Players You NEED to Keep an Eye On In AFCON 2025

Africa’s biggest football spectacle is almost upon us. As December has begun, national squads are being finalised, jets are charted for Morocco, and anticipation is reaching a fever pitch. AFCON 2025 kicks off in less than three weeks.

If there’s one thing the tournament guarantees, it’s unpredictability. The previous edition delivered a completely fresh set of last-16 teams, reminding the world why AFCON remains one of football’s most chaotic, captivating, and fiercely competitive stages.

In this article, we spotlight the players poised to light up the tournament, those with the talent, form, and fire to not only seize the spotlight but potentially carry their nations all the way to continental glory.

Let's dive in.

Mohamed Salah - Egypt

This one shocks no one. The Premier League’s greatest African export is gearing up for yet another shot at continental glory as Mohamed Salah leads Egypt into AFCON 2025. Egypt have seven AFCON titles, the most in Africa, yet in the Salah era, they are yet to lift the trophy.

Twice he has come agonisingly close, finishing as runner-up in 2017 and again in 2021. With 61 goals in 107 caps, he is the Pharaohs’ all-time top scorer and, without question, the nation’s greatest ever footballer.

Egypt vs Senegal AFCON Final 2021

-Should’ve been Salah’s perfect season. Best form in his career and this loss killed him mentally.
-Exciting Egypt team with lots of new faces (Marmoush, Abdelmonem) and great vibes.

A part of me died that night and it hasn’t recovered since https://t.co/18g83Rz9cE pic.twitter.com/a6a8DLKOKc

— Youssef (@HEATYoussef) October 18, 2024

Salah has represented Egypt on every major stage, the Olympics, the 2018 World Cup, but the clock is ticking. At this point in his career, he knows chances to finally claim the continent’s biggest prize are slipping away. Fresh off a fourth-place finish in the 2025 Ballon d’Or and already a two-time African Footballer of the Year, a triumphant AFCON run could strengthen the argument that he deserves the sport’s ultimate individual honour.

Salah remains a world-class force, and with this possibly his last dance in the tournament, he’s undoubtedly one of the standout players to watch.

Lyle Foster - South Africa

Lyle Foster has played for Burnley since 2023, bouncing between the Premier League and the Championship. The last instalment of AFCON saw South Africa finish third, however due to personal reasons Foster wasn't in the squad.

Yet this time, fresh off a World Cup qualification, Foster will be looking to bring glory back to Bafana Bafana for the first time since 1996. Foster has scored 2 goals this season in the Premier League for Burnley, and was instrumental in South Africa's dramatic World Cup qualification, which saw them finish above Nigeria to claim automatic qualification.

If it wasn’t for God pic.twitter.com/K7hocMJDvR

— Lyle Foster (@LyleBFoster_9) October 19, 2025

For the national team, he has scored 8 goals in 24 appearances. At just 25 years old, Lyle Foster still has a lot to offer. Coach Hugo Broos has reinstated his importance to the side on numerous occasions, and Foster is sure to be the spearhead of this new era of South African football.

Youssef En-Nesyri - Morocco

Youssef En-Nesyri currently plays his football with Fenerbahçe in Turkey. In 75 appearances for them, he has 38 goals. Previously, he played for La Liga outlet Sevilla, netting 73 times in 196 appearances.

👑 Youseff En-Nesyri, ‘𝑴𝒊𝒔𝒕𝒆𝒓 𝑬𝒖𝒓𝒐𝒑𝒆’.

🇪🇺 En sus últimos cinco partidos en Europa, ha anotado en cuatro:

⚽️ Manchester United 2-2 Sevilla (1 gol)
⚽️ Sevilla 3-0 Manchester United (2 goles)
⚽️ Juventus 1-1 Sevilla (1 gol)
⚽️ Manchester City 0-1 Sevilla (1 gol) pic.twitter.com/lMQy9qeCAB

— Afición Deportiva (@AfDeportiva_) August 16, 2023

A mainstay in the Morocco national side since 2016, the striker has scored 25 times in 85 appearances. With Morocco being the hosts of the tournament, they will be hoping to bring glory to the country, and En-Nesyri could be the difference maker.

En-Nesyri was part of the Morocco team that made the 2022 FIFA World Cup semi-finals, losing to France. In the quarter finals, he scored the only goal in their victory over Portugal.

En-Nesyri is a key player in a star-studded Morocco squad with the likes of recent Champions League winner Achraf Hakimi, so we can expect fireworks from the 28-year-old forward this December.

Cedric Bakambu - DR Congo

Cedric Bakambu is a 34-year-old veteran striker, with a career spanning over 20 years across France, Spain, Turkey, China, and now Spain again; he is sure to cause a rumble at this AFCON.

For DR Congo, he has netted 20 times in 47 appearances since his debut in 2015. Most recently, he has helped push the side to the brink of World Cup qualification, defeating Nigeria in a play-off round. Last season saw him finish as a runner-up in the UEFA Conference League with Real Betis.

RD CONGO 🇨🇩🔥#FIFAWorldCup #FIFAWCQ2026 pic.twitter.com/hTKAUsVRti

— Cédric Bakambu (@Bakambu17) November 18, 2025

This season, Bakambu has started slowly with Real Betis, only scoring 2 goals in 12 appearances. However, make no mistake, Bakambu is an experienced striker. If DR Congo have a chance in the AFCON, then Bakambu will be at the forefront.

Bryan Mbeumo - Cameroon

Back in August 2022, following a meeting with Samuel Eto'o, Bryan Mbeumo switched allegiance from France to Cameroon and featured for the side in the 2022 World Cup.

Mbeumo has 7 goals in 27 appearances for Cameroon, and his Premier League career has been nothing short of explosive. Signing for Man United in the summer, Mbeumo already has one Premier League player of the month award to his name this season.

Cameroon lose to DR Congo in the World Cup qualification play-offs, which means Bryan Mbeumo will not be going to the 2026 World Cup.

Head up, Bryan. ❤️ pic.twitter.com/HQjKJLbD0t

— UF (@UtdFaithfuls) November 13, 2025

After failing to qualify for the 2026 World Cup, Cameroon will be looking to bounce back in a major way and lift their 6th AFCON title. Mbeumo will be hoping to taste glory for the first time with the country and could be the difference maker for the side.

His ability to play on the wing and up front serves as beneficial for Cameroon, and his proven quality will definitely help their case.

Victor Osimhen - Nigeria

Osimhen is a man out for revenge. After Nigeria failed to qualify for the 2026 World Cup, the Super Eagles will be looking to restore some hope in the nation's football.

Nigeria finished as runners-up in the last instalment of the AFCON, losing narrowly to hosts Ivory Coast. The Galatasaray striker has an impressive 31 goals in 39 appearances for Nigeria and is yet to taste glory with his country.

🤍💚🦅 Victor Osimhen delivers an hat-trick for Nigeria reaching 6 goals and 1 assist for club/country this season. pic.twitter.com/mNXC78GQup

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) October 14, 2025

One of the most prolific strikers in Europe, Osimhen is Nigeria's highest-ever scorer. The masked man will be sure to terrify defences across the continent.

Patson Daka - Zambia

Patson Daka signed for Leicester in 2021 and has played for the club in both the Premier League and the Championship. Previously, he was a young starlet at Red Bull Salzburg in Austria.

After making his Zambia debut at the age of 17 in 2015, the striker has netted 20 times in 35 appearances. One-time winners of the AFCON in 2012, Zambia haven't come close since.

👉 Patson Daka has scored one goal in his last 37 official matches for Leicester City and the Zambia National Team. This is 1 goal in 37 matches for a striker. Considering only matches for Leicester City, he has scored 2 goals in his last 49 matches. #LCFC #Leicester pic.twitter.com/i6PM4m5rYe

— LCFC Daily News (@cuzcuzverde) October 22, 2025

Daka has been quiet in front of goal recently for Leicester and is suffering from a major slump in form, but with the nation's hopes on his shoulders, he might just recapture his goalscoring prowess this December.

Mohau Nkota - South Africa

Nkota is a 21-year-old right winger who plays his football in Saudi Arabia for Al-Ettifaq. After making his debut for the national team back in May 2025, he has shone for Bafana Bafana.

🚨 Mohau Nkota tipped to become Bafana’s secret weapon 🇿🇦⚡

🗣️ "Although he’s playing in Saudi Arabia, the quality there is high and he’s performing at the highest level. You can see the difference when he comes back to Bafana. He’s direct, dynamic and athletic. This boy will… pic.twitter.com/S66H0CNZRF

— SoccerBeat (@SoccerBeatZA) December 1, 2025

His youthful fearlessness, accompanied by his blistering pace and trickery, makes him a danger to any defence on the continent. Nkota was instrumental in South Africa's qualification campaign for the 2026 World Cup, and after receiving his first AFCON call-up, he will be looking to repay the faith that has been put in him. A young player to watch, for sure.

Ademola Lookman - Nigeria

Ademola Lookman was named the African Footballer of the Year for 2024 after his Europa League-winning campaign with Atalanta, which saw him score a hattrick in the final against an unbeaten Bayer Leverkusen.

ADEMOLA LOOKMAN IS THE 2024 CAF MEN’S PLAYER OF THE YEAR 🇳🇬🏆 pic.twitter.com/7aZ5UTLvzL

— B/R Football (@brfootball) December 16, 2024

The former Fulham and Everton man has grown into a seasoned professional in Italy; now 28 years old, he is one of Serie A's most dangerous attacking midfielders. Capable of playing up front and on both wings, Lookman offers versatility like no other.

Lookman is an anomaly, and his technical dribbling, accompanied by his knack for finding the net from tight angles make him a serious threat. Partnering with Victor Osimhen, the Super Eagles will fancy their chances after finishing as runners-up last time round.

Omar Marmoush - Egypt

Marmoush signed for Man City in January 2025 off the back of an impressive stint at Frankfurt, scoring 37 times in 67 appearances for the Bundesliga side.

Omar Marmoush scores and dazzles for Egypt! 🇪🇬✨ pic.twitter.com/xN9tecbq3H

— City Report (@cityreport_) November 17, 2025

Capable of playing on the wing, behind the striker, or up front himself, Marmoush offers a rare blend of versatility. He has made 40 appearances for Egypt and scored 7 times. Just like his compatriot Mohamed Salah, he is yet to win the AFCON.

Marmoush and Salah might just be the dynamic duo that fires Egypt back to Africa's elite.

Nicolas Pepe - Ivory Coast

Ivory Coast are the current holders of the AFCON after winning it on their home soil back in January 2024.

Nicolas Pepe has had an interesting career; after starring at Lille as a youth, he earned a move to Arsenal. His time at the Emirates was underwhelming, however, and the player was released in 2023. Now playing for Villarreal, he looks to have recaptured the form he once had with Lille.

Nicolas Pépé was feeling it after regaining the lead for #TeamCotedIvoire 😤 pic.twitter.com/mjrda0w2XX

— B/R Football (@brfootball) January 16, 2022

The one-time AFCON winner offers a creative outlet for Ivory Coast in attack; his silky dribbling and deceptive pace, accompanied by his knack for finding a pass, as well as his skill from the dead ball, are a definite threat.

Closing Remarks

As mentioned, the AFCON is the most unpredictable tournament in the world.

Twenty-four nations. One crown. Countless moments waiting to be written. The world is watching as players return to the continent from every corner of the globe, carrying not just their talent but the hopes of millions.

Some are arriving as rising stars ready to explode onto the world stage, while others come as seasoned warriors seeking one last shot at immortality. AFCON 2025 will test character as much as skill. It will create new heroes, redeem forgotten ones, and remind us why football on African soil is unlike anything else on Earth.

So keep your eyes fixed on these players, because in a tournament where chaos is tradition, any one of them could deliver the moment that defines a nation. The drums are beating. The stage is set. Let the battle for Africa begin.