Africa’s most anticipated cup competition, the African Cup of Nations (AFCON), will begin on January 13 in Ivory Coast. The continent’s brightest stars will compete at AFCON 2023, rewarding fans with four weeks of euphoria, drama and eye-catching football.
In anticipation of the prestigious Confederation of African Football (CAF) tournament, we have decided to shed light on some of the most sought after players who will take to the stage in Côte d’Ivoire. According to Transfermarkt data, here are the 10 most valuable players who will play at AFCON 2023:
#10 Nayef Aguerd (Morocco): 38 million euros (41.55 million dollars)
West Ham United player Nayef Aguerd will proudly represent Morocco at AFCON 2023. The 27-year-old, whose market value is €38 million ($41.55 million), is expected to pair up with Romain Saiss at the heart of the Moroccan defense.
The defender, who has made 34 caps, has been in impressive form for West Ham this season. He has featured in 21 games for the Hammers in all competitions, scoring two goals and providing one assist.
#9 Serhou Guirassy (Guinea): 40 million euros (43.74 million dollars)
Serhou Guirassy, arguably the breakout star of the 2023-24 season, is currently valued at €40 million ($43.74 million) by Transfermarkt. The Guinean attacker has been in brilliant form for VfB Stuttgart in the Bundesliga, scoring 17 goals in just 14 appearances. Syli National could emerge as a serious AFCON contender if the 27-year-old can carry his club form onto the international stage this month.
Guirassy has so far played 12 games for Guinea. The AFCON debutant has three goals.
#8 André Onana (Cameroon): 40 million euros (43.74 million dollars)
Manchester United star Andre Onana will be the most valuable goalkeeper at AFCON 2023, with Transfermarkt putting a price tag of €40 million ($43.74 million) on the Cameroonian. The 27-year-old has played 37 games for the Lions Indomptables, conceding 30 goals and keeping a clean sheet on 16 occasions.
Onana has not had the best of seasons with the Red Devils. He has made some costly mistakes in the past six months, drawing criticism. A redeeming performance at AFCON 2023 could do wonders for the goalkeeper’s confidence.
#7 Edmond Tapsoba (Burkina Faso): 40 million euros (43.74 million dollars)
In seventh place we have Burkina Faso’s trusted centre-back, Edmond Tapsoba. With a valuation of €40 million ($43.74 million), the 24-year-old is the most valuable center back on this list.
Tapsoba, who has scored one goal in 36 international matches, has been in exceptional form this season. Buoyed by their impressive performances in 14 Bundesliga matches, Bayer Leverkusen has managed to rise to the top of the German top flight standings.
#6 Victor Boniface (Nigeria): 40 million euros (43.74 million dollars)
Victor Boniface, Edmond Tapsoba’s teammate at Bayer Leverkusen, is the sixth name on this esteemed list. Like his teammate, Boniface’s market value also amounts to 40 million euros ($43.74 million).
The 23-year-old centre-forward, who has scored one goal in four appearances for Nigeria, has dazzled with both his finishing and his creativity this season. In 16 Bundesliga games, he scored 10 goals and provided seven assists. It will be interesting to see if he can carry his club form into the prestigious AFCON.
#5 Ousmane Diomande (Ivory Coast): 40 million euros ($43.74 million)
Ousmane Diomande, the only Ivory Coast international to make the cut, has an impressive market value of €40 million ($43.74 million). The 20-year-old, one of the most sought-after centre-backs in Europe, has made four international appearances so far.
Diomande, who plies his trade for Sporting CP, has been in brilliant form this season. Playing 21 games in all competitions, he scored two goals and provided one assist.
#4 Mohammed Kudus (Ghana): 45 million euros (49.21 million dollars)
West Ham United ace Mohamed Kudus has claimed fourth place on the list, due to his cool valuation of €45 million ($49.21 million). The Ghanaian attacking midfielder has made 26 international appearances in his career so far, scoring nine goals and providing three assists.
Kudus, who joined the Hammers from Ajax in August, has hit the money for the Premier League side. Playing 24 games across competitions, he scored nine goals and claimed one assist.
#3 Mohamed Salah (Egypt): 65 million euros (71.08 million dollars)
Easily the most recognizable player at AFCON 2023, Liverpool superstar Mohamed Salah has a market value of €65 million ($71.08 million). The 31-year-old right winger has appeared in 93 games for Egypt, scoring 53 goals and providing 31 assists.
Egypt’s all-time leading scorer, Salah has been arguably the best player in the Premier League this season. The Egyptian king has played 20 games for the Reds this season, scoring 14 goals and providing eight assists.
#2 Achraf Hakimi (Morocco): 65 million euros ($71.08 million)
Achraf Hakimi, model of Moroccan football, will be the most valuable defender of AFCON 2023. According to Transfermarkt, the Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) right back has a price tag of 65 million euros ($71.08 million). Hakimi, who performed magnificently as the Atlas Lions reached the semi-finals of the 2022 FIFA World Cup, has made 64 appearances for his country, registering eight goals and nine assists.
The 25-year-old full-back is in good form this season with the Parisians in Ligue 1. He has starred in 14 games in the French top flight, scoring three goals and providing four assists.
#1 Victor Osimhen (Nigeria): 110 million euros (120.29 million dollars)
With a staggering valuation of €110 million ($120.29 million), Nigerian sniper Victor Osimhen sits at the top of this star-studded list. The 25-year-old center forward has a stellar record for his country, with 20 goals and eight assists in 28 games so far.
Osimhen, who led Napoli to Serie A glory by scoring 26 league goals in 32 games last season, extended his purple patch until 2023-24. The former LOSC Lille striker has made 18 appearances for the Partenopei this season, scoring eight goals and registering three assists.
