The African Cup of Nations stands as Africa’s top football competition, bringing together the continent’s top national teams to compete for the prestigious AFCON trophy.
The 2025 edition of the tournament kicks off on the 21st of this month, with host nations Morocco taking on the Comoros in the opening match of the tournament. A total of 24 countries will compete to dethrone defending champions Ivory Coast, who won a third trophy with victory over Nigeria in the 2023 final.
Africa’s brightest talents will also be in the spotlight during the tournament, as they hope to produced inspiring performances to guide their respective countries to success.
Here are five standout players to watch out for at the 2025 African Cup of Nations tournament.
Bryan Mbeumo (Cameroon)
Bryan Mbeumo missed the previous edition of the African Cup of Nations with an ankle injury, and is set to make his debut at the tournament when it kicks off in Morocco later this month. The 26-year-old remains one of the best African footballers in the world and can cause havoc with his left foot.
The Manchester United forward will offer speed and goalscoring prowess for the Indomitable Lions and will be key if they are to progress from a tough group that also includes Gabon, Mozambique and defending champions Ivory Coast.
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Victor Osimhen (Nigeria)
Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen will be aiming to guide Nigeria to glory at his third attempt, having previously sealed bronze and silver medals in 2019 and 2023 respectively. The Galatasaray forward scored once and provided three assists in the last edition, and will be hoping to carry his current prolific form into this tournament.
Osimhen’s impact in the Nigerian national team continues to grow and as the country’s second all-time topscorer, he has the talent and experience to make a difference at the competition.
Brahim Diaz (Morocco)
With PSG right-back and reigning African footballer of the year award winner Achraf Hakimi a doubt as he continues his recovery from an ankle injury, Real Madrid forward Brahim Diaz is set to enter the tournament as one of Morocco’s main attacking threats.
The 26-year-old has been a regular part of the squad since switching allegiances in 2024 and finished the qualifying campaign with the most goals (7).
Iliman Ndiaye (Senegal)
Everton winger Iliman Ndiaye heads into his second African Cup of Nations tournament as part of a star-studded Senegal side that also boasts the likes of Sadio Mane, Nicolas Jackson and Ismaila Sarr.
The 25-year-old was impressive in his last appearance at the tournament and will be hoping to transform his impressive club form onto the continental competition.
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Chancel Mbemba (DR Congo)
Captain of the Democratic Republic of Congo side Chancel Mbemba will be making his sixth African Cup of Nations tournament appearance and will be aiming to build on the bronze medal he won in 2015.
The 31-year-old has been very integral to the Leopards push for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, scoring the winner in the CAF playoff semifinal win over Cameroon and also the winning penalty in the final win over Nigeria, as they advanced to the intercontinental playoff stage.
