Gonjamedia.com brings you a Top 5 list of young players to watch during this competition:
1. Lamine Camara (Senegal)
Lamine Camara, a 20-year-old who has made 17 appearances, one goal, and two assists this season, is a key player for the French team Metz. Coach Aliou Cisse started to trust Camara after he scored for Senegal against South Sudan on November 18, 2023, during the World Cup 2026 qualifying round.
2. Wilfried Nathan Douala (Cameroon)
Wilfried Nathan Douala, who was born in Douala on May 15, 2006, surprised everyone by being included on Rigobert Song’s roster for the CAF TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations 2023. The 17-year-old, a midfielder for Victoria United in the first division in Cameroon, won over the coaching staff with his outstanding skill set and league performances.
3. Ernest Nuamah (Ghana)
Ernest Nuamah, a 20-year-old Olympique Lyonnais player, has made 14 appearances in Ligue 1 this season and is a key part of the team’s setup. Before being transferred to Lyon, Molenbeek paid €25 million to Nordsjaelland for the young winger, who has already scored a goal and assisted in the league. In June 2023, he was awarded his first cap for the Black Stars, and his explosive play is anticipated to enhance the squad’s already potent offensive lineup.
4. Karim Konaté (Côte d’Ivoire)
Karim Konaté’s move from ASEC Mimosas to RB Salzburg made headlines a year and a half ago (June 2022). Top clubs across the world expressed interest in the 19-year-old forward after he had an amazing season with the Ivorian club. Konaté, who was born on March 21, 2004, is still impressive and will be a highlight for the Ivorian supporters throughout this CAN that is being hosted at home.
5. Michael Amir Richardson Junior (Morocco – 21 years)
Amir Richardson, 21, who moved from Le Havre to Stade de Reims this season, has had an almost flawless start to the campaign. The 6’5″ midfielder’s excellent stats—three goals in 14 games—show how much of an impact he has on Reims’ performance. As a result of his performance, Walid Regragui included him in his 27-man team, making him one of the squad’s surprises.
