Who are the biggest players at AFCON 2025? Manchester United and Paris Saint-Germain stars set to shine

Africa’s biennial international competition is back this winter and a number of household names will be in action.

The African Cup of Nations runs for four weeks starting on December 21 and ending on January 18, with games hosted at nine stadiums in six host cities across Morocco.

The Ivory Coast will be looking to defend their AFCON title after beating Nigeria 2-1 in the final in 2023 to win the competition for the third time

Egypt have won a record seven AFCONs, with Cameroon being the next most successful team with five to their name.

The competition has seen a number of the world’s best footballers compete in it with ex-Barcelona and Cameroon ace Samuel Eto’o being AFCONs highest scorer with 18 goals.

Chelsea icon Didier Drogba starred for the Ivory Coast, while ex-Liverpool star Sadio Mane won the competition with Senegal in 2021 and beat current Reds forward Mohamed Salah, who will play in it with Egypt this year.

Salah isn’t the only well-known player who will be in Morocco looking for AFCON glory.

So, who are the biggest stars representing the 24 countries this winter? talkSPORT.com has got you covered.

Achraf Hakimi – Paris Saint-Germain and Morocco

After finishing as semi-finalists at the 2022 World Cup, Morocco reached the last-16 of AFCON 2023.

The Atlas Lions will now be looking to build on their recent rise when they host the competition, and Paris Saint-Germain’s Achraf Hakimi will be key to that.

As a dynamic right-back, he will be central to both Morocco’s defensive stability and their rapid transitions in attack.

There’s a reason he’s been named as one of the final three stars nominated for the 2025 African Player of the Year award alongside Salah and Victor Osimhen.

Morocco’s only AFCON title came in 1976 – and this is a glorious chance for them to add another one to their trophy cabinet on home turf.

Ademola Lookman – Atalanta and Nigeria

2024’s Africa Player of The Year will be one to watch at this winter’s tournament.

The former Charlton starlet turned Europa League winner is a key player for Nigeria.

After missing out on qualifying for the World Cup, Lookman and the Super Eagles will no doubt be itching to get revenge for their 2023 final defeat.

The former Premier League forward will also want to shake off his struggles with now ex-Atalanta manager Ivan Juric and channel his talents into winning silverware for his country.

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Victor Osimhen – Galatasaray and Nigeria

Another Nigerian star to look out for at AFCON is Osimhen.

Previously linked with Manchester United, Chelsea and Arsenal, the Super Eagles and his current club Galatasaray are sweating on his fitness after he was forced to come off against DR Congo in their Confederation of African Football play-off final for the 2026 World Cup.

If he is available for the tournament, though, fans will be sure to see plenty of goals from the ex-Napoli man.

He’s bagged nine goals in 12 games in all competitions for Galatasaray this season, including six in just three Champions League appearances.

Nigeria will be hoping he can fire them to a fourth AFCON title, their first since 2013.

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Bryan Mbeumo – Manchester United and Cameroon

Manchester United’s striker will not be appearing at next summer’s World Cup after Cameroon’s failure to qualify, but he will be a key part of AFCON.

His club teammates Amad Diallo and Noussair Mazraoui will also be at the tournament, representing the Ivory Coast and Morocco, respectively.

Mbeumo has played 27 games and scored seven goals for his country, netting one goal and appearing in three of Cameroon’s four 2023 AFCON qualifying matches.

Injury ruled him out of the final tournament, with Cameroon reaching the round of 16 in the end.

Now, the former Brentford ace has the opportunity to win his first piece of senior silverware.