AFCON 2025: Watch out for these rising stars in Morocco
by Bradley Gibbs | by Bradley Gibbs
Which youngsters should we be looking out for?
The African Cup of Nations provides football fans around the globe with the opportunity to feast their eyes on some serious talent. We’re going to see some big-name stars in Morocco, with the likes of Achraf Hakimi, Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane, Brahim Diaz and Riyad Mahrez all set to feature, but it’s not just about the proven performers.
One of the beauties of AFCON is that we get to see lots of improving players, and this year will be no different. Watch out for these up-and-comers:
Bilal El Khannous - Morocco
Age: 21
Position: Offensive Midfielder
Current club: Stuttgart (Bundesliga)
Now in the Bundesliga, Bilal El Khannous, who showed glimpses of magic for relegated EPL team Leicester, will head to AFCON in hot form.
Over the last few months, the 21-year-old has quickly become a key creative player for Stuttgart (currently sixth in the German top division). He’s delivered three goals and three assists in 12 league appearances this season, averaging 0.57 goals and assists per 90 minutes.
The youngster, who is currently the fifth-best Bundesliga player for key passes, has also netted three times in the UEFA Europa League, so do not be surprised if he turns out to be a primary contributor for the tournament hosts.
Abde Ezzalzouli - Morocco
Age: 24
Position: Winger/Forward
Current club: Real Betis (LaLiga)
Perhaps a little too old to be considered a youngster, I couldn’t cover this topic without talking about Abde Ezzalzouli, who is absolutely a rising star.
A key player for Real Betis in the UEFA Europa League last season, scoring in the final, the 24-year-old has been doing the business in LaLiga this term, scoring three and assisting three in 11 appearances.
In AFCON qualifying, Ezzalzouli was a big player for the Moroccans, scoring and assisting five times in six appearances, and if the hosts are to thrive on home soil, the Betis man is likely to be a huge part of the success.
Tawanda Chirewa - Zimbabwe
Age: 22
Position: Forward/Winger
Current club: Wolves (Premier League)
More of a rough diamond and certainly less experienced than those above, Zimbabwe’s Tawanda Chirewa looks like a player for the future, and the next few weeks could be massive for the 22-year-old, who is currently under contract at Wolves in the English Premier League.
Yet to really break into the Wolves first team, Chirewa recently came on as a substitute against Aston Villa, showing flashes of ability, while he scored last time out for his nation, so he’s definitely one to keep an eye on.
Bazoumana Toure - Ivory Coast
Age: 19
Position: Midfielder/Winger
Current club: Hoffenheim (Bundesliga)
The only teenager to feature in this article, Bazoumana Toure has shown maturity beyond his years this season, assisting four times and scoring twice in 14 Bundesliga appearances. It’s also notable that he’s started 14 out of 14 for the team that currently sits fifth.
The 19-year-old impressed in the Swedish Allsvenskan back in 2024, and since his move to Germany, he hasn’t looked back, seemingly becoming a key player with ease.
Ranked in the Bundesliga top ten for both passes into the penalty area and crosses into the penalty area, Toure will now be hoping to create big chances for his nation.
Farès Chaïbi - Algeria
- Age: 23
- Position: Midfielder
- Current club: Frankfurt (Bundesliga)
Farès Chaïbi has been one of the most consistent goal providers in the German Bundesliga this season, so it won't be a shock to see him create chances for Algeria at AFCON.
The Frankfurt man has provided six assists in the Bundesliga this season, assisting also in the UEFA Champions League, while this is also a player who provided eight goals and assists in just seven games during the 2023/24 UEFA Conference League campaign. Surely he’s set to star in Morocco.
Tawanda Maswanhise - Zimbabwe
Age: 23
Position: Offensive midfielder/Winger
Current club: Motherwell (Scottish Premiership)
Another Zimbabwean to watch out for at the upcoming African Cup of Nations is Tawanda Maswanhise, who has without a doubt been one of the best performers in the Scottish Premiership this season.
Pacey, direct and capable of taking players on, Maswanhise has shown a clear eye for goal in recent months, scoring eight times in 17 SPL appearances this season. He looks set to be a main player for his nation.
