It’s no longer news that the biggest football carnival in the continent, the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) is set to kick off in seven days in Ivory Coast.
According to CAF, the 34th edition of the tournament will feature 24 teams with 52 matches played across the six stadiums from January 13 to February 11, 2024.
The high point of the 2023 AFCON is the array of stars that will be on the ground for the tournament.
Here, BusinessDay takes a look at the five stars to watch in Ivory Coast.
Victor Osimhen
Nigeria forward and the newly crowned Africa Men’s Player of the Year Victor Osimhen will lead the Super Eagles’ attacking line as Nigeria aims for its fourth AFCON title in Ivory Coast.
The 25-year-old Napoli striker was in impressive form for Parthenopeans last season, where he helped the team clinch the Serie A title for the first time in 33 years.
Osimhen, who finished as the top scorer during the AFCON qualifying series with 10 goals, will aim to continue his goal-scoring spree in Ivory Coast.
Super Eagles head coach, Jose Peseiro will be banking on Osimhen to help Nigeria clinch the 2023 AFCON title.
Mohamed Salah
Prolific Egyptian striker and captain, Mohamed Salah, will be one of the focal points as he leads the Pharaoh’s squad in their 26th AFCON appearance and hopefully break the jinx in Ivory Coast.
Salah has lost two AFCON finals – in 2017 as a young striker and in 2021 as the captain as his side lost to Senegal in a penalty shootout.
Now the 31-yearly Salah who has been prolific for Liverpool this season will help guide Egypt to win their record-extending eighth AFCON time.
Sadio Mane
Senegal won the last AFCON edition in 2021, defeating Egypt on penalties in the final in Cameroon and Senegal captain Sadio Mane said it would be a special achievement for him to lift the AFCON title again.
Mane won the Best Player in the 2021 AFCON and now will lead the Teranga Lions as they hope to defend their title.
In an interview with CAFOnline, the 31-year-old said the AFCON trophy remains one of the best trophies he has won and is confident Senegal can defend the title.
Mohammed Kudus
Mohammed Kudus has been in inspiring form for English Premiership side West Ham United, the 23-year-old Ghanaian sensation will be one of the key players for the Black Stars in their pursuit of their fifth AFCON title.
Vincent Aboubakar
Cameroon captain Vincent Aboubakar has been in sublime form for the Indomitable Lions in the past two years.
The 31-year-old Cameroon captain won the Golden Boot at the 2021 AFCON after scoring eight at the tournament.
Abubakar has so far netted 37 goals and is currently the third-highest scorer in the history of the Cameroonian national team, behind Roger Milla who holds 43 goals and Samuel Eto’o with 56 goals.
His mental strength and leadership will be key in guiding his teammates to a 6th star for Cameroon.
