As the 2019 Africa U-23 Cup of Nations begins today, here is the list of some keys players to watch in the tournament.
Ramadan Sobhy (Egypt)
Date of Birth: 23.01.1997
Club: Al Ahly (Egypt)
Previous Clubs: Stoke City, Huddersfield Town (England)
Position: Winger
Shirt Number: 10
Sobhy was among Egypt squad in FIFA World Cup, Russia 2018. He also was among The Pharaohs side that finished Africa Cup of Nations Gabon 2017 as losing finalists. He played in the previous edition of U-23 Africa Cup of Nations, Senegal 2015, scoring once.
Aly Mallé (Mali)
Date of Birth: 03.04.1998
Club: Balikesirspor (Turkey)
Previous Clubs: Watford (England), Granada, Lorca (Spain), Udinese (Italy), Grasshopper (Switzerland)
Position: Winger
Shirt Number: 9
Malle won the bronze ball in the U-17 FIFA World Cup Chile 2015, scoring two goals and assisting as much as Mali finished the global tournament as runner ups.
Eric Ayuk (Cameroon)
Date of Birth: 17.02.1997
Club: Osmanlispor (Turkey)
Previous Clubs: Surin City, Phichit (Thailand), Philadelphia Union, Betlehem Steel (USA), Jonkopings Sodra (Sweden)
Position: Forward
Shirt Number: 11
Ayuk scored twice in the qualifiers. He is a regular starter with his Turkish side, and scored once in this season’s league.
Owusu Kwabena (Ghana)
Date of Birth: 18.06.1997
Club: Cordoba (Spain)
Previous Clubs: SC Accra (Ghana), Toledo, Leganes, Oviedo, Cartagena, Salamanca (Spain)
Position: Forward
Shirt Number: 7
Kwabena has three caps with Ghana senior team, and was a part of Ghana squad in the 2019 Total Africa Cup of Nations, also in Egypt. He scored 4 goals in the U-23 AFCON qualifiers.
Kelechi Nwakali (Nigeria)
Date of Birth: 05.06.1998
Club: Huesca (Spain)
Previous Clubs: Arsenal (England), Maastricht, Venlo (Netherlands), Porto (Portugal)
Position: Midfielder
Shirt Number: 10
Nwakali was Nigeria’s captain in the U-17 FIFA World Cup Chile 2015 where he guided them to their record fifth title, winning the Golden Ball in the process.
Christian Kouamé (Cote d’Ivoire)
Date of Birth: 06.12.1997
Club: Genoa (Italy)
Previous Clubs: Prato, Citadella (Italy)
Position: Forward
Shirt Number: 11
Kouame scored twice in the qualifiers. He has been in a brilliant form with Genoa, having scored five goals and assisted three in Serie A this season.
Luther Singh (South Africa)
Date of Birth: 05.08.1997
Club: Morirense (Portugal)
Previous Clubs: GAIS (Sweden), Braga, Chaves (Portugal)
Position: Forward
Shirt Number: 11
Singh won the Golden Boot as top scorer of the U-20 Africa Cup of Nations Zambia 2017. He scored two goals in five caps with senior Bafana Bafana side.
Patson Daka (Zambia)
Date of Birth: 09.10.1998
Club: Red Bull Salzburg (Austria)
Previous Clubs: Nchanga Rangers, Green Buffaloes, Power Dynamoes (Zambia), Liefering (Austria)
Position: Forward
Shirt Number: 20
Daka was voted best player when Zambia won the U-20 Africa Cup of Nations at home in 2017. He won CAF Youth Player of the Year award for the same year.
Source: CAFonline