The 2017 Africa Cup of Nations begins this weekend in Gabon, of course, without Nigeria’s Super Eagles.
The 16 teams have already converged, waiting for kickoff on Saturday.
All the countries have also announced their final squads for the competition, so we know who will be on parade from when the first whistle will be sounded.
With exception of Nigeria, all the major football countries on the continent are represented, but who are the players we should expect to light up stage? Who are the players that should be the cornerstone of their teams?
Fcnaija.com takes a look at 10 players who should be the stars of Africa’s premier international competition.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (Gabon – Borussia Dortmund, Germany)
Immediate past African footballer of the year, and arguably Africa’s best player still – not minding the 2016 Africa player of the year award which went Riyad Mahrez. He has scored 20 goals in 22 games for Borussia Dortmund, and also has 19 goals in 48 appearances for his country. There will be the added pressure of playing at home, as it was when Gabon co-hosted with Equatorial Guinea five years ago. But that notwithstanding, he is one player to watch out for at this year’s AFCON.
Vincent Aboubakar (Cameroon – Besiktas, Turkey)
Just like Nkoulou, his experience will come in handy for the Lions. One of the more experienced lads in the team, he hasn’t had a great start to the season with Besiktas, as he has only found the back of the net three times in 14 league games, but has seven in 22 in all competitions. His 14 goals in 47 games for Cameroon, however, means he is one they will count on for goals.
Bertrand Traore (Burkina Faso – Ajax Amsterdam, Holland)
Same also applies to this youngster, who is playing on loan at Ajax Amsterdam from Chelsea. He has so far netted five times in 19 games for the Dutch giants, and has three in 27 caps for his country. Still only 21, but he could be one of the stars of AFCON 2017.
Riyad Mahrez (Algeria – Leicester City, England)
Recently crowned African footballer of the year 2016, Mahrez is one of the star men for Algeria. Although he has had an underwhelming start to the season with Leicester, he will still be expected to carry the goods for the North African country.
Sadio Mane (Senegal – Liverpool, England)
Senegal's biggest name at the moment, he will be expected to lift the team from the front. Nine goals for Liverpool in 21 games this season shows the form the winger has been on so far. Add that to the seven assists he has made thus far and you have a better understanding of where we're going. He also has 10 goals in 33 games for his country and looks a potential player of the tournament material.
Eric Bailly (Cote D' Ivoire – Manchester United, England)
Signed by Manchester United in the summer and has proven himself thus far in the Premier League. There are also a host of other players to watch out for in this Ivorian side, but Bailly is surely the leader of their defense now, and looks like a player destined to make the team of the tournament.
André Ayew (Ghana – West Ham, England)
Arguably the biggest name in the Ghanaian team now, along with captain Asamoah Gyan. He has only just recovered from a lengthy injury and didn't play much for his club as a result before leaving for the AFCON. That notwithstanding, he is still a man you would exect to hug the headlines for all the right reasons in this tournament.
Cedric Bakambu (Congo DR – Villarreal, Spain)
If Congo make any meaningful impact at the AFCON, it would be largely down to this man. He has only played six times for the the Central Africans, but his exploits for his club means his talents are not to be ignored. He could be one f the success stories of the competition, especially if Congo DR progress.
Denis Onyango (Uganda – Mamelodi Sundown, South Africa)
Arguably the best goalkeeper in Africa at the moment, Onyango was part of the Sundowns side which won the CAF Champions League last year, and is Uganda’s key man as they make a return to the AFCON. The Cranes aren't expected to go far in the competition, but expect this lad to make loads of saves.
Mohamed Salah (Egypt - AS Roma, Italy)
The best Egyptian player by a stretch, he will expected to carry the Pharaohs. Still only 24, he already has 29 goals in 47 appearances for Egypt, and has nine in 21 this term for his club. If Egypt go far, expect Salah to be largely responsible.
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