Yan Diomande, 19, Ivory Coast

The Ivorian sensation of the moment, Yan Diomande, is currently excelling for his club, RB Leipzig, and is tipped to be one of the major attractions at the AFCON. Explosive and two-footed, the Abidjan native swiftly cemented his place in the Bundesliga outfit after a brief half-season spell at Leganes in Spain. He already boasts six goals in 14 league appearances. Equally adept on either flank, he possesses the tools to torment opposition defences, and his maturity belies his age, though his finishing still requires refinement. Despite his relative inexperience, particularly in a forward line where the 'Elephants' boast considerable depth, Diomande's burgeoning momentum is undeniable. This was underscored by his crucial goal in mid-October during the decisive 2026 World Cup qualifier against Kenya.

Noah Sadiki, 21, DR Congo

At 21, Congolese midfielder Noah Sadiki has rapidly emerged as one of the Leopards' brightest prospects, making a somewhat surprising switch to the national team just a year ago. Having previously represented Belgium at youth level, Sadiki opted to answer the call of his parents' homeland, a decision that has undoubtedly delighted French coach Sebastien Desabre. The Anderlecht academy product truly burst onto the scene, excelling for two seasons as a dynamic ball-winner with Brussels rivals Union Saint-Gilloise, where he clinched a Belgian league title in May. Sadiki, however, made the bold choice to forgo Champions League football, opting instead for a move to an English promoted side, Sunderland. There, under coach Regis Le Bris, he has been installed at the heart of the midfield. His tireless work rate for the national team was evident during the recent 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Nigeria and Cameroon. While the DR Congo awaits its fate regarding qualification for the North America tournament, Sadiki's immediate focus, and that of his nation, will undoubtedly be on the upcoming AFCON.

Carlos Baleba, 21, Cameroon

A product of the esteemed Brasseries du Cameroun academy, Carlos Baleba joined Lille in 2021. Initially deemed too raw for a regular starting berth at Lille, the Douala native opted to cross the Channel two years later, making a swift impact at Brighton & Hove Albion. This versatile midfielder's impressive profile has since garnered attention from European giants, including PSG, yet Baleba has, thus far, remained loyal to his English club. At just 21, he is already poised to become a key player for the national team. He is expected to swiftly establish himself as one of the primary playmakers within a rejuvenated squad following the departures of Vincent Aboubakar, Michael Ngadeu-Ngadjui, and Vincent Onana.

Ibrahim Mbaye, 17, and Lamine Camara, 21, Senegal

Still underage, Ibrahim Mbaye will arrive in Morocco holding the impressive status of a starting PSG player. A European champion, he has rapidly ascended through the U16 to U20 categories. Having previously represented France at youth level, he recently made his debut as a Senegal international. At PSG, the Trappes native is seeing increasing game time under Luis Enrique, symbolising the emergence of the 'titis' (academy graduates) amid a congested fixture list and injury concerns. He immediately impressed on the international stage, notably registering a goal and two assists in a friendly against Kenya.

In contrast, Lamine Camara has already experienced the AFCON stage, having scored two goals two years ago. In a midfield where established figures like Idrissa Gueye, Ismaila Sarr, and Pape Gueye can exhibit inconsistency, the Monaco player – who joined the club in 2024 – offers coach Pape Thiaw an invaluable asset with his innate ability to break lines. He will, however, need to temper his aggressive approach, as demonstrated by his forceful tackle on PSG goalkeeper Lucas Chevalier in Ligue 1, from which he miraculously escaped a red card.

L. Camara

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