10 Africa Cup of Nations youngsters to watch this summer
With the 2019 African Cup of Nations kicking off in Egypt on Friday night, we’ve identified ten youngsters (aged 23 and under) from ten different nations worth keeping an eye on at this summer’s tournament.
Henry Onyekuru (Nigeria)
While the likes of Ahmed Musa and Odion Ighalo may begin the tournament as Nigeria’s first choice forwards, both know that Onyekuru will be breathing down their necks. The 22-year-old ended the season in fine form on loan at Galatasaray from Everton, netting a team-high of 14 goals for the Super Lig champions, including the match-winner in a title shootout against Istanbul Basaksehir.
Amadou Diawara (Guinea)
Forming an impressive young central midfield trio with Olympiakos’ Many Camara and Liverpool’s Naby Keita, Diawara is the youngest of the three at 21 but very much the composed head in the middle ground. Having been in and out of the side at Napoli before a muscle injury curtailed his involvement in March, his fitness will be key given similar question marks over Keita’s participation having boasted the third best pass accuracy in Serie A last season (92.8 per cent).
Noussair Mazraoui (Morocco)
While Achraaf Hakimi may be the younger of the two, Mazraoui is newer to the scene at international level having only made his debut since the World Cup. In fact, last season was the right-back’s breakthrough into senior football and he made quite the impression, starting 26 league games for Ajax en route to the Eredivisie title and a further ten in the Champions League before crashing out at the semi-finals. Only Sergio Busquets and Allan made more tackles in last season’s tournament (37).
Krepin Diatta (Senegal)
The pre-tournament favourites with some given the presence of Kalidou Koulibaly and Sadio Mane in particular, Diatta will be an unknown to most but could have a role to play this summer. The versatile 20-year-old was picked up by Club Bruges in January of last year having had a direct hand in ten goals in 22 appearances as an 18-year-old with Sarpsborg in Norway, assisting seven and could play in either a midfield or front three.
Ismael Bennacer (Algeria)
Having caught the eye in Serie A with Empoli last season, the club’s relegation will mean many will be taking a look at Bennacer this summer including, perhaps, former employers Arsenal. In a side that boasts enviable attacking options the 21-year-old could be crucial in protecting the defence (2.9 tackles per 90 last season), but also transitioning into attack, boasting a superb 77.6 per cent dribble success rate.
Maxwel Cornet (Ivory Coast)
While the Ivory Coast are not short of attacking options Cornet will hope his end of season form ensures he is given a chance to impress this summer, whether that’s from wide or through the middle. The Lyon forward only started 12 of 27 Ligue 1 appearances last season but ended the season in sensational form with six goals and three assists in his last four starts, averaging a direct hand in a goal every 99.4 minutes over the league and Champions League combined.
Lebo Mothiba (South Africa)
Another forward in France whose playing time was limited, Mothiba scored ten goals all in all in Ligue 1 having made the move from Lille to Strasbourg early in the season. Said strikes came from just 21 starts and 27 shots, equating to an outstanding conversion rate of 27.7 per cent. The 23-year-old’s record since earning an international debut last March is equally impressive, marking four of his seven caps with a goal.
Gelson Dala (Angola)
Having made his debut for four years at the age of 18, Gelson has already amassed 22 caps for Angola and boasts a strike rate of a goal every other game. Group winners in qualifying Srdjan Vasiljevic’s side will be aiming to get the better of the likes of Tunisia and Mali in a competitive group so the Rio Ave star will have a big part to play. The 22-year-old generally played in a support role to the striker in Liga NOS last season, having a hand in eight goals in just over 1000 minutes of action, averaging 3 shots per 90 minutes.
Amadou Haidara (Mali)
Having starred for Salzburg in the Europa League in particular in the 18 months previous, RB Leipzig swooped for Haidara in January as they aimed to filled the midfield hole left by Naby Keita. The 21-year-old was eased into the first team in the second half of last season, starting four of nine Bundesliga appearances from March onwards and averaging 3.1 tackles, 2.9 shots and 2.4 dribbles per 90 minutes.
Mama Balde (Guinea-Bissau)
Capable of playing almost anywhere on the pitch other than centre-back, Balde was the star of the show on loan at Aves from Sporting in Portugal last season, scoring eight goals - twice as many as any teammate - to ensure the club’s safety. The 23-year-old operated predominantly from the right wing but his defensive contribution was also key to the Liga NOS strugglers and could be this summer despite only making his international debut earlier this month.
