The African Cup of Nations has kickstarted a week ago with 24 teams engaged in a fierce competition to acquire a good standing by the end of the championship.
In addition to well-familiar names like Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane and Riyad Mahrez, the championship serves an opportunity for other, lesser-known players have the opportunity to have their time to shine and gain global recognition.
As the AFCON unfolds, we will present you a list of some standout talents that should be looked out for.
Emilio Nsue
Emilio Nsue is currently AFCON's top goalscorer. He is delivering a remarkable performance and netted a hat-trick to lead Equatorial Guinea to a 4-2 victory over Guinea-Bissau in Group A at the Africa Cup of Nations.
The captain, who previously guided Equatorial Guinea to the semi-finals of the tournament in 2015, marked his stellar contribution by securing the first hat-trick at the Africa Cup of Nations since Soufiane Alloudi's three-goal feat for Morocco against Namibia in 2008. Nsue's outstanding display not only secured a crucial win for his team but also etched his name into the tournament's recent history with a standout individual achievement.
Karim Konate
Red Bull Salzburg has gained recognition as a hotspot for nurturing young and talented players, particularly in the forward positions. Karim Konaté seems poised to be the latest emerging talent from this prolific development system, and the current tournament provides him with a platform to showcase his capabilities on a broader stage.
With speed, intelligence, and the potential to become an elite finisher, Konaté could be a significant asset for the Ivory Coast. While he may predominantly operate from the left, his track record demonstrates a consistent ability to make a decisive impact in the box across various levels of play.
Bilal El Khannouss
At just 18 years old, Bilal El Khannouss had under a year of senior football experience when he made his debut for Morocco during the third-place play-off at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. Despite an unfortunate misplaced pass leading to Mislav Orsić's decisive goal as Croatia secured a 2-1 victory, the teenager showcased promising skills with his smooth and delicate touches, displaying confidence while carrying the ball.
Nearly 13 months later, the young talent is likely anticipating a more significant role for Walid Regragui's team, having gained more starting opportunities with the Atlas Lions throughout 2023.
It has been recently reported that Manchester United and Liverpool are interested in signing Bilal from Genk.
