Rulani Mokwena Names Super Eagles Forward Osimhen, Kudus, Others As Stars To Watch at AFCON

• The kick-off of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations is on the horizon
• A host of stars are set to herald the continent's footballing festival
• A South African coach has identified stars to watch at the AFCON

The 34th edition of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) is upon us, and a host of teams are gathered in Ivory Coast to compete for what remains the continent's most prized football trophy.

A constellation of Africa’s finest football stars are poised to grace the field, with standout figures such as Nigeria's Victor Osimhen, Egypt's Mohamed Salah, and Senegal's superstar Sadio Mane taking centre stage.

However, as the tournament approaches, a South African manager has singled out specific players expected to shine during the competition in Ivory Coast.

South African coach on AFCON stars

Mamelodi Sundowns coach Rulani Mokwena has identified Super Eagles of Nigeria forward Osimhen, Ghana's Mohammed Kudus and Morocco's Hakimi Achraf as the stars to watch at the AFCON.

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In a recent interview, as reported by media outlet Times Live, the 37-year-old stressed on key players he hopes to shine at the Mundial.

“Victor Osimhen is one player who is in great form and we have seen his abilities in front of goal. He leads the line confidently and scores lots of great goals, and in tournaments like this, you need goals."

He also praised Achraf Hakimi as an exceptional player capable of influencing games significantly and identified Mohammed Kudus as another game-changing talent poised to leave a mark on the tournament.

Coach Rulani's sentiments seem to resonate with many fans and stakeholders, as these highlighted stars have consistently displayed their exceptional qualities whenever they've been called upon in the past.

Osimhen played a crucial role in guiding Napoli to their first Italian Scudetto with 26 goals last season. Hakimi's contributions helped Paris Saint-Germain dominate the French Ligue 1, even during a coaching crisis under Christophe Galtier.

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Meanwhile, Kudus played a pivotal role in Ajax's push for the Eredivisie title, eventually securing a transfer to Premier League club West Ham.

Osimhen tipped for AFCON MVP

Sports Brief in a previous report highlighted Super Eagles forward Victor Osimhen has been tipped to win the Most Valuable Player (MVP) award at the AFCON.

The Nigerian superstar heralded the competition’s qualification series with 10 goals, five more than nearest challenger Patson Daka.

The Napoli forward will hope he can replicate his impressive form when the AFCON commence.