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The Africa Cup of Nations, Africa’s premier international tournament, is back in action after a year's delay. The finest players the continent has to offer are showcasing their talent in this year’s edition hosted by Cameroon. As with all international tournaments, each one offers a new opportunity for fans to see the brightest young stars on display and get a glimpse into the future of world football. Today’s focus will be on the five highest valued, young attackers under the age of 23 participating in this year’s tournament.
Note: All player values are derived from Transfermarkt.com
#5 Moussa Djenepo
Country: Mali
Position: LW
Value: €10.6 Million
Club: Southampton FC (England)
Age: 23
Group F
Fans of Southampton in the English Premier League have been well acquainted with the reliable and courageous left winger from Mali, Moussa Djenepo. Having joined the club in the summer of 2019, he has made his mark, logging over 50 appearances across all competitions and a handful of goals.
These performances at club level have been replicated at the national level as well. The young winger has played 22 games, scoring three times. Don’t count out Djenepo from showing why he made the list of Africa’s brightest young attackers on show at this year’s tournament.
#4 Samuel Chukwueze
Country: Nigeria
Position: RW
Value: €19.3 Million
Club: Villarreal (Spain)
Age: 22
Group D
Samuel Chukwueze is next in line of Nigeria’s great attacking players. The 22-year-old right attacker, who has represented Nigeria numerous times at the youth level, has made 19 appearances for the senior side. He has tallied three goals for the Super Eagles and is not showing signs of slowing down.
The flashy right-sided winger has come on the radar of the senior national team since making his senior team debut for his La Liga club side Villarreal in 2018. He has kept up the pace, making 136 appearances for his club across all competitions. Looking to build on his success, keep an eye on Chukwueze to contribute to one of the countries most likely to lift this edition’s trophy.
#3 Kamaldeen Sulemana
Country: Ghana
Position: LW
Value: €19.3 Million
Club: Stade Rennais (France)
Age: 19
Group C
The youngest of the players featured, Kamaldeen Sulemana hails from one of Africa’s historically strongest national sides. Ghana advanced to the quarterfinals of the 2010 FIFA World Cup, the nation’s best ever finish. The West African country has been attempting to repeat that success and look to pin those hopes on leading a new generation of talent on young Sulemana’s shoulders.
Despite being at the ripe age of 19, the teenager has made seven appearances thus far for his country and doesn’t look to be slowing down. His four goals for his club Rennes in Ligue 1 this season is testament to that, and looks to carry that success into the bright lights of Africa’s premier show.
#2 Musa Barrow
Country: The Gambia
Position: LW
Value: €19.3 Million
Club: Bologna FC (Italy)
Age: 23
Group F
Musa Barrow has been playing his role in keeping the small African nation of The Gambia on the map of world football. Musa Barrow joined Italian side Bologna FC in January 2020 and worked his way into a key role.
His club performances caught the attention of his national side, and led him to have made 17 appearances with them, scoring twice so far in his young career. The Gambia may not be fancied by many experts to contend for the trophy at this year’s tournament. But if there is one player to prove the doubters wrong, count on Musa Barrow.
#1 Ismaila Sarr
Country: Senegal
Position: RW
Value: €26.1 Million
Club: Watford FC (England)
Age: 23
Group B
Ismaila Sarr, despite his young age of 23, already seems like a veteran. He has been capped 40 times for the Senegal national team, scoring nine times thus far. Sarr was a member of Senegal’s 23 man squad at the 2018 World Cup and has been a mainstay with the national side since.
The speedster joined Watford FC in the English Premier League in the summer of 2019, making 82 appearances and scoring 24 goals. These stat lines confirm why Sarr is ranked as the highest rated attacker for young players in this year’s tournament. If Senegal are to win this year’s title, Sarr will be counted on to live up to his value and deliver the goods.
