Top 10 Wonderkids in 2021 Africa Cup of Nations

Football is the hottest topic everywhere in the African continent since January 9th, when the 33rd edition of the African Cup of Nations started.  With Egypt going toe-to-toe with Cameroon for a place in this year’s Africa Cup of Nations, Sadio Mane’s Senegal will face Burkinafaso in the semi-finals of the tournament. There are very few tournaments that have experienced such torment as this edition of the African Cup of Nations, which has been moved twice, hosted by Cameroon between January and February 2022, even though its name is still 2021, and which until a few days ago risked being postponed again because of the pandemic.

However, it is a competition that represents a kind of the last bastion of the football of the past that resists the fury of the new calendars that overturn everything. In this year’s Africa Cup of Nations, some players burden a lot of expectations being among

2021 Africa Cup of Nations Top Players

, and some young players who find the stage to follow footsteps of their legends like

, Samuel Eto’o, and Mo Salah, some even contenders to be named in the Best XI of AFCON 2021.

Here, we take a look at the top 10 wonderkids in 2021 Africa Cup of Nations, how their performances helped their nation, and what future might behold them.

All You Need to Know About the Top 10 Wonderkids in 2021 Africa Cup of Nations

To get a better understanding of the upcoming African talents in the tournament, we take a look at the performances of the players aged under 21 in the 24 participating teams to create this list who at least have 3 appearances through the tournament, and we encounter some players who also can be a contender for the best XI of AFCON 2021.

10. Anis Slimane

• Age:

  20

• Nationality:

  Tunis

• League

  : Danish Superliga

• Club:

  Brøndby IF

• Position

  : Centre-midfielder

Playing as a midfielder for Danish Superliga club

the Tunisian midfielder had a good run in the tournament before being eliminated losing to Mali, and is the first entry to our list of the top 10 wonderkids in 2021 Africa Cup of Nations.

Born in Copenhagen, Slimane started playing for the lower levels of Vesterbro club BK Vestia at age 7, which was the club located most closely to his home. After a few months, he moved to the KB academy. Later, Slimane and his classmate signed with the FA 2000 academy, where they were joined by some other talented players. Because some clubs were hesitant to create first teams and second teams, Slimane moved to different clubs in Copenhagen, who were willing to commit to youth football at a higher level. During his time at B.93, Slimane played in a UEFA European Club Championship tournament, where he impressed and therefore signed with the Brøndby IF academy.

Slimane was twelve years old when he moved to Brøndby. He made his first-team debut for AB on 7 April 2018. Since then, Slimane made a total of 42 league appearances for AB in which he scored three goals and provided three more assists. In a total of 73 appearances, including Champions League and Europa League, he’s contributed 5 goals and 7 assists. On 3 July 2020, Slimane signed a new contract with Brøndby, keeping him at the club until 2024. After struggling to find his way to the starting lineup during the first half of the 2020–21 season, he scored the winning goal on 13 December against SønderjyskE

In this year’s

Africa Cup of Nations

, Slimane was essential to Tunis's promotion from the group stage, providing 1 assist in 5 appearances.

9. Francisco Madinga

• Age:

  21

• Nationality:

  Malawi

• League:

  Georgian Erovnuli Liga

• Club:

  Dila Gori

• Position:

  Attacking Midfield

Arriving from Malawian side Be Forward Wanderers, Madinga signed a two-year contract for Dila Gori in January 2020, and in a total of 38 appearances through these two seasons, he contributed 4 goals and 4 assists for the Georgians, being one of their finest players.

The former Be Forward Wanderers midfielder said he was still learning Georgian and Dila’s culture as such the break caused by Covid-19 has delayed his progress.

“I came here to play football but I am now idle. I just stay at home and language is also a barrier. I am unable to communicate with my colleagues. A month and some weeks have gone now. Had it been that I am playing football it could have been a different story,” Madinga said.

The skillful 21-year-old attacker is one of the two European-based players in the Malawi squad, playing for Georgian club Dila Gori. Madinga is arguably the most technically strong player in the squad. The No 10  is gifted with a great perception of time and space. Malawi used the pace of Frank Mhango and the guile of Francisco Madinga to create goalscoring chances through the tournament before losing to Guinea in the round of 16 of the tournament.

The only goal of the match was scored by Issiaga Sylla in the first half as the National Elephants began their Group B campaign with a win against Malawi, who were left to rue their missed chances. The Flames pressed the National Elephants from the first whistle and they created better chances in the opening 16 minutes of the encounter.

Guinea Goalkeeper Aly Keita made three good saves,  denying Micium Mhone, Francisco Madinga and Yamikani Chester.

8. Zakaria Aboukhlal

• Age:

  21

• Nationality

  : Morocco

• League:

  Eredivisie

• Club:

  AZ Alkmaar

• Position

  : Right Winger

AZ Alkmaar’s prodigy was expected to be among the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations top players participating in the tournament with a bright

, and despite coming in mostly as a substitute, Aboukhlal scored one of Morocco’s goals against Comoros as he helped them reach the knock-out stage.

Born on February 18, 2000, in Rotterdam (Netherlands), to a Libyan father and a Moroccan mother. He lived part of his childhood in Morocco. Aboukhlal made his professional debut for PSV in a 2–1 win over FC Eindhoven on 17 August 2018, and due to lack of game time, Aboukhlal transferred to Eredivisie rivals AZ Alkmaar in a deal worth €2 million in August 2019.

Since then, across 70 appearances the winger has scored 8 goals. The national coach, Vahid Halilhodzic, discovered this versatile striker three months ago and is not afraid to give him his confidence as he explains: "I'm quite happy to discover this player who plays on the right, on the left, in depth, who is quite strong and who is not afraid to go to the duel. He is a 20-year-old player who can evolve in the national team for 10 years.”

7. Saïdou Sow

• Age

  : 19

• Nationality

  : Guinea

• League:

  Ligue 1

• Club:

  Saint-Etienne

• Position:

  Centre-back

The solid centre-back who is one of the cornerstones of struggling French Ligue 1 club, Saint-Etienne, had a great tournament with Guinea helped them reach the knock-out stage of the Africa Cup of Nations. However, with the absence of their main player, Naby Keita, they eliminated in the Round of 16 as they were defeated 1-0 by the Gambia.

A product of Saint-Etienne academy, Sow made his professional debut for AS Saint-Étienne on 3 October 2020, in a Ligue 1 game against RC Lens, and since broke into the first team as he played 26 Ligue 1 matches for the club, scoring two goals and providing an assist.

Like Fofana and Saliba, Sow is the modern-day hybrid centre-back, offering myriad solutions for snuffing out opponents by combining speed, muscle, game sense, and skill in a potent mix to frustrate forwards. Comfortable with and without the ball, his 1.85m (6'1") frame means he also has the physique to go toe-to-toe with the most combative of forwards.

For the new campaign, Sow, who only turned 19 in July, has taken another step up, establishing himself as first-choice for Puel, a status he already holds for his country and performed well enough to be a contender for the

best XI of AFCON 2021

Ligue 1 gave a glowing review of the youngster in August, saying [Ligue 1]:

“Like Fofana and Saliba, Sow is the modern-day hybrid centre-back, offering myriad solutions for snuffing out opponents by combining speed, muscle, game sense, and skill in a potent mix to frustrate forwards.

“Comfortable with and without the ball, his 1.85m (6’1″) frame means he also has the physique to go toe-to-toe with the most combative of forwards.”

6. James Gomez

• Age

  : 20

• Nationality:

  Gambia

• League:

  Danish 1st Division

• Club:

  AC Horsens

• Position:

  Centre-Back

The Scorpions, playing in the biennial African football showpiece for the first time ever, have been one of the surprise packages of the ongoing tournament in Cameroon.

Against all odds, they qualified from Group F that paraded Mali, Tunisia, and Mauritania – finishing as runners-up with seven points. 

In their Round of 16 fixture against Guinea, they triumphed 1-0 with Musa Barrow’s second-half effort settling the fixture at the Kouekong Stadium.

While showering praises Tom Saintfiet’s men for their awe-inspiring displays so far, he feels Gomez has been the team’s most outstanding player, not minding the fact that Barrow and Ablie Jallow have contributed two goals each.

Former England youth international striker Cherno Samba has picked James Gomez as Gambia’s star performer at the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations. Samba said:

“For me, the person who has stood out the most is our centre-back and his name is James Gomez.”

However, Cameroon stopped

2-0 in a quarter-final match. The tournament's leading scorer Vincent Aboubakar and Nicolas Moumi Ngamaleu had their shots blocked for Cameroon, while Gambia's James Gomez also had his attempts stopped in the first half. But it was Karl Toko Ekambi who netted a brace early in the second half to make sure the Indomitable Lions roar into the semi-final stage.

Gambian footballer who plays for Danish 1st Division club AC Horsens as well. He recently established himself as a first-team player in the Danish club and made 38 appearances for the club.

James Gomez was heavily linked to the Eliteserien League, as Molde made a concrete offer for the 20-year-old player that was rejected by AC Horsens.

5. Ilaix Moriba

• Age:

  19

• Nationality:

  Guinea

• League:

  Bundesliga

• Club:

  RB Leipzig

• Position:

  Centre-midfielder

The Barcelona prodigy who made a controversial summer transfer to RB Leipzig was under a lot of expectations to perform as one of the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations top players after a weak start in RB Leipzig.

was heavily criticized by Barcelona over his exit, demanding a lucrative contract the club refused to give and failed to impress in Germany as well.

The youngster made his way through Barcelona’s first team last season, earning himself some minutes under the reign of Ronald Koeman. Many clubs entered negotiations with the Catalans as he entered the final year of his contract with the Blaugrana. However, the 18-year-old opted to join Leipzig over other pursuers. However, he managed to get a total game time of 90 minutes there, through five appearances he made as a substitute.

After swapping allegiances from Spain in November to Guinea he played three times for them at the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon, including his side's surprise 1-0 loss to The Gambia in the last 16.

• Age:

  21

• Nationality:

  Morocco

• League:

  Ligue 1

• Club:

  Angers

• Position

  : Centre-Midfielder

Next in our list of the top 10 wonderkids in 2021 Africa Cup of Nations is Morocco’s midfielder who helped them reach the quarter-finals of the AFCON before being eliminated to Egypt.

A former player of Mohammed VI Football Academy, Ounahi joined Strasbourg in 2018. In August 2020, he moved to Championnat National club Avranches before joining Ligue 1 club Angers on a four-year deal on 14 July 2021.

Ounahi was called up for Morocco U20 to participate in the 2018 Mediterranean Games. On 22 June 2018, he scored a goal at the 68th minute in a tie against

. He later went on to win the bronze medal with the team after a victory in the penalties-shootout against Greece.

On 23 December 2021, Vahid Halilhodžić invited Ounahi to be part of Morocco’s Africa Cup of Nations side. Ounahi made his professional debut for the Morocco national team in the 2021 African Cup of Nations in a 1-0 victory against Ghana on 10 January 2022, making a total of three appearances for Morocco.

In a total of 19 appearances for Angers this season, Ounahi has scored two goals and provided an assist, and was among their top players. Despite the disappointments, head coach Vahid Halilhodzic has given first-time opportunities to players like Azzedine Ounahi who now have the opportunity to take seize the chance.

“I have been waiting for this opportunity for several months, I worked hard for it and now is the chance for me to show what I am made of. Wearing the jersey of the national team is an honour and I don’t just want to stop at wearing it but doing greater things for the team,” Ounahi said.

3. Dango Ouattara

Something that immediately stands out when you watch Ilaix is how comfortable he is with the ball. Pulling off flicks to see a teammate through on goal, dribbling out of tight spaces, and executing a cheeky nutmeg to get past a player followed by a chipped ball over the defense.

The Spanish midfielder has always demonstrated his ability to get a ball at his feet. That supports his team in many ways, the most important of which is moving from deep spaces. Ilaix's physical form supports him in several ways, including this. He's going to get the ball in his own half a lot of times.

If there's space to drive in, Ilaix's going to take advantage of it. His physical form means that it takes much more than easy pushes to get him out of the ball. This is something that Barcelona B did not have in a player lately. Even very great in small spaces, the close control of Ilaix is very polished. He attaches a further layer to the ball-progress of the team.

He returned to Spain on loan with Valencia to achieve more game time this January. Valencia are 10th in La Liga, seven points off the top four, and the club will be hoping that Moriba's signing provides the push needed for them to climb back into contention for European football.

4. Azzedine Ounahi

• Age:

  19

• Nationality:

  Burkina Faso

• League:

  Ligue 1

• Club:

  Lorient

• Position:

  Winger

Third in our list of the

top 10 wonderkids in 2021 Africa Cup of Nations

is Burkina Faso’s record-breaker, Dango Outtara.

Burkina Faso advanced to the semi-finals of the Africa Cup of Nations as they defeated Tunisia 1-0 in an end-to-end encounter in Garoua. The Stallions took the lead with the last kick of the first half, courtesy of a fine individual effort from Dango Ouattara to grab his first international goal.

Blati Toure slid the ball through to the youngster with an expertly weighted through ball and Ouattara did the rest. After making a 20-yard run into the box, the attacker checked back before firing in a shot into the bottom corner. Dango Ouattara was sent off for an elbow on Ali Maaloul after the referee upgraded his initial yellow card for the forward to a red following a VAR check at the pitchside monitor. Dango Ouattara is the first player to score a goal and be sent off in the same Africa Cup of Nations game since John Mensah in 2012 with Ghana.

However, Ouattara was essential to Burkina Faso’s run to AFCON semi-finals, providing a goal and assist in total of three matches. A youth product of the Burkinabé club Majestic FC, Ouattara joined the reserves of FC Lorient in 2020. He signed his first professional contract with the club on 20 May 2021 and made his debut in a 1–1 Ligue 1 tie with Saint-Étienne 8 August 2021. He recently established himself as a regular for Lorient and made a total of 17 appearances made for the side. Ouattara made his professional debut with the Burkina Faso national team in a friendly 0–0 tie with Mauritania on 30 December 2021.

2. Jesús Owono

• Age:

  20

• Nationality:

  Equatorial Guinea

• League:

  Laliga

• Club:

  Deportivo Alaves

• Position:

  Goalkeeper

Next in our list of the

top 10 wonderkids in 2021 Africa Cup of Nations

is Alaves’ goalkeeper, Jesus Owono, who kept three clean sheets in a total of 4 AFCON appearances made, before a 3-1 defeat to Senegal in the round of 16 of the tournament. He denied Kei Kamara from 12 yards in their final group match against Sierra Leone to help seal a 1-0 win and kept out two spot-kicks in the 6-5 shoot-out win over Mali in the last 16.

The Eagles enjoyed the better of normal time in Limbe, but the game finished 0-0 after extra-time, and Owono’s save from defender Falaye Sacko clinched a 6-5 victory on penalties with Senegal awaiting his side in the quarter-finals. However, he conceded three goals in their quarter-final tie against Senegal.

Owono was born in Bata and moved to Basque Country, Spain during his childhood. He joined Antiguoko at age 8. Owono made his La Liga debut for

on 2 January 2022. He is the first Equatorial Guinea international footballer born in the country who appears in a Spanish top-league match. Owono, at the age of 17, received his first senior call-up by Equatorial Guinea in September 2018. He made his debut on 25 March 2019, playing the whole second half of a 2-3 friendly loss to Saudi Arabia. He currently serves as the second-choice goalkeeper at Alaves and has made only one official appearance for the club.

However, he was a hero for the giant-killers, Equatorial Guinea, and one who might challenge for the first-goalkeeper spot when he gets back to Spain.

1. Issa Kaboré

Age:

20

Nationality:

Burkina Faso

League:

Ligue 1

Club:

Troyes (on loan from Manchester City)

Position:

Right-back

Topping our list of the

top 10 wonderkids in 2021 Africa Cup of Nations

is Manchester City’s on-loan right-back, Issa Kabore. Kaboré signed a professional contract with Mechelen in 2019, and after a splendid run in the Belgian First Division, making 34 appearances providing 7 assists, Kaboré signed for English club Manchester City on 29 July 2020 on a €4.50m fee, remaining at Mechelen on loan for the forthcoming season, before again being sent on loan to Ligue 1 club, Troyes. Kabore has been a regular for sister club Troyes this season, starting their season opener against a PSG side featuring Kylian Mbappe and kicking on from there, playing at right-back and also further forward at right midfield.

Kabore helped Burkina Faso advance to the semi-finals of the Africa Cup of Nations as they defeated Tunisia 1-0 in an end-to-end encounter in Garoua. The Stallions took the lead with the last kick of the first half, courtesy of a fine individual effort from Dango Ouattara to grab his first international goal. The Troyes defender was the fixed part of the Burkina Faso squad as he played all of their 5 AFCON games so far, providing an assist.

He is showing the kind of progression that City looks for from their loanees, and a stage like this month's AFCON tournament is a perfect chance he took to put that all together in front of a global audience.

Even before his solid AFCON performances, Kabore was being tipped as a potential breakout star in the tournament. Making 17 appearances for Troyes, he was among the regulars and their top players. He will be back in action on Tuesday as Burkina Faso takes

’s Senegal.

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