AFCON 2017: 5 Players to Watch
With AFCON kicking off this week, we've pulled out some of the key players to watch, which may provide some context for your predictions.
Riyad Mahrez, Algeria
Mahrez was the driving force behind Leicester City’s remarkable Premier League triumph last season, pulling the strings from midfield, teeing up Jamie Vardy to knock them in, and scoring a few himself. Algeria will be a threat to anyone if Mahrez can find the same form and confidence on the international stage, and this time it could be fellow Leicester player Islam Slimani converting the chances.
Tend Ndoro, Zimbabwe
Ndoro is the star striker for Orlando Pirates in the South African PSL, and currently leads the race for the league's Golden Boot having scored 11 goals from 13 league starts. Zimbabwe has a tough AFCON group, alongside Algeria, Senegal and Tunisia, but Ndoro could well see them qualify for the knockout stages.
Sadio Mane, Senegal
The Liverpool livewire has been integral to their success so far this season, with 9 goals and 6 assists to his name already. He’s the most expensive African footballer in history, after his £34m move from Southampton last year, and Senegal will be challenging for the trophy with Mane in the side.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Gabon
Look out for this speedster in the opening game of the tournament as the tournament hosts take on Guinea-Bissau. Gabon are not particularly fancied to lift the Cup, but Aubemayang is the favourite to be top goalscorer, which says a lot about his threat as a striker.
Wilfried Zaha, Ivory Coast
Zaha is part of a potent Ivory Coast squad that also boasts Wilfred Bony, Max Gradel, Eric Bailly and Lamine Kone from the Premier League. He has shown impressive attacking form for Crystal Palace despite a difficult season for the team, with four goals and eight assists so far. With a more dominant team around him, we could see Zaha flourish over the next few weeks for the Ivory Coast.
Make sure you join our AFCON Predictor game and set up your pools before the first fixture this weekend.
Riyad Mahrez, Algeria
Mahrez was the driving force behind Leicester City’s remarkable Premier League triumph last season, pulling the strings from midfield, teeing up Jamie Vardy to knock them in, and scoring a few himself. Algeria will be a threat to anyone if Mahrez can find the same form and confidence on the international stage, and this time it could be fellow Leicester player Islam Slimani converting the chances.
Tend Ndoro, Zimbabwe
Ndoro is the star striker for Orlando Pirates in the South African PSL, and currently leads the race for the league's Golden Boot having scored 11 goals from 13 league starts. Zimbabwe has a tough AFCON group, alongside Algeria, Senegal and Tunisia, but Ndoro could well see them qualify for the knockout stages.
Sadio Mane, Senegal
The Liverpool livewire has been integral to their success so far this season, with 9 goals and 6 assists to his name already. He’s the most expensive African footballer in history, after his £34m move from Southampton last year, and Senegal will be challenging for the trophy with Mane in the side.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Gabon
Look out for this speedster in the opening game of the tournament as the tournament hosts take on Guinea-Bissau. Gabon are not particularly fancied to lift the Cup, but Aubemayang is the favourite to be top goalscorer, which says a lot about his threat as a striker.
Wilfried Zaha, Ivory Coast
Zaha is part of a potent Ivory Coast squad that also boasts Wilfred Bony, Max Gradel, Eric Bailly and Lamine Kone from the Premier League. He has shown impressive attacking form for Crystal Palace despite a difficult season for the team, with four goals and eight assists so far. With a more dominant team around him, we could see Zaha flourish over the next few weeks for the Ivory Coast.
Make sure you join our AFCON Predictor game and set up your pools before the first fixture this weekend.
17 Jan 14:37