AFCON 2023's future stars: Watch out for Kudus, Diomande, and more
Find out who are the young African stars hoping to follow in the footsteps of Mohammed Salah, Victor Osimhen and Sadio Mane.
Football
The CAF Africa Cup of Nations is a tournament for football legends in the making, a continental stage where players can earn global recognition.
And while Mohamed Salah, Victor Osimhen and Sadio Mane are among the world’s best players headlining the 34th edition of the tournament in Côte d'Ivoire this month, there are some younger stars hoping to see their names in flashing lights as well.
From the midfielder currently shining for West Ham to the CAF Young Player of the Year who won the U20 AFCON title last summer, here’s a look at the emerging names who could make this AFCON their own.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - AUGUST 5: Ousmane Diomande of Sporting CP in action during the pre-season friendly match between Everton and Sporting Lisbon at Goodison Park on August 5, 2023 in Liverpool, England.
Ousmane Diomande, 20, Côte d'Ivoire
The young diamond of a host nation looking to shock an entire continent, Ousmane Diomande is going places, with the 20-year-old already linked with Europe’s biggest clubs and on course to become one of Africa’s best defenders.
The centre-back graduated from Danish side Midtjylland’s academy in 2022 and quickly attracted interest from Portuguese side Sporting CP, who signed the Ivorian 12 months ago.
One year later, Diomande has become a regular for Sporting, and on top of his imposing 6ft 3ins (1.92m) frame, his ability on the ball gives him the qualities now craved by defenders in the modern era.
Mohammed Kudus, 23, Ghana
David Moyes was nothing but honest about the impact of West Ham losing Mohammed Kudus during AFCON.
“I have to say, we will hugely miss him,” said West Ham manager Moyes, who raved about Kudus’ work ethic within a side currently sixth in the Premier League table.
The attacking midfielder has fought his way into the West Ham starting XI, and recently scored in the wins over Wolves and Manchester United, while for Ghana he has emerged as an important player since making his debut aged 19 in 2019.
Lamine Camara, 20, Senegal
The future looks bright for reigning AFCON champions Senegal, particularly with Lamine Camara and Pape Matar Sarr in central midfield.
Camara made his international debut at the start of 2023 and already has eight senior appearances, scoring twice.
A year to remember also saw the Metz midfielder help Senegal win the U20 AFCON title in the summer, and he was subsequently named CAF Young Player of the Year, following in the footsteps of Osimhen, Achraf Hakimi and Tottenham 21-year-old Sarr, who won the award in 2022.
MADRID, SPAIN - MARCH 28: Bilal El Khannous of Morocco passes the ball during the international friendly game between Morocco and Peru at Civitas Metropolitan Stadium on March 28, 2023 in Madrid, Spain.
Bilal El Khannous, 19, Morocco
It speaks of Morocco’s quality that Azzedine Ounahi, 23, and 22-year-old Abdessamad Ezzalzouli also warrant a mention, but Bilal El Khannous gets the nod as the youngest of this trio at 19.
El Khannous started at Anderlecht’s academy before switching to Belgian rivals Genk, where he has gone on to become a regular fixture in attacking midfield.
This season he has three goals and three assists in Belgium’s Jupiler Pro League, and as well as being shortlisted for CAF’s Young Player of the Year in 2023, he also won the U23 AFCON with Morocco in the summer.
In doing so, El Khannous is set to represent Morocco at the Paris 2024 Summer Olympics, where they are one of three African nations competing along with Egypt and Mali.
LUTON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 3: Issa Kabore of Luton Town during the Premier League match between Luton Town and Burnley FC at Kenilworth Road on October 3, 2023 in Luton, England.
Issa Kabore, 22, Burkina Faso
Burkina Faso, ranked 10th among African nations in FIFA’s rankings, will harbour hopes of once more being the surprise package of AFCON, two years on from reaching the semi-finals.
And at the heart of this charge is attacking right-back Issa Kabore, the Manchester City 22-year-old currently on loan at fellow Premier League side Luton Town.
Kabore was voted AFCON’s Best Young Player in the previous edition, and remarkably has already played 32 matches for Burkina Faso at the age of just 22. He will hope to play seven more in Côte d'Ivoire.