The 2019 Africa Cup of Nations gets underway on 21st June, running for just shy of a month, with the final being played on 19th July. Hosts Egypt are the 9/2 favourites in 888sport’s football odds to lift the trophy for an eighth time in 2019.
This year’s edition of Africa’s footballing showpiece was due to be held in Cameroon, who are the current title holders.
The decision was made in November 2018 to strip Cameroon of hosting the tournament, and in January 2019 Egypt were awarded the competition. This will be the fifth time Egypt have hosted the Africa Cup of Nations.
Some of the world’s best players will take part in the tournament. We have picked out five of the very best for this piece.
Mohamed Salah (Egypt)
Mohamed Salah comes into the AFCON on the highest of highs, having lifted the Champions League with Liverpool in Madrid earlier this month.
Despite not being quite as good as he was in 2017/18, Egypt’s superstar had a stellar 2018/19, cementing his place among the best goal scorers on the planet.
Playing half-fit last summer, Salah struggled in the World Cup as Egypt left the tournament with a whimper in the group stage.
They are 2/5 favourites in 888’s sports betting to progress out of their group this time round, which includes DR Congo, Uganda and Zimbabwe.
With 39 international goals to his name at just 27, Salah is on course to pass Didier Drogba and Samuel Eto’o’s international totals. He could take a big step towards that in this summer.
Wilfred Ndidi (Nigeria)
Leicester midfielder Wilfred Ndidi is a key part of Nigeria’s talented midfield, joining Arsenal’s Alex Iwobi, John Obi Mikel and Peter Etebo.
Nigeria arguably have the best midfield in the tournament and could boss matches from there, giving them a platform to unleash the electric pace of Ahmed Musa in the final third.
Ndidi is a special player and could attract the attention of Champions League clubs this summer.
Pairing plenty of tackles and interceptions with the ability to carry the ball past opponents in the middle third, he is a great player in transition who can catch the opposition off-guard and act as a springboard for attacks.
Nigeria are out at 15/2 to lift the trophy – they will need Ndidi to be at his dominant best if they are to go all the way.
Naby Keita (Guinea)
Liverpool’s Naby Keita didn’t have the best of first seasons in the Premier League and missed the final few weeks of the campaign with an injury that put his AFCON campaign in doubt.
He’s fit enough to take part, but it remains to be seen if he can perform near his top form. The former RB Leipzig midfielder is the undisputed star of this Guinea side, who are 9/4 to win Group B.
Progressing from the group, which includes Madagascar and Burundi, is possible even if Keita struggles, but getting any further will likely be a step too far.
Jurgen Klopp will be crossing his fingers as he watches Keita this summer, hoping his big-money acquisition from 12 months ago finds some form and, most importantly, avoids injury.
Klopp, in fact, is as invested in this tournament as any club manager in the world.
Sadio Mane (Senegal)
The third Liverpool player on this list, Sadio Mane comes into the Africa Cup of Nations in the form of his life.
Mane finished the club season playing as well as any forward in the Premier League, earning himself a share of the Golden Boot with teammate Salah and Arsenal striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
Senegal have talent and experience aplenty. Idrissa Gueye, Badou Ndiaye and Keita Balde are all fine international footballers, but none are quite at Mane’s level.
He is the key for Senegal as they pursue their first AFCON trophy. Mane is 19/4 to lift the trophy in mid-July.
Hakim Ziyech (Morocco)
Ajax’s Hakim Ziyech is one of many players looking for a move in the transfer window. As a crucial member of the thrilling Ajax side this season, Ziyech is expected to be on a different team come the start of 2019/20.
Tottenham, Liverpool, Arsenal and Manchester United have all been linked with the Moroccan attacking midfielder.
Ziyech was the joint-leader in assists in the Eredivisie, sharing the top spot with teammate Dusan Tadic. His 3.7 key passes, per 90 per WhoScored.com, was way ahead of any player in Europe’s top five leagues.
Sure, some of this is a result of Ajax’s dominance, but this also speaks volumes for Ziyech’s ability as a creator.
Morocco have lots of experience in their squad – 11 players have more caps than Ziyech – but no player more important than the 26-year-old midfielder.
*Odds subject to change - correct at time of writing*
