A bunch of soccer prospects have their eyes set on utilizing the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) highlight to not solely raise their respective international locations to glory however to additionally present the soccer what their expertise can provide for the long run.
The thirty fourth version of AFCON, the continent’s most prestigious nations soccer event, will happen in Cote d’Ivoire from January 13 by way of February 11.
Manchester Metropolis’s Issa Kabore, who’s now on mortgage at Luton City and Krepin Diatta of AS Monaco are amongst younger gamers who used the biennial competitors as an incredible avenue to maneuver increased of their profession.
In no explicit order, Occasions Sport takes a have a look at ten nice younger gamers who could make their mark on the 2023 AFCON.
Ousmane Diomande ( Côte d’Ivoire)
Eric Bailly will not be on the AFCON for host nation Côte D’Ivoire however, in 20-year-old central defender Ousmane Diomande, the Ivorians have a formidable guardsman who has the tendency to star within the competitors.
Diomande is coming to the competitors behind a powerful half season at Portuguese giants Sporting Lisbon the place he has made 21 appearances scoring twice and offering one help. He additionally performed 5 Europa League video games for the membership from which he scored as soon as.
The teen has introduced stability within the protection of the Elephants and he even scored on January 6 in a pleasant sport through which Côte d’Ivoire beat Sierra Leone 5-1.
Standing at 1.9m, Diomande guarantees to shine with the backing of dwelling followers.
Karim Konate (Côte d’Ivoire)
The Purple Bull Salzburg centre-forward has been on hearth within the Austrian Bundesliga this season scoring eight targets in 17 video games.
Konate, 19, made his senior nationwide staff debut for Côte d’Ivoire on September 3, 2021 in a 2022 World Cup qualifier towards Mozambique and has gone on to make 11 appearances, scoring twice within the course of.
Apart from his essential place as a striker, he’s additionally able to attacking from the wings attributable to his tempo and artistry. He’s a participant who has the world at his toes and may very well be the key weapon of coach Jean-Louis Gasset.
Hugo Buyla (Equatorial Guinea)
Born in Zaragoza, Spain, on March 18, 2005, the Atalanta centre again has been having fun with a mortgage spell at Sampdoria the place he has made six appearances within the Serie B League.
At 18, Buyla is considered an enterprising centre again who reads the sport very properly and has been tipped for achievement.
That is going to be his first AFCON and it might successfully be a superb springboard for his profession.
Franculino Dju ( Guinea Bissau)
Franculino Dju,19, is already a family identify within the Danish Superligaen the place he performs for FC Midtjylland.
The teen has taken the Danish topflight league by storm netting six targets in 14 league video games within the first spherical.
Dju was born in Portugal to Guinea Bissau dad and mom and he selected to play for the West African nation.
Guinea Bissau are underdogs in Group A which additionally contains host nation Côte D’Ivoire, Nigeria and Equatorial Guinea however, with Dju in assault, they will trigger upsets.
Ernest Nuamah (Ghana)
Ghana is just not wanting younger abilities and one explosive winger who they’ll parade in Cote D’Ivoire is 20-year-old Ernest Nuamah who performs for Lyon within the French Ligue 1.
Nuamah, was topped the most effective younger participant and the general participant of the season for 2022/23 in Denmark when he was enjoying for FC Nordsjaelland earlier than becoming a member of Lyon in July 2023.
The teen has a incredible left foot and he can determine the result of video games by way of particular person brilliance.
Lamine Camara (Senegal)
Camara plies his commerce at French Ligue 1 facet Metz.
Regardless of Metz’s stumbling type within the French elite division, the 20-year-old central midfielder has proven his pedigree scoring as soon as and offering two assists in 17 video games.
He can be key for Senegal in the course of the pitch as they hope to retain the title.
Ilaix Moriba (Guinea)
A former Spanish youth worldwide, Moriba 20, switched allegiance to play for Guinea in January 2022 and has to date performed 14 video games, scoring one objective.
An all-round midfielder who’s able to enjoying within the central, defensive and attacking position, Moriba performs his membership soccer for RB Leipzig within the German Bundesliga.
He beforehand performed for Spanish La Liga giants FC Barcelona the place he progressed from the youth staff as much as the senior staff making 18 first staff appearances and scoring one objective.
Pape Matar Sarr (Senegal)
Sarr is just not new to the large stage. The CAF 2022 younger participant of the yr goes into the 2023 AFCON as among the finest midfielders to look out for.
The 21-year-old central midfielder has been very good for Tottenham Hotspur within the English Premier League this season scoring twice and offering two assists in 18 video games.
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He’s arguably the most effective of all of the younger gamers going into the 2023 AFCON.
Zito Luvombo (Angola)
The “Palancas Negras” or “Black Antelopes of Angola are returning to the AFCON after making their final look in Egypt in 2019.
Their poster boy is Zito Andre Sebastian Luvumbo who performs for Italian Serie A facet Cagliari.
Luvumbo began his worldwide profession with Angola at U15 stage and went on to win the COSAFA U17 cup along with his nation in 2018 in Mauritius. He has performed at each youth stage for his nation.
At 21, Luvumbo has already made eight senior nationwide staff appearances and he would be the arrowhead for Angola.
Bilal El Khannouss (Morocco)
For lovers of the Belgian Jupiler Professional League, the identify Bilal El Khannouss definitely rings a bell.
The 19-year-old Genk midfielder is among the many thrilling youngsters in Belgium, having made 20 appearances this season from which he discovered the again of the web 3 times whereas he supplied three assists.
Khannous was born in Belgium to Moroccan dad and mom. He performed for the European nation from U15 as much as U18 ranges earlier than opting to symbolize the land of his dad and mom in December 2022.
He made his worldwide debut for Morocco through the 2022 World Cup third place sport towards Croatia.
