As the African Cup of Nations is due to start tomorrow, here is a look at the top 10 international players that are going to star in the championship.
1. Mohamed Salah (Forward, Egypt)
Club: Liverpool (England)
The star of the show, Mohamed Salah is in spectacular goalscoring form, leading the Premier League in goals. He will hope that form carries over into AFCON, where Salah will be the most prolific goal scorer of any player in the tournament: 45 international goals across 74 caps.
2. Riyad Mahrez (Forward, Algeria)
Club: Manchester City (England)
The best player on the defending African champions, Mahrez has established himself as one of the most important players on Man City this season and should bring excellent attacking form to the tournament.
3. Sadio Mane (Forward, Senegal)
Club: Liverpool (England)
Sadio Mane prepares to lead a star-studded Senegal squad.
Mane has scored seven goals in his last 11 Senegal appearances entering the competition.
4. Edouard Mendy (Goalkeeper, Senegal)
Club: Chelsea (England)
The 29-year-old is statistically-speaking one of the top goalkeepers in the EPL this season, ranked in the top five by both WhoScored and SofaScore, meaning Senegal is getting one of the world’s best at peak form.
5. Thomas Partey (Midfielder, Ghana)
Club: Arsenal (England)
Thomas Partey has quietly transitioned into one of the most valuable players in the Premier League.
6. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (Forward, Gabon)
Club: Arsenal (England)
Pierre-Emerick Emiliano François Aubameyang is a professional footballer who plays as a striker for Premier League club Arsenal. Born in France, he represents and captains the Gabon national team. He is renowned for his pace, finishing, and off-ball movement.
7. Sebastien Haller (Forward, Ivory Coast)
Club: Ajax (Netherlands)
Sébastien Romain Teddy Haller is a professional footballer who plays as a forward for Eredivisie club Ajax and the Ivory Coast national team.
8. Wilfred Ndidi (Defender / Midfielder, Nigeria)
Club: Leicester City (England)
He is one of the most underrated players in the Premier League, and will be critical to Nigeria’s chances for a successful tournament.
9. Kalidou Koulibaly (Center back, Senegal)
Club: Napoli (Italy)
The Napoli star made headlines two years ago as a possible high-value transfer target, and he still remains one of the top defenders in Europe.
10. Achraf Hakimi (Right back, Morocco)
Club: Paris Saint-Germain (France)
Hakimi has been one of the best young talents in Africa for years now, as evidenced by his 41 international caps by age 23. Earning a big-money move from Inter Milan to PSG this past summer.
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