Players to watch in Africa Cup of Nations

Manchester United fans will be paying close attention to Mali at AFCON. The Premier League powerhouse have been linked with a move for RB Leipzig's Amadou Haidara in a bid to correct their midfield issues. A commendable ball winner. As such, Mali are not to be underestimated at the competition.

Pape Sarr - Senegal

Many people from all over the world, especially Tottenham supporters, are keeping a keen eye on Pape Sarr when Senegal kick off their AFCON campaign on Monday. The 19-year-old who moved to spurs last summer was later loaned to Club Metz hasn’t really performed to his best in Ligue 1 for his 18th18th placed Club Metz. Pape will have to prove a lot to coach Aliou Cisse's packed Senegal midfield and is one player to watch out.

Mohamed Bayo - Guinea

Bayo has scored nine of their Clermont Foot clubs 20 league goals and has a better rating of (6.98) than any other player in the club. He is also the 11th best in Ligue 1 out of the 65 players to score 20 or more shots this season. He is one player to watch helping Guinea reach far in the tournament.

Sofiane Boufal - Morocco

Sofiane Boufal is enjoying a career resurgence in the French Ligue 1 having directly contributed to eight of his club's 26 goals scored so far this season and also scoring five times.

His rate of 3.5 successful dribbles makes him the sixth-best in Ligue 1 this season and his club’s loss is Morocco's gain.

Franck Kessie - Ivory Coast

Ivory Coast are one of the favorites to land international glory and with Franck Kessie operating in a midfield that features top-quality stars in the tournament, the Elephants will fancy their chances of winning AFCON. Kessie, who has been linked with a move to Tottenham, has been superb for AC Milan this season, scoring five goals this club and only Zlatan Ibrahimovic with seven goals has scored more. AC Milan will miss the 25-year-old, but Ivory Coast are hopeful his presence sees them crowned AFCON champions for just the third time.

Kamaldeen Sulemana - Ghana

He is an exciting winger and following in the footsteps of Ousmane Dembele, Ismaila Sarr, he has put up a good performance in Ligue 1.

He is better when it comes to dribbling than any other teenage player in France's top tier this season. We await to see how he will ensure the Black Stars make it big in the AFCON.

Karl Toko Ekambi, Cameroon

Toko has helped his club team Lyon to settle in the 13th position in the French League 1. The club wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for Karl Toko Ekambi because only Lucas Paqueta has scored more league goals [6] than Ekambi who has five goals this season. He has also scored six goals in the Europa league group stages and he is one man to watch lifting his country to glory in the AFCON.