The Afcon gets underway in Morocco this weekend, with a host of the continent's top stars ready to battle it out for the right to be named the kings of Africa come the new year.
Much will be expected of Africa’s biggest stars heading into the tournament, with Mohamed Salah, Bryan Mbeumo, and Victor Osimhen all tipped to shine for their respective nations. However, this year’s Afcon will also see a number of the continent’s most exciting young talents strutting their stuff on the world stage - including a teenage sensation tipped to be the next Kylian Mbappe.
With the opening game between Morocco and the Comoros just hours away, we look at 11 players aged 21 who are tipped to make their mark at this year’s Afcon tournament.
Here are the 11 young players we are tipping to make a name for themselves at the Afcon 2025:
5. Yan Diomande - Ivory Coast
The 19-year-old wonderkid is one of the world's most promising talents, and combines blistering pace with exceptional dribbling skills. Has already scored six goals in 14 Bundesliga games for RB Leipzig this season, and will be key to any hope Ivory Coast have of retaining their AFCON crown, | AFP via Getty Images Photo: Getty Images
6. Noah Sadiki - DR Congo
One of two Sunderland stars named in this list, 21-year-old enforcer Sadiki, was signed for a figure of £17million in the summer, and has already been linked to Chelsea and Manchester United after a series of strong performances on Wearside. Only club teammate Granit Xhaka and England star Elliot Anderson have covered more distance than the Congolese international this season in England's top flight - a true energy bunny who is expected to drive DR Congo forward at AFCON. | Frank Reid Photo: Frank Reid
7. Eliesse Ben Seghir - Morocco
The Gassin-born wideman won a bronze medal at last year's Olympic Games after opting to switch his international allegiance to Morocco, and earned a €30million move to Bayer Leverkusen. A fearless talent that always looks to play on the front foot, the 20-year-old is one of the tournament's best young talents. | Getty Images
8. Bilal El Khannouss - Morocco
Linked to both Sunderland and Leeds United during the summer transfer window, the former Leicester City playmaker opted to make a loan move to Stuttgart instead, and it has paid dividends. The Belgian-born star has five goal contributions in 12 Bundesliga games and heads to the tournament in excellent form. | Getty Images