The Africa Cup of Nations is where established stars shine and new icons are born. As Morocco prepares to host the continent’s biggest stage, a clutch of teenagers and twenty-somethings arrive with swagger, speed and the kind of raw talent that can change careers overnight.
Here are 10 wonderkids who could turn AFCON 2025 into their personal launchpad.
1. Ibrahim Mbaye — Senegal / Paris Saint-Germain
At just 17, Mbaye already carries the kind of electric promise that makes defenders lose sleep. A Champions League starter for PSG and the youngest scorer in Senegal history, he blends blistering pace, mesmerising dribbles and a killer instinct when cutting inside.
Expect him to be a livewire off the bench or a surprise starter, the kind of player who can ignite a stadium with a single moment of genius.
2. Bilal El Khannouss — Morocco / Stuttgart
El Khannouss is the midfield conductor Morocco didn’t know it needed. Comfortable in tight spaces and deadly with key passes, the 21-year-old has been one of the Bundesliga’s most creative outlets this season. His vision and calm under pressure make him a perfect fit for a Morocco side bristling with ambition on home soil.
3. Eliesse Ben Seghir — Morocco / Bayer Leverkusen
Fearless and forward-thinking, Ben Seghir arrived in Germany with a reputation for acceleration and audacious passing. He may still be finding his feet at Leverkusen, but his bravery and instinctive attacking play mark him out as a future match-winner. When he clicks, he plays like a player who always looks for the decisive pass.
4. Yan Diomande — Ivory Coast / RB Leipzig
A revelation in the Bundesliga, Diomande is a dribble-first dynamo who terrorises full-backs down the left flank. With eye-catching numbers and Premier League suitors reportedly watching, the 19-year-old combines flair with end product and could be the Ivory Coast’s secret weapon in transition and counterattack.
5. Gaoussou Diakite — Mali / Lausanne
Part of the Red Bull development pipeline, Diakite brings unpredictability and a knack for spectacular goals. The 20-year-old has already turned heads in European competition and the Swiss league with his direct runs and technical audacity. If Mali need a moment of magic, Diakite is the player most likely to provide it.
6. Noah Sadiki — DR Congo / Sunderland
A tireless engine in midfield, Sadiki has adapted to the Premier League with remarkable speed. His relentless work-rate, defensive discipline and ability to cover ground make him a coach’s dream and a scout’s checklist item. At AFCON he can prove he’s not just a domestic revelation but a player ready for the biggest stages.
7. Tylon Smith — South Africa / Queens Park Rangers
Calm, composed and technically assured, Smith is the modern centre-back: elegant in possession and ruthless in the air. His U-20 Player of the Tournament award hinted at his ceiling, and now the senior stage awaits. South Africa may have found a long-term answer at the heart of their defence.
8. Lamine Camara — Senegal / AS Monaco
A box-to-box dynamo with a poet’s touch on set pieces, Camara is already a decorated youth international and the 2024 CAF Young Player of the Year. He reads the game, times his runs and can unlock defences with a single pass. Expect him to be the engine that keeps Senegal ticking in tight contests.
9. Ibrahim Maza — Algeria / Bayer Leverkusen
Born in Berlin and forged in the Bundesliga, Maza is a versatile forward who marries German efficiency with North African flair. A slick dribbler and adaptable attacker, he offers Algeria a fresh, unpredictable option in the final third. His development at Leverkusen makes him one to watch for both goals and clever link-up play.
10. Mohau Nkota — South Africa / Al-Ettifaq
A natural finisher with a growing legend behind him, Nkota has South Africa dreaming big. Praised by former greats and already delivering on the international stage, the 21-year-old’s move to Saudi Arabia won’t dull his hunger. If he stays fit and confident, Nkota could rewrite scoring charts and national records.
Final whistle
AFCON 2025 is a stage built for stories, and these ten youngsters arrive with the kind of talent that writes them. Some will dazzle for a night, others will use the tournament as a springboard to elite clubs and global fame. Either way, Morocco promises a showcase of tomorrow’s superstars — and these wonderkids are the names most likely to echo long after the final whistle.
