 2023
The 21-year-old central midfielder has been superb for
He is arguably the best of all the young players going into the 2023
Zito Luvombo (
The "Palancas Negras" or "Black Antelopes of
Their poster boy is Zito Andre Sebastian Luvumbo who plays for Italian Serie A side
Luvumbo started his international career with
At 21, Luvumbo has already made eight senior national team appearances and he will be the arrowhead for
For lovers of the
The 19-year-old Genk midfielder is among the exciting teenagers in
Khannous was born in
He made his international debut for
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