Africa Cup of Nations 2025: Five Players to Watch
With five days until the final draw of 35th edition of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) is held in Morocco, anticipation is building.
For many of Africa’s brightest football talents, this will be a golden opportunity to showcase their skills on one of the continent’s biggest stages.
Here’s a look at five players expected to shine during this prestigious tournament.
Ademola Lookman (Nigeria, Atalanta Bergamo)
Crowned African Player of the Year at the CAF Awards on December 16, 2024, in Marrakech, Ademola Lookman will undoubtedly be one of the most closely watched stars at the 2025 AFCON. The Atalanta Bergamo forward earned the accolade following a spectacular season where he guided his club to UEFA Europa League glory with a historic hat-trick in the final against Bayer Leverkusen.
Last season, Lookman scored an impressive 27 goals and provided 13 assists, form he has carried into the current campaign with 11 goals in 18 matches. At the previous AFCON, he contributed three goals to Nigeria’s remarkable run to the final, where they fell 2-1 to hosts Côte d’Ivoire. The Super Eagles will rely heavily on his offensive prowess in Morocco.
Carlos Baleba (Cameroon, Brighton)
At just 20 years old, Carlos Baleba has established himself as a midfield powerhouse for both Brighton and the Cameroon national team. Under the guidance of Belgian coach Marc Brys, Baleba played a pivotal role in Cameroon’s flawless qualification for AFCON 2025, finishing atop Group J with 14 points.
His performances in the English Premier League have also attracted interest from Europe’s top clubs. Set to make his AFCON debut, the former Elite Academy product from Cameroon is poised to make a significant impact on the tournament. His blend of talent and confidence could be key to the Indomitable Lions’ success.
Brahim Diaz (Morocco, Real Madrid)
Brahim Diaz is set to make his AFCON debut on home soil for Morocco after choosing to represent the country of his heritage over Spain. During the qualification phase, Diaz was outstanding, finishing as the top scorer with seven goals in six matches.
The 25-year-old attacking midfielder from Real Madrid will bolster the Atlas Lions as they aim to end a title drought that dates back to 1976. With the Moroccan crowd behind him, Diaz could be the driving force Morocco needs to clinch the trophy at home.
Simon Adingra (Côte d’Ivoire, Brighton)
Simon Adingra left an indelible mark on the last AFCON, where Côte d’Ivoire triumphed on home soil. Despite being sidelined during the group stage due to injury, Adingra’s two assists in the final helped secure a 2-1 victory over Nigeria, earning him the Man of the Match award.
At 22, Adingra continues to shine in the Premier League with Brighton, gaining invaluable experience that will benefit the Elephants in Morocco. With his creative flair and maturity, he is poised to play a pivotal role in Côte d’Ivoire’s title defence.
Ronwen Williams (South Africa, Mamelodi Sundowns)
Ronwen Williams’ heroics during the last AFCON in Côte d’Ivoire are still fresh in memory. His spectacular saves, both during matches and penalty shootouts, helped South Africa claim a commendable third-place finish.
The 32-year-old goalkeeper was named African Goalkeeper of the Year at the CAF Awards 2024 and was also recognized as the Best Interclub Player for his performances in the CAF Champions League with Mamelodi Sundowns. With his form still peaking, Williams is expected to deliver more show-stopping moments in Morocco.
