Top Rated: Youngsters shine in first round of AFCON fixtures

With the first round of fixtures in the Africa Cup of Nations now complete, we take a look back at the star performers from game week one, with a number of youngsters making particularly strong starts. A former Chelsea graduate and Manchester City star rank among the five highest rated players this time around.

5. Krepin Diatta (Senegal) - 8.54

A player we highlighted as one of the youngster’s to watch at this summer’s tournament, Diatta made a superb start to his debut Africa Cup of Nations having been something of a surprise pick for one of the favourites in Senegal. Primarily a winger, the 20-year-old played in the heart of midfield with the license to attack and did just that. Diatta’s second half strike was one of three attempts in total in a 2-0 win over Tanzania, having also completed two dribbles and two interceptions.

4. Ola Aina (Nigeria) - 8.68

Any Chelsea fans watching Nigeria’s 1-0 victory over Burundi will be hoping that the club haven’t allowed Aina to leave too soon following a permanent switch to Torino ahead of the tournament. The 22-year-old full-back produced a moment of magic to spare the Super Eagles’ blushes with an impudent back heel to set up Odion Ighalo’s 77th minute match winner, having created two chances, made three tackles and three interceptions in total.

3. Riyad Mahrez (Algeria) - 8.80

The star of the show as Algeria earned a relatively comfortable 2-0 win over Kenya, Mahrez’s deflected strike just before half-time essentially wrapped up all three points for Djamel Belmadi’s side. The winger had four shots in total, completed four dribbles and also chipped in with three tackles.

2. Farouk Miya (Uganda) - 9.04

Another youngster to make a fantastic Africa Cup of Nations debut in the first round of fixtures, 21-year-old Miya is very much the poster boy of the Ugandan squad. At his tender age he has already been capped 55 times at senior international level and he pulled the strings in victory over DR Congo. Registering the assist for both of his side’s goals in a 2-0 victory, the attacking midfielder also had four shots, completed six dribbles and 100 per cent of his 25 passes.

1. Adama Traore (Mali) - 9.12

As if having two players in the same squad wasn’t confusing enough, Mali replaced one Adama Traore with another in the 4-1 win over Mauritania, with both ending the match on the scoresheet. It was the Monaco midfielder that started the match who stole the show, assisting his side’s opening goal before scoring himself just after the break. In 61 minutes on the pitch the 23-year-old - who spent last season on loan at Circle Brugge - had two shots, completed three dribbles, three tackles and created five chances.