Mbekelezi Mbokazi, Other Four Top Stars to Watch Out for at the Africa Cup of Nations
- The Africa Cup of Nations is about to showcase talents from the continent when the tournament kicks off in a few days
- Some players have been tipped to light up the competition with their performances on the pitch
- A sports journalist, in an exclusive chat with Briefly News, listed the top five players to watch out for
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The 2025 Africa Cup of Nations is just a few days away from kicking off, and an array of star players are expected to light up the competition in Morocco.
Source: Getty Images
South Africa has been tipped as one of the favourites to win the competition by a World Cup winner after finishing third at the last edition in Ivory Coast.
The competition serves as an avenue for top African youngsters to showcase their football talents, with the world watching.
5 Stars to watch out for at AFCON
Sports journalist Kingsley Akpan, in a chat with Briefly News, has listed five players to look out for as the Africa Cup of Nations is about to kick off in Morocco in a few days.
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"Mbekelezi Mbokazi was exceptional for South Africa during the AFCON and World Cup qualifiers, so he's one of the players most fans are looking out for in Morocco," he said.
"He recently got a move away from Orlando Pirates, but I wish he could have stayed till the end of the season and played at the AFCON. Maybe a better offer from Europe might have come."
"The recently crowned African Footballer of the Year, Achraf Hakimi, is another player on this list. Even if he's currently battling an ankle injury, he's expected to be at the competition."
"Liverpool's Mohamed Salah would be hoping to lead Egypt to the title once again after losing in the finals of the 2017 and 2021 editions."
"Sadio Mane might have been off the radar in terms of club football, but he's still a top star to look out for during the AFCON."
"Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen would also come into the tournament with the hope of compensating Nigerians after they failed to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup."
Source: Getty Images
Akpan also mentioned some of the countries he thinks can dethrone Ivory Coast as the new African champions.
“The number one favourite is definitely the host nation, Morocco. Aside from playing in front of their fans, they are also the highest-ranked African country competing while having a strong squad,” he added.
“They have one of the best squads with the current best player on the continent in their team.”
“Another team to look out for is the Super Eagles of Nigeria. Despite their unfortunate outing during the World Cup qualifiers, they will go all out to compensate Nigerians by winning AFCON after finishing second in the last edition.”
“South Africa is the third team. They’ve become a solid team under Hugo Broos, finishing third in Ivory Coast last year and going on an unbeaten run during the qualifiers. Heading into AFCON, they are in the favourites conversation.”
“Senegal and Algeria are also eyeing to reclaim the AFCON crown after their poor performance in the 2023 edition in Ivory Coast.”
Williams reacts to 2026 World Cup draw
Briefly News earlier reported that Mamelodi Sundowns goalkeeper Ronwen Williams shared his thoughts on Bafana Bafana's group at the 2026 World Cup.
The Bafana Bafana captain also talked about their chances of qualifying from their group in the competition.
Source: Briefly News
