AFCON Countdown – A Trio Of Key Men To Watch At AFCON 2025

Tuesday Dec 02, 2025. 14:00

The 2025 Africa Cup of Nations kicks off in December, and as anticipation builds across the continent, attention is turning to the players expected to leave their mark on the tournament. Here are three standout performers poised to play influential roles when the action begins in Morocco.

Emilio Nsue

Born: 30 September 1989 in Palma, Spain

Position: Wing-back, winger, forward

Senior club career: RCD Mallorca (Spain, 2006 – 2014); CD Castellon (Spain, 2008 – 2009, loan); Real Sociedad (Spain, 2009 – 2010, loan); Middlesbrough (England, 2014 – 2017); Birmingham City (England, 2017 – 2018); APOEL FC (Cyprus, 2018 – 2019 & 2020 – 2021); Apollon Limassol (Cyprus, 2019 – 2020); Tuzla City (Bosnia, 2022); Intercity (Spain, 2022 – present).

International debut: 24 March 2013, Equatorial Guinea 0-3 Cape Verde

Emilio Nsue remains central to Equatorial Guinea’s hopes at the 2025 AFCON. As captain, record scorer and recent Golden Boot winner, he provides leadership, goals, and experience. After clearance by FIFA to represent Equatorial Guinea (following earlier eligibility issues) he is once again available and likely to spearhead the attack. Under coach Juan Micha’s system, which emphasises defensive solidity and fast transitions, Nsue’s ability to exploit spaces and finish chances will be crucial. He will also be vital in mentoring younger forwards and pulling defenders, creating room for his teammates. Nsue may not cover much ground physically at 36, but his positional sense, finishing and leadership could be the difference between Equatorial Guinea making a deep run or falling short.

Cedric Bakambu

Born: 11 April 1991 in Vitry-sur-Seine, France

Position: Forward

Senior club career: FC Sochaux (France, 2010 – 2014); Bursaspor KD (Turkey, 2014 – 2015); Villarreal (Spain, 2015 – 2018); Beijing Guoan (China, 2018 – 2022); Olympique Marseille (France, 2022); Olympiakos (Greece, 2022 – 2023); Al-Nasr (UAE, 2023); Galatasaray (Turkey, 2023 – 2024); Real Betis (Spain, 2024 – present).

International debut: 6 September 2015, DRC 1-1 Cameroon

Cedric Bakambu is likely to be a key attacking focal point for DR Congo at AFCON 2025. Having regained form with Real Betis, his speed, finishing and movement will provide the Leopards with a reliable scoring threat. He may not play every minute – fitness and rotation will probably be managed carefully – but his experience will be crucial, especially in tight games: holding up play, drawing defenders, and creating space for teammates like Yoane Wissa and younger forwards. Beyond scoring, Bakambu’s leadership – on and off the pitch – will help steady the team under pressure and link the attacking line with the midfield.

Mohamed Salah

Born: 15 June 1992 in Nagrig, Egypt

Position: Forward, winger

Senior club career: Al-Mokawloon (Egypt, 2010 – 2012); FC Basel (Switzerland, 2012 – 2014); Chelsea (England, 2014 – 2016); Fiorentina (Italy, 2015, loan); Roma (Italy, 2015 – 2016 loan, 2016 – 2017); Liverpool (England, 2017 – present).

International debut: 3 September 2011, Sierra Leone 2-1 Egypt

Mohamed Salah will be absolutely vital for Egypt at AFCON 2025, not just as a goal-scorer but as the talismanic leader of a squad that has come so close yet never clinched the title in his era. His coach, Hossam Hassan, has said that this is the moment for Salah to lift the trophy, underlining the weight of expectations on him. On the field, Salah will be Egypt’s main attacking outlet – drawing defenders, opening space, delivering chances, and finishing key moments. He’ll also carry leadership responsibilities: guiding younger players like Omar Marmoush, handling pressure, and inspiring the team’s resilience in tight matches. For Salah, AFCON 2025 represents unfinished business: a chance to erase past heartbreak, validate his legacy, and finally bring home the biggest prize in African football.