The 2017 Africa Cup of Nations begins on January 14 in Gabon. This will be the 31st edition of the 16-team tournament, with the Ivory Coast serving as the defending champions from the 2015 event.
The Ivory Coast are the early favorites to repeat, but the likes of Senegal, Algeria, Ghana and Egypt are also strong bets with talented squads. What makes the tournament so electrifying is its unpredictability — the 30 previous tournaments have seen 14 different nations crowned champions.
With all the matches available on either beIN Sports or Univision Deportes, the drama and intensity of this tournament makes for can’t-miss viewing. Here are 10 stars of the tournament that could lead their respective sides to glory.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang
Club: Borussia Dortmund
Position: Forward
Appearances: 52 | Goals: 21
Riyad Mahrez
Club: Leicester City
Position: Winger
Appearances: 27 | Goals: 6
Islam Slimani
Club: Leicester City
Position: Striker
Appearances: 47 | Goals: 23
Sadio Mane
Club: Liverpool
Position: Winger
Appearances: 38 | Goals: 10
Wilfried Zaha
Club: Crystal Palace
Position: Winger
*Appearances: 0 | Goals: 0
*Zaha switched his allegiance from England to the Ivory Coast ahead of the tournament.
Wilfried Bony
Club: Stoke City (on loan from Manchester City)
Position: Striker
Appearances: 44 | Goals: 13
Emmanuel Adebayor
Club: Free Agent
Position: Striker
Appearances: 66 | Goals: 31
Mohamed Elneny
Club: Arsenal
Position: Midfielder
Appearances: 40 | Goals: 3
Mohamed Salah
Club: AS Roma
Position: Forward
Appearances: 45 | Goals: 27
Andre Ayew
Club: West Ham United
Position: Winger
Appearances: 71 | Goals: 12