7 Key players to watch at the AFCON 2023

The 2023 African Cup of Nations will showcase some of the best players on the continent when the competition kicks off on January 13, 2023, and ends on February 11, 2023, in Ivory Coast.

Most of these players will look to bring their best performance whenever they represent their nations at the competition. However, some players will light up the stage with their amazing skill and footwork as they look to win the most prestigious trophy on the continent.

Here are the top seven players to watch out for at the competition

(1) Victor Osimhen ( Nigeria )

Victor Osimhen

The Super Eagles forward player will come into the competition hoping that he can bring his form from Napoli to the national team as they look to win the tournament for the fourth time. He will also be coming with his crown as the best player on the continent, the first Nigerian to win the award since Kanu Nwankwo.

(2) Mohamed Salah ( Egypt )

Mohamed Salah

The Pharaohs will hope that the Egyptian King as he is popularly called in Liverpool will bring his best form to Ivory Coast as they look to win the AFCON for the eighth time in the history of the competition. Mohamed Salah led Egypt to a second-place finish in the last edition when he lost the winning medal to Senegal on penalties.

(3) Mohammed Kudus ( Ghana)

The midfielder has been a key part of West Ham United's success since he joined the Hammers this season. The 23-year-old Ghanaian sensation will be one of the key players for the West African Nation. The Black Stars will hope he brings his form to the competition as they will be looking to the AFCON for the first time since 1982.

(4) Sébastien Haller (Côte d'Ivoire)

The Ivorian is also a key figure to look out for when he plays in front of his home supporters as they hope to become the first nation to host and win the AFCON since Egypt achieved this feat in 2006. The Elephants will hope that Sébastien Haller finds his form and makes a big impact at Africa’s biggest football competition.

(5) Vincent Aboubakar ( Cameroon)

The forward player will hope he can lead the Indomitable Lions to a sixth AFCON title when they take centre stage in Ivory Coast. Aboubakar physical ability is the best way, he always gets past defenders in football matches and he hopes that he replicates that same form in the competition.

(6) Hakim Ziyech ( Morocco)

Hakim Ziyech

The former Chelsea player was a key part of Morocco's success at the 2022 FIFA World Cup which was hosted in Qatar. The supporters of the Atlas Lions hope he can bring that same form to the AFCON.

(7) Peter Shalulile ( Namibia)

The 30-year-old has been impressive for South Africa’s Mamelodi Sundowns. He was part of the team that won the inaugural African Football League and could also win the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League. He will be key for Namibia in Cote d’Ivoire.