By Grace Ekpo
Come Saturday, January 13, 2024, Africa’s finest footballers will lock horns for the 2024 African Cup of Nations (AFCON), hosted by Cote d’Ivoire.
The 34th edition of the biennial African association football tournament organized by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) will feature some of the best players on the continent, who have made their marks playing for some of the biggest teams in Europe.
ThisNigeria brings you some of the names to look out for in the one-month-long soccer event.
Nigeria’s Victor Osimhen: The current African Footballer of the Year and ‘Prince of Naples’ will lead the attack for the Super Eagles of Nigeria at the tournament. A prolific striker with 31 league goals for the reigning Italian champions, Osimhen will need to be at his best if the misfiring Eagles are to go far in the tournament, following their dismal performances in their past three preparatory matches.
Egypt’s Mo Salah: Arguably one of the best strikers in the world, Liverpool’s Mo Salah will look to bounce back from losing out on the Player of the Year (POTY) award to Victor Osimhen. A proven striker, the “Egyptian King” will hope to go one step further by winning the trophy.
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Sadio Mane: The newly-married versatile player will lead the line for the Teranga Lions of Senegal at the tournament. Mane is often considered one of the greatest African players of all time. All eyes will be on the Al Nassr player at the tournament when Senegal face The Gambia at the Charles Konan Banny Stadium, Yamoussoukro, on Monday, January 15.
Vincent Aboubakar: The Camerounian star will once again have the eyes of the continent on him as he looks to lead the Lions to victory at the tournament.
Sébastien Haller: The 30-year-old will hope to set the tournament of fire with the support of the home team behind him. Playing in his second AFCON, the Elephant will bank on home support and his prowess in front of goal to make the tournament a memorable one.
Mohammed Kudus: The 23-year-old Ghanian winger will look to set the tournament alight the way he has set the EPL on fire with West Ham United. If he can replicate the form for the Black Stars, Ghana might just go far in the tournament.
