The AFCON 2025 is a tournament that has introduced us to the names of young African players. Already, some names have popped up in the conversations of young players to watch out for.
In this post, you’ll be reading a list of five players to watch out for at the AFCON 2025 tournament in Morocco. You will also see the clubs they play for and the potential that they are likely to show. You don’t want to miss reading this.
Five Players To Watch Out For At AFCON 2025
These are five young players to watch out for at the upcoming AFCON 2025 competition:
1. Amad Diallo
Amad Diallo will be 23 years of age when the AFCON 2025 starts in December. He currently plays for the Manchester United club in England. His club side, Manchester United, currently sits in sixth position in the Premier League table.
At his club side, Amad Diallo plays at the attacking midfielder position or the right wing position. So far, he has been instrumental in his club side’s success.
In league and cup competitions for Manchester United, Amad Diallor has garnered about 5 goals and 6 assists. This is an impressive number considering the fact that he mostly comes on as a substitute in many matches with his club side.
Also, as a winger, Amad Diallo has an impressive dribbling success rate of 60%. Along with that, he has won two Man of the Match Awards thanks to his ability to create and score goals when it matters.
No doubt, it can be concluded that Amad Diallo could be one of the most dangerous Ivory Coast attacking players at AFCON 2025. Ivory Coast already has experienced players at other positions, so Amad Diallo’s young energy could give them an extra burst of energy in the attacking third.
2. Tawanda Chirewa
Tawanda Chirewa was born on the 11th of October 2003. Tawanda Chirewa would be 22 years old by the start of the AFCON 2025 tournament. He currently plays for Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C. in the English Premier League. At the club side, Tawanda Chirewa currently plays as a midfielder and winger. He stands out due to his combination of technicality and physicality as a midfielder.
The EPL 2025/2026 season has shown that Tawanda Chirewa can have great numbers as a midfielder. So far, he has scored 3 goals and contributed to getting 7 assists for Wolves in all competitions. In terms of ball recoveries this season, Tawanda Chirewa also averages 4.5 ball recoveries per game in the EPL.
At the AFCON 2025 tournament, there is no debate that Tawanda Chirewa could become a useful asset in the Zimbabwean midfield when they line up.
Since the Zimbabwe team has no big-name striker, Tawanda Chirewa would be needed to press opponents and also contribute to goal creation for the team. So, his ability to combine this and lead the Zimbabwe team at the AFCON 2025 would be looked at.
If he comes out successful, he could even win the Best Young Player of the AFCON 2025 competition.
3. Hannibal Mejbri
Hannibal Mejbri was born on the 21st of January 2003 in Tunisia. This makes him 22 years old at the start of the AFCON 2025 competition.
He currently plays for the Burnley football club in England. Hannibal Mejbri also ranks high among young players to watch out for at the AFCON 2025 competition.
Hannibal Mejbri has been impressive for his club this season. As a midfielder, Hannibal Mejbri has scored 2 goals and made 4 assists for his team. His defensive work is also great as he has made 6 ball recoveries and has completed 82% of his forward passes this season. That’s not all. Hannibal Mejbri is also one of the few defensive midfielders who have won one Man of the Match award this season.
Going into the AFCON 2025 tournament, it is expected that Hannibal Mejbri replicates the fine form that he has shown for his club side.
Hannibal Mejbri’s physical style fits the African style, so it is almost certain that Hannibal Mejbri would perform well in this tournament. The world would be watching how Hannibal Mejbri is able to use his experience in midfield to win against countries that he would be facing.
4. Pape Matar Sarr
Pape Mater Sarr was born on the 14th of September 2002 and will be representing Senegal at the AFCON. Pepe Mater Sarr is 23 years old as of 2025. He currently plays the midfield position for Tottenham Hotspur club in the English Premier League.
This season, Sarr has scored 4 goals and made 5 assists from midfield. He averages a pass completion rate of 88% pass completion and makes 2.5 tackles per match. In matches when Tottenham Hotspur wins, he is usually among the first players to receive praise from pundits. In fact, according to fans of Tottenham Hotspur, he is among the most consistent players this season.
At the AFCON 2025, Pape Sarr could be one of Senegal’s most important players. With experienced attackers like Sadio Mané ahead of him, Papé Sarr will be needed to win the ball and quickly turn defense into attack for the Senegalese national team.
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5. Carlos Baleba
Carlos Baleba was born on 3rd of January 2004 and will represent the Cameroon national team at the AFCON 2025. He plays for Brighton & Hove Albion in the English Premier League and has been one of the standout players for the club side. Despite being so young, Carlos Baleba has earned his place at the club side over even more experienced players.
As a defensive midfielder, Carlos Baleba has been one of Brighton Hove Albion’s most impressive midfielders this season. He averages around 3.8 tackles per match, 2.3 interceptions, and 8 ball recoveries from the opposing teams.
For his goal creation ability, Carlos Baleba has accumulated 1 goal and 2 assists this season. Well, these are not bad stats considering that Carlos Baleba plays in a more defensive role.
Carlos Baleba could become what Cameroon has been looking for in midfield since the departure of the legendary squad. His ball-winning and ball-retention ability would be very important as Cameroon kicks off its AFCON campaign in December 2025.
Conclusion
The truth about the AFCON 2025 tournament is that it isn’t only about the established players. It is also about the young players who would be looking to build a name for themselves. Yes, the AFCON 2025 trophy belongs to teams that would be able to combine experience with youthful agility.