AFCON 2025: Five nuggets to follow in Morocco

They are at most 23 years old. They are already part of the important players in their clubs. They could shine AFCON 2025 after great performances since the beginning of the new season in Europe and even the national teams.

Karl Etta Eyong

Aged 22, Karl Etta Eyong is in Olympic shape with the UD Levante. Having joined the club during the last summer transfer from Villarreal, the Cameroonian international striker is already giving satisfaction. He scored 6 goals and 3 assists in 16 games in all competitions combined. Statistics that have impressed several major European teams including FC Barcelona. 

With the Indomptables Lions, Karl Etta Eyong still has everything to prove. He only made his debut in the national team in October 2025. After 3 caps, the Levante striker did not score a single goal. Selected for this edition, the native of Douala has a huge chance to win in this sector after Vincent Aboubakar’s non-convocation. 

Cameroon is in group F with Côte d'Ivoire, Gabon, and Mozambique. The Indomitable Lions enter the competition against the Gabonese on December 24 at 20h GMT, at the Adrar stadium in Agadir. 

Yan Diomandé

He is in the shape of his life. He, it’s Yan Diomandé. The left winger is experiencing a meteoric rise. Last summer, the Ivorian gem joined RB Leipzig. A few months later, he is one of the leading players in the Bundesliga and caused a sensation with his debut with the Elephants. He scored 2 goals in 4 games with the national team. He made a victim on the left side of the attack: Simon Adingra, not retained for the competition.

After a hat-trick in RB Leipzig’s 6-0 win over Eintracht last Saturday, the 19-year-old played 15 games for 7 goals and 4 assists. 

Côte d'Ivoire shares pool F with Cameroon, Gabon and Mozambique. The Elephants play their first match against the Mozambicans on December 24, 2025, at 17:30 GMT, at the Marrakech stadium. 

El Hadji Malick Diouf

El Hadji Malick Diouf continues to gain momentum. This season, the left back and left piston made the great leap in his young career. He left Slavia Prague for West Ham United in the Premier League. Upon his arrival, the 20-year-old player has established himself in his position and becomes an indisputable incumbent. He played 16 matches in all competitions (15 starts) for 3 assists. He is a real insurance both on the defensive and on the offensive level. 

Senegal will be able to count on El Hadji Malick Diouf to maintain their defensive strength. The native of Ziguinchor is in very great shape before kickoff. 

Senegal plays in group D with DRC, Benin and Botswana. The Lions will play their first meeting against Botswana on Tuesday, December 23, 2025 at 3 PM GMT, at the Grand Stade de Tanger. 

Nathanaël Mbuku

Sébastien Desabre, the DRC coach, will no longer be able to do without Nathanaël Mbuku in midfield. The young player made himself indispensable, becoming a key element in the inter game. With his left paw, he is in recovery and also in recovery.

Loaned to Montpellier by FC Augsburg, the 23-year-old played 16 matches in all competitions for 2 goals and 2 assists. The DRC, 4th at AFCON 2023, wants to go as far as possible in Morocco. The Leopards will be able to count on several players in great shape, including Nathanaël Mbuku, young, lively, fast, versatile and with an outstanding game vision.

DRC fell in Pool D with Senegal, Benin and Botswana. The Leopards play from the start the Guépards du Bénin on December 23, 2025 at 12:30 GMT, at the Al Barid stadium, in Rabat.

Hamza Igamane

Hamza Igamane should indeed be part of the list of Morocco for AFCON 2025. Aged 23, the Moroccan international striker makes a thunderous debut under LOSC’s colours. He only signed with Lille last summer but is already one of the headline attackers of the squad. Powerful, fast and efficient in front of goals, the former member of the AS FAR is a real nightmare for opposing defenders. Having scored 9 goals and 2 assists in a total of 21 games, the Temara native already justifies the 11.5 million euros spent by Lille’s leaders to sign him from Glasgow Rangers. 

Hamza Igamane is in the ideal shape to help his country, Morocco, win its second star in the African Cup of Nations after 1976. The Atlas Lions have been running behind this trophy for 49 years. 

Host country, Morocco enters the fray against Comoros on December 21, 2025, at 19:00 GMT, at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat.