The Africa Cup of Nations 2025 (AFCON) was expected to be ruled by experience, legacy, and familiar names. Instead, in Morocco a quiet shift took place. Across teams and roles, a group of young players, many at their first AFCON, stepped in not as apprentices, but as solutions. Aged just 17 to 23, they didn’t wait for the future. They claimed the present. Ibrahim Mbaye, 17 (Senegal) Born in Trappes, France, Mbaye is a product of Paris Saint-Germain’s academy and has made 14 Ligue 1 appearances this season. He had already written his name into the club’s history last term by becoming PSG’s youngest-ever player to feature in the league, at just 16 years, six months, and 23 days. Now aged 17, Mbaye has forced his way into the starting lineup of the European champions and is already drawing comparisons with former PSG superstar Kylian Mbappé, who currently plays for Real Madrid. Despite limited minutes, Mbaye has been highly influential, completing nine successful take-ons and creating nine chances in just 450 Ligue 1 minutes so far this season. On the international stage, he became Senegal’s youngest-ever AFCON goalscorer at 17, finding the net in a 3-1 Round of 16 victory over Sudan as the Teranga Lions booked their place in the quarter-finals. He was also on target in Senegal’s 8-0 win over Kenya in an international friendly on November 18, 2025. Noah Sadiki, 21 (DR Congo) Sadiki established himself as a regular starter for Premier League side Sunderland, featuring in 16 matches and ranking among the league’s most active midfield ball-winners, noted for his high number of interceptions and defensive actions in the season leading into AFCON. Born in Brussels, Belgium, Sadiki played a key role in DR Congo’s midfield during the group stage. He started matches including the 1-1 draw against Senegal, where he helped shield the back line and recycle possession as his side held the Teranga Lions. He also completed the full 90 minutes in fixtures against Senegal and Benin, highlighting his endurance and the trust placed in him by head coach Sébastien Desabre. Christian Kofane, 19 (Cameroon) Kofane enjoyed an impressive club season prior to AFCON, scoring eight goals in 20 appearances for Albacete in the Spanish Segunda División before securing a move to Bayer Leverkusen in July. At the German club, he continued his development, gaining valuable experience in the Bundesliga and the UEFA Champions League, where he registered a combined four goals in 22 appearances. At international level, the Douala-born forward has made a significant impact on Cameroon’s AFCON 2025 campaign, scoring twice during the tournament. He opened his AFCON account against Mozambique in the group stage before netting a crucial header against South Africa, helping Cameroon secure qualification for the quarter-finals. Mamadou Sangaré, 21 (Mali) Sangaré has been named in Mali’s AFCON 2025 squad as a player for RC Lens, a strong Ligue 1 side—an indication that he has been getting regular top-flight minutes at club level heading into the tournament. Born on 26 June 2002 in Bamako, Mali, Sangaré may not have widely published individual match statistics for the national team, but his impact has been evident. Mali advanced from the group stage before defeating Tunisia on penalties to reach the quarter-finals, a run that demanded midfield control and strong ball retention from players such as Sangaré. His selection in a competitive midfield alongside experienced professionals like Amadou Haidara and Yves Bissouma, despite being just 21 years old, underlined the trust placed in him to contribute both defensively and offensively. Guela Doué, 23 (Côte d’Ivoire) RC Strasbourg right-back Guela Doué is the older brother of Paris Saint-Germain forward Désiré Doué. Although born in Angers, France, the 23-year-old opted to represent Côte d’Ivoire at international level, unlike his younger brother who plays for France’s national team, Les Bleus. Doué has enjoyed a solid season with Strasbourg, scoring one goal and registering four assists in 17 appearances across all competitions so far. At international level, he has featured prominently for Côte d’Ivoire, starting or playing in key group-stage matches, including the 1-1 draw against Cameroon, which proved crucial in securing valuable points. He was also part of the midfield and defensive balance that helped the Elephants recover against Gabon, finish top of their group, and advance to the next stage.
