The CAF Africa Cup of Nations 2023 got here to an in depth on Sunday, with Ivory Coast celebrating their victory within the capital metropolis of Abidjan.
All through the one-month soccer extravaganza, a number of gifted younger gamers produced their greatest on the worldwide stage, laying strong foundations for his or her futures.
Wanting forward, the upcoming highlights on the soccer calendar embody the June qualifiers for the FIFA World Cup 2026 and the Males’s Olympic Soccer Event in Paris, scheduled for July and August, an excellent alternative for soccer betting followers questioning the place it’s legal to place bets on sporting events in Zambia for instance. With that in thoughts, we take a look at 5 of essentially the most promising abilities from the AFCON 2023.
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Oumar Diakite – Ivory Coast
Oumar Diakite’s beautiful backheeled winner in Ivory Coast’s AFCON quarter-final towards Mali was one of many match’s greatest moments. His celebration for the aim earned him a second reserving, which price him a spot within the semis, however he got here on as an alternative in the course of the finals towards Nigeria.
Because the crew prepares for the World Cup 26 qualifiers in June, Diakite’s kind will likely be essential. Final November, he performed a job within the crew’s sturdy begin, that includes of their 9-0 win over Seychelles and beginning within the 2-0 victory over Gambia after approaching for Simon Adingra.
Nene Dorgeles – Mali
Dorgeles made an influence on the AFCON with a surprising aim towards his nation of beginning Ivory Coast within the quarter-finals. Regardless of Mali’s elimination, the 21-year-old’s efficiency couldn’t go unnoticed. His focus now turns to Mali’s participation within the Paris 2024 Olympics.
Thapelo Maseko – South Africa
The South African winger made a right away influence, scoring simply 5 minutes after approaching as an alternative in a 4-0 victory towards Namibia on the AFCON. Nonetheless, his match was minimize brief by harm throughout their quarter-final win towards Cabo Verde.
Though Maseko missed the World Cup 26 qualifyiers final November, coach Hugo Broos is more likely to name on him for the following spherical of video games in June.
Bilal El Khannouss – Morocco
The Genk attacking midfielder was additionally a part of Morocco’s spectacular Qatar 2022 marketing campaign. At simply 18, he was the youngest member of the Atlas Lions squad and debuted within the play-off for third place, a 2-1 loss to Croatia.
Now 19, the Belgium-born midfielder began in Morocco’s first World Cup 26 qualifier – a 2-0 win over Tanzania – below coach Walid Regragui. He additionally made the Africa Cup of Nations squad in January 2024.
El Khannouss was additionally a part of the victorious U-23 Africa Cup of Nations crew, incomes a spot on the Paris Olympics. In 2024, he goals to signify his nation in World Cup qualifiers in June earlier than competing on the Olympics.
Lamine Camara – Senegal
Following his brace within the 3-0 victory over Gambia at AFCON 2023, Camara emerged because the match’s greatest younger participant, solidifying his position as a key participant for Senegal of their ongoing World Cup 26 qualification marketing campaign.
2023 proved to be a breakthrough yr for the attacking midfielder. He was named the perfect participant on the U-20 AFCON, African Younger Participant of the Yr, and gained the African Nations Championship 2022.
Senegal faces Congo DR and Mauritania in June’s World Cup qualifiers, with hopes pinned on Camara to keep up his stellar kind.