The Africa Cup of Nations is always a star-studded event as many high-profile players slug it out at the biennial tournament while clubs hold their breath in the absence of their best players.
Meanwhile, fans get to watch some of the best players in the world on the continental stage where everything is at stake. Using Overlyzer’s data which provides top sports betting strategies, we compiled a list of the top ten European-based players at AFCON 2022.
The knockout rounds are underway and a host of world-class talents who ply their trade in Europe are currently taking part in the continental showpiece.
Kalidou Koulibaly
One of the best defenders in Europe will lead the hopes of Senegal who are among the tournament favourites. The Serie A star captains his country but was absent for their first two group games due to a Covid-19 infection.
Having returned to a yet unbreached defence, Koulibaly will hope to inspire the Teranga Lions to improved performances in the knockout rounds as they seek to improve on their second-place finish at AFCON 2019.
Achraf Hakimi
Arguably the best attacking full-back in world football is realizing his immense potential as he has risen to a key player for Morocco where he has 41 international caps by age 23.
Hakimi earned a big-money move from Inter Milan to PSG last summer and has hit the ground running with three goals and three assists from right-back. He has been ever-present for the Atlas Lions at AFCON 2022 where he scored a late equalizer from a wonderful freekick last time out against Gabon.
Karl Toko-Ekambi
The Lyon forward has been a mainstay in the Cameroon lineup and is now right behind strike-partner Vincent Aboubakar in the Golden Boot rankings. Toko-Ekambi has provided the poise in attack as the Indomitable Lions have so far scored the most goals at AFCON 2022.
The 29-year-old is one of their undisputed key players and will be confident of his chances of lifting a second continental title, this time on home soil.
Edouard Mendy
Amidst the litany of attacking talent understandably grabbing all the headlines at AFCON 2022, Mendy has proven a shining light for African goalkeepers as one of the best Premier League players.
Mendy is the current UEFA Goalkeeper of The Year and FIFA The Best Goalkeeper of 2021 and is hoping to push Senegal beyond their final hurdle of the 2019 competition. Having overcome a bout of Covid-19 in the first two games of the tournament, the 29-year-old will pit his wits in the knockout stages where the Chelsea man should be in peak form.
Yves Bissouma
The Brighton man has proven to be one of the best midfielders in the Premier League and is desperate to bring that pedigree into the business-end of AFCON for tournament Dark Horses Mali.
The 25-year-old is an energetic midfielder who will hope to power the Eagles to a memorable campaign and improve on their Round of 16 exit last time out at AFCON 2019.
Sadio Mane
Mane is one half of Liverpool’s African forward duo who is leading the charge for his country at AFCON 2022.
The 29-year-old spearheads a star-studded Senegal squad who are looking forward to bettering their silver medal finish at the last tournament and many eyes are on the superstar in Cameroon.
Mane already netted an important winner in their opening game against Zimbabwe and will look to improve on that total as the tournament unfolds.
Franck Kessie
AC Milan’s midfield dynamo is reproducing his heroics with Ivory Coast who have been impressive and are backed to go far at AFCON 2022.
The 25-year-old finished as the joint-top assist provider of AFCON 2019 with three assists; and is up to his ever-reliable levels with the opening goal in their incredible 3-1 win to knock out defending champions Algeria.
Despite missing a penalty in the previous draw against Sierra Leone, Kessie remains key to the cause and there is no doubt he will be instrumental to any success the Elephants achieve in Cameroon.
Sebastien Haller
The Ivorian marksman might be an outside candidate for the tournament’s top scorer award but his attacking showings will be crucial for Patrice Beaumelle’s side.
Despite being a late comer on the international scene having switched nationality in 2020, Haller can indeed claim to be the most inform player in the competition after scoring an incredible 10 goals in his first six Champions League games ever.
The UCL top goalscorer has brought some of that stardust to Cameroon where he has a goal and an assist each so far.
Mohamed Salah
The star of the show and arguably the best player in the world right now, Salah netted a spectacular volley against Guinea-Bissau and Egypt will hope his goalscoring qualities can spark a so far underwhelming campaign to life.
With 46 goals from 78 caps for the Pharaohs, the Premier League top scorer is the most prolific international goalscorer at AFCON 2022 and his compatriots will hope he can deliver a record-extending eighth title.
Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting
The Bayern Munich forward is another of Cameroon’s key forwards as they seek to win AFCON 2022 on home soil and there is no doubt his winning pedigree will be vital to the squad.
The 32-year-old veteran of 65 caps is one of the most recognizable Europe-based players and his attacking synergy upfront with Aboubakar and Toko-Ekambi could prove instrumental to a memorable outing for the 2017 champions.