The CAF Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) gets under way today, with the host nation Morocco facing Comoros in Group “A” at Rabat’s Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium.
Across the four week-long continental showpiece, some of the game’s biggest names will take centre stage.
Egypt's forward Mohamed Salah celebrates after winning their Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) 2021 round of 16 match against Ivory Coast at Stade de Japoma in Douala on January 26, 2022.
Photo credit: Charly Triballeau | AFP
Arguably the biggest African football star of his generation, Mohamed Salah heads into the tournament hoping to lead Egypt to a record-extending eighth title. But the 33-year-old arrives short of his usual standards: he has scored just five goals in 20 matches across all competitions this season and has slipped down the pecking order under Liverpool’s new manager, Arne Slot. Yet Salah’s importance to Egypt has never been in doubt. The two-time African Footballer of the Year remains their talisman, and his nine goals in the CAF World Cup qualifying phase were crucial in securing a spot at next summer’s World Cup.
At Afcon, Salah will be chasing both redemption and a return to the red-hot form that earned him the nickname “the Egyptian King”.
2. Achraf Hakimi (Morocco)
Paris St Germain's Achraf Hakimi delivers his acceptance speech after he was named African Footballer of the Year at the 2025 CAF Awards in Rabat on November 19,2025. He is the first defender to claim the prize in 52 years as he finished ahead of Mohamed Salah and Victor Osimhen in the voting.
Photo credit: Pool
Fresh off the high of being crowned African footballer of the year, Achraf Hakimi headlines the cast of star home nation players set to take the field in Morocco. The 27-year-old, widely regarded as one of the best right-backs in the world, was instrumental in PSG’s treble-winning campaign, capped off by their long-awaited Uefa Champions League triumph in May.
As Morocco’s captain, Hakimi carries the hopes of millions in the football-mad country. Morocco’s Atlas Lions will look to him not only for his defensive stability but also for his play-making spark as they chase only the second Afacon title in their history – 50 years after their maiden crown.
3. Victor Osimhen (Nigeria)
Nigeria's forward Victor Osimhen (right) fights for the ball with Cameroon's goalkeeper Fabrice Ondoa during their Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) 2024 round of 16 match at the Felix Houphouet-Boigny Stadium in Abidjan on January 27, 2024.
Photo credit: Issouf Sanogo | AFP
Still recovering from the heartbreak of missing out on the 2026 World Cup, Victor Osimhen will look for solace and vindication at the continental championship.
The Galatasaray forward, known for his trademark face mask, has been in prolific form this season with 12 goals in 16 matches across all competitions, including six in the Champions League.
Despite sitting second on Nigeria’s all-time scorers list, Osimhen has struggled to translate that dominance to major tournaments: he has found the net only once, at the previous AFCON in 2023 when the Super Eagles reached the final. This edition offers him a chance to change that narrative.
4. Bryan Mbeumo (Cameroon)
Switzerland's defender #13 Ricardo Rodriguez (left) fights for the ball with Cameroon's forward #20 Bryan Mbeumo during their Qatar 2022 World Cup Group G match at the Al-Janoub Stadium in Al-Wakrah, south of Doha on November 24, 2022.
Rediscovering his scoring touch, star forward Bryan Mbeumo could play a crucial role in Cameroon’s campaign as they begin a new chapter under a new coach following their failure to qualify for the World Cup.
With seven goals across all competitions, Mbeumo has been Manchester United’s standout performer in an otherwise mixed and chaotic season for the Red Devils.
An injury kept Mbeumo out of the previous Afcon, but this time, the 26-year-old has a golden opportunity to clinch his first trophy with Cameroon. The task, however, will not be straightforward. With veteran striker Vincent Aboubakar surprisingly left out of the squad, Mbeumo inherits the dual responsibility of leading the line and captaining the team.
5. Wilfried Zaha (Cote d’Ivoire)
Crystal Palace's Ivorian striker Wilfried Zaha reacts during their English Premier League match against Aston Villa at Villa Park in Birmingham, central England on July 12, 2020.
Photo credit: Rui Vieira | AFP
An impressive loan spell with Charlotte in Major League Soccer (MLS) has earned Wilfried Zaha a surprise recall to the national team for the first time in two years.
The 33-year-old winger was omitted from the squad that won Afcon 2023, but his return to form, marked by 10 goals and 10 assists this season, proved too compelling to ignore.
Zaha’s years of experience, ability to take on defenders and current sharpness should provide a timely boost to the reigning champions’ aspirations of defending their Afcon title in Morocco.
Senegal's forward Sadio Mane holds the trophy prior to the ceremony after winning the Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) 2021 final match against Egypt at Stade d'Olembe in Yaounde on February 6, 2022.
Photo credit: Charly Triballeau | AFP
Sadio Mane once dominated headlines with his exploits in Europe for clubs such as Liverpool and Bayern Munich, but his move to Al Nassr in the Saudi Pro League has shifted much of the media spotlight away from him.
Yet the 33-year-old, widely regarded as one of Africa’s greatest players, remains a decisive figure for Senegal: his five goals in CAF World Cup qualifying were the most by any Senegalese player.
In Morocco, Mane will aim to replicate the form that earned him player of the tournament honours at AFCON 2021 when the winger guided the Teranga Lions to their first continental title.
