The Africa Cup of Nations kicks off this weekend over in Ivory Coast, as Senegal look to win back-to-back titles against the likes of the impressive Morocco and stars like Mohamed Salah for Egypt.
Let’s look at the stars to watch at AFCON this time around.
As the all-time top scorer for his country, Senegal’s Sadio Mane was instrumental in them winning the title two years ago. He has continued to impress this season with a move to the Saudi Pro League in the summer, and he now has eight goals and four assists in 18 outings for Al-Nassr.
Mane is always one to watch, and he will likely rival his former Liverpool colleague, Salah, for the top scorer award.
Egypt's Mo Salah is undoubtedly one to watch in every game he plays, as the Liverpool legend continues to prove why he is arguably the best African player of all-time and one of this generation's very best.
The winger heads into this tournament off the back of netting 14 Premier League goals to rival Erling Haaland’s same tally in pursuit of the Golden Boot. In fact, Salah has been arguably the Premier League’s best player once again this season.
Vincent Aboubakar was extremely unfortunate not to match his talents of the previous AFCON with a title, as Cameroon finished third in front of their own fans. The Beşiktaş man, however, was arguably the best player at the competition with a stunning tally of eight goals for his nation.
A lot of hope over in Ivory Coast at these finals falls on the shoulders of Sébastien Haller. The Borussia Dortmund man will be the star striker for his country in front of their own crowd, and there is perhaps an argument he takes home the top scorer award, should Ivory Coast go far enough in the competition.
One of Europe’s most wanted talents is Nigeria's Victor Osimhen. The Napoli superstar was arguably the best player in Serie A last season as he became the first African to win Italy’s top scorer award with 26 goals in 32 matches. He has continued to impress this season with 14 goals in 27 matches as well.
Osimhen will no doubt rival the likes of Haller and Salah for the top scorer award, and the Nigerian already has 20 goals in 27 matches for his nation.