Last month marked the crowning of Victor Osimhen as the African Player of the Year, a title he earned after steering Napoli to a long-awaited Scudetto in a historic season. His exceptional performance included clinching the golden boot with 26 league goals, making him the first African recipient of this accolade in Serie A. At 25, he outshone seasoned players like Mo Salah and Riyad Mahrez, as well as his peer, 25-year-old Achraf Hakimi, to claim the award. This recognition signals the dawn of a new era in African football. Now, let’s shift the spotlight to emerging talents under 23-years who aspire to emulate Osimhen’s success and dominate the African football scene. **Victor Boniface (Nigeria & Bayer Leverkusen)** Since securing a €20.5m move to Germany, the Nigerian forward has been a standout in the Bundesliga. Emerging as the joint top-scorer in last season’s Europa League, he has maintained his impressive goal-scoring form this season, netting 16 goals in 23 games and providing 8 assists. His outstanding performances have earned him the Rookie of the Month award five consecutive times, making him the clear frontrunner for the Rookie of the Year accolade. Leading in goals and assists for Leverkusen, he has become an indispensable part of Xabi Alonso’s team. Leverkusen remains undefeated this season, topping the Bundesliga with a 4-point lead. With powerhouses like Bayern Munich, Dortmund, and RB Leipzig eliminated from the DFB Pokal Cup, Leverkusen is now the favored team in the tournament, and enthusiasts in the online sports betting community can find the best odds for a successful Leverkusen season on BetKing.
**Odilon Kossounou (Ivory Coast & Bayer Leverkusen)** While Victor Boniface may be garnering attention for Leverkusen’s remarkable season, it’s only fair to acknowledge the significant contribution of Ivory Coast’s Odilon Kossounou to their defense. He has featured in 15 out of Leverkusen’s 16 Bundesliga games this season, completing the full 90 minutes in 12 of them. Despite his consistent performances at the club level, Kossounou is yet to solidify his position as a starting player for the Elephants, having played 12 games for the national team. If Ivory Coast aims to be the first host since Egypt in 2006 to secure an AFCON victory, they might consider relying more on the skills of their talented center-back. **Pape Matar Sarr (Senegal & Tottenham Hotspur)** The recent lucrative contract extension with the white half of North London is a clear testament to the exceptional value that the young Senegalese player has brought to the team this season. At just 21 years old, Pape Matar Sarr has already experienced a career that many can only dream of, and there are no indications of him slowing down. Making his debut for the Senegal national team at the tender age of 19, he played a crucial role in their AFCON triumph and was subsequently honoured as CAF’s Male Young Player of the Year at the 2022 CAF Awards. He was also part of the team that went to the FIFA World Cup in Qatar and made a substitute appearance in the 3-0 defeat to England. Under Ange Postecoglou’s guidance, he is gradually solidifying his position within the team. This season, he has featured in 19 games across all competitions for Spurs, starting all but 4 matches, contributing two goals and two assists. As expected, he has earned a spot in Senegal’s AFCON squad and is expected to play a more significant role than in the last edition, and we provide the best value for money for this compared to other betting sites.
**Mohammed Kudus (Ghana & West Ham United)** Kudus is unquestionably one of the most thrilling young talents from the continent and has proven to be a stellar acquisition for the Hammers. Last season, his outstanding performance with Ajax, contributing 18 goals and 7 assists, earned him a €43m transfer to West Ham. Since then, he has promptly justified the investment with 9 goals and an assist for the Hammers, building on his impressive track record that included scoring 4 goals and providing assists for Ajax in early August. Currently, he is a key member of the Ghana team aiming to secure the AFCON title for the first time since 1982. While achieving this may be a tall order, the expectations are for them to have a respectable tournament.
**Azzedine Ounahi (Morocco & Marseille)** **“My God, where does this guy come from? I was pleasantly surprised by their number eight. I don’t remember his name, I’m sorry…”** Those were the words of Luis Enrique on Azzedine Ounahi after Morocco eliminated Spain from the 2022 FIFA World Cup. The tournament marked a breakthrough for the young midfielder, prompting Marseille to swiftly secure his services from Angers for €8m. Morocco is the leading contender to clinch the AFCON title, and Ounahi is poised to play a crucial role in the potential success. Serving as a consistent starter for the Atlas Lions over the past year, expectations are high for them to bring an end to their 48-year trophy drought, and we offer high odds for such an outcome.
**Bilal El Khannouss (Morocco & Genk)** Born in Belgium and progressing through Anderlecht’s youth system before making a move to Genk in 2019, Bilal El Khannouss initially represented Belgium up to the U18 level. However, he later opted to switch allegiance to Morocco, earning a spot in their World Cup 2022 squad. Known for his creativity and attacking prowess, El Khannouss is the type of player who excels in initiating and contributing to the team’s offensive play. Despite being just 19 years old, he has already made a significant impact, earning 7 caps for Morocco while becoming a regular presence for Genk with an impressive 32 appearances. His stats include scoring three goals and providing five assists, but his influence and importance transcend mere statistics. He has been named the best U-23 player in the Belgian League in 2022 and last year, he helped Morocco win the U-23 AFCON. **Abdul Fatawu Issahaku (Ghana & Leicester City)** Currently on loan from Sporting CP, the 19-year-old is a crucial member of the Leicester City squad aiming for a swift return to the English Premier League. As a versatile winger, he has played in all 22 Championship games for the Foxes, contributing with 2 goals and 7 assists. Although the young talent missed out on Ghana’s AFCON squad, his time with the national team will come. For now, the primary focus is on Leicester City’s promotion campaign, and our betting tip suggests they’ll win the Championship at the end of the season.
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