The build up for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Ivory Coast,

As anticipation builds for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Ivory Coast,
 football enthusiasts are eager to witness the performances of some of the biggest names
 in world football. Among the stars set to grace the tournament is Victor Osimhen, the
prolific Nigerian striker known for his goal-scoring prowess. Osimhen’s athleticism,
agility, and goal-scoring ability make him a key player to watch as he leads Nigeria’s
 attacking force in the quest for AFCON glory.

In addition to Victor Osimhen, the tournament will showcase other football luminaries,
contributing to the global spectacle that AFCON promises to be. With the competition
spanning from January 13 to February 11, football enthusiasts can look forward to witnessing
 exceptional talent from stars representing various African nations. The array of skills and
styles on display will undoubtedly captivate audiences, making the tournament a celebration
of the continent’s footballing excellence.

The AFCON 2023 tournament serves as a platform for football fans to not only enjoy the
prowess of established stars like Osimhen but also discover emerging talents and witness the
competitive spirit of African nations. With a mix of experienced players and rising stars,
 the tournament is poised to deliver thrilling moments, intense matches, and ultimately
crown a deserving champion in the heart of Ivory Coast and AFP Sport picks out five to follow:

SERHOU GUIRASSY (Guinea)
Guinea are ranked only 15th in Africa, have made little impact on the latter
stages of recent AFCON tournaments, and face a fight just to get out of a group
 containing Senegal, Cameroon and Gambia. Yet they do boast a player who has
been a sensation in the German Bundesliga this season in Guirassy, the 27-year-old
 French-born striker.

The former France Under-20 international had averaged a very respectable
10 league goals a season over the last three years at Rennes and then VfB
Stuttgart but his form with the latter in this campaign has been remarkable.

Guirassy has 19 goals in 16 games in all competitions for his club, including
two hat-tricks, to help Stuttgart up to third in the table. Only Harry Kane of
 Bayern Munich has scored more Bundesliga goals. Now it remains to be seen if
 he can transfer his club form to the international stage, where his record so
far with Guinea is modest.

VICTOR OSIMHEN (Nigeria)
Osimhen leads Nigeria into the AFCON is a mouthwatering one for Super Eagles fans.
He heads to Ivory Coast fresh from being named the African player of the year for 2023
off the back of his brilliant form in Napoli’s run to the Serie A title.

He scored 26 goals for Napoli last season but has struggled in comparison
 in this campaign, netting only eight times. However, he has just signed a
new contract at his club and will be eager to make up for lost time at the
Cup of Nations.

Osimhen hardly featured as Nigeria finished third at the 2019 tournament
and sat out the last edition two years ago due to a combination of a facial
 injury and an untimely bout of Covid.

SADIO MANE (Senegal)
Mane was the hero as Senegal win’s the Cup of Nations for the first time in 2022.
Mane scoring the winning penalty in
the shoot-out against Egypt in Yaounde.

The two-time former African footballer of the year was the runner-up for the
 Ballon d’Or in 2022 but there might be concerns his career has gone backwards
to some extent since then.

Injury ruled him out of the World Cup in Qatar, and he then left Bayern Munich
 after just one season to join Al Nassr in the Saudi Pro League. Does that
mean that, now aged 31, he might have lost some of his edge since leaving
Europe? Senegal fans will hope not. He is still averaging almost a goal
every second game for his club, where he plays alongside Cristiano Ronaldo,
 and is key to his country’s chances of retaining their continental crown.



MOHAMED SALAH (Egypt)
The 31-year-old is a sporting icon across the Arab world and Liverpool forward is a superstar
 of the English Premier League. He is the joint top scorer
 in the Premier League this season with 14 goals, helping take Liverpool to
the top of the table. The danger for Jurgen Klopp’s team is that their title
challenge could be blown off course as they would lose Salah for four league
 games if he goes all the way at the AFCON with Egypt.

That though is the aim for Salah, who made his international debut in 2011,
a year after Egypt won the last of their record seven Cup of Nations crowns.
 He played in the teams that lost the AFCON finals in 2017, to Cameroon,
 and in 2022 to Senegal, and will be hoping this year to take the extra step.



ACHRAF HAKIMI (Morocco)
The Paris Saint-Germain right-back is the biggest star in a Morocco
team ranked number one in Africa and who come into the AFCON with big ambitions
after reaching the World Cup semi-finals just over a year ago.

The runner-up to Osimhen for the African footballer of the year award is
theoretically a defender, but he provides a huge attacking threat down the
flank and has been in outstanding form for his club this season.
If Hakimi stays fit and performs at his best, Morocco have every chance of
winning a first AFCON since 1976.