Anticipation is building ahead of the opening game at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, with the Ivory Coast set to kick off the action as hosts in a Group A clash with Guinea-Bissau. Senegal are the bookmakers' favourites to defend their crown, but Egypt will be desperate to avenge their heart-breaking penalty shootout defeat in the 2022 final, while the likes of Morocco, Nigeria, Cameroon and Algeria will also be going all out for that precious gold trophy.
The Ivory Coast will no doubt be in the running, too, as they aim to make the most of their home advantage, while there will be a whole host of players eager to leave a lasting impression on a tournament that promises to deliver fireworks. Some are heading into the AFCON in the form of their lives at club level, while others have enjoyed breakthrough campaigns or rediscovered their passion for the game in new surroundings.
GOAL is here to run down the 10 players who you should be keeping the closest eye on as the tournament progresses, starting with a certain Liverpool man christened 'The Egyptian King'...