The African Cup of Nations (AFCON) is the most prestigious football competition on the African continent that has been played every two years for the past fifty-six years. Given that it takes place at the peak of the majority of European football seasons has drawn a lot of interest from both football fans and experts through the years. The reason for that is that most iconic African players leave their European clubs to return home and defend the colors of their national teams. The competition has always been very popular, with a lot of interesting, intense games and big football names who have been showcasing their skills and talents for years. Throughout the past the competition has hosted some of the biggest names in African football such as Didier Drogba and Samuel Eto, who is to this day, the AFCON all-time top scorer.

As expected, some of the currently biggest names in football will also compete this year in an attempt to make history, whether it be by taking home individual awards or winning the title. In light of this, in this article we will discuss some of the key athletes, who will compete at AFCON 2023. We will also cover the influence of these players outside of football as well as the obstacles they overcame and experiences that inspired them to leave a lasting legacy to future generations.

As the AFCON approaches, football fans are thinking more and more about the potential outcomes of the championships and about placing their bets. Answers to the questions like “Who will win the championship?” or “Who will be the top scorer?”, are never simple, so it is recommended that you look at the benefits of choosing the right free bet site and at least be sure of the right decision on choosing a betting site. The players we have selected below are not only favorites among the fans but are also the top picks by bookmakers to win the title of AFCON 2023 Top Scorer.

Mohamed Salah “the prince of Egypt” is one of the most consistent inside attackers in world football, although many will say that according to his attributes, he is a typical winger. His speed and ability to counterattack helped him become one of the best in his position. This was also helped by his ability to be equally effective both inside the penalty area and in between the opponent’s defensive lines. He is also extremely skilled in creating opportunities for goals, which in his case are almost unmistakable.

The best African football player for 2022, who earned this award with excellent games in the Liverpool jersey, but also with the title of AFCON champion with the Senegal national team. There is no need to talk about his football abilities, and his recognizable ability to gain advantage and create opportunities with ease has been captivating the football audience for years. He usually plays as a left winger, from where opportunities are created for him to attack in the middle and shoot in the middle of the goal with his dominant right foot.

The Algerian, who plays for Al Ahli in Saudi Arabia, will surely be the first name of his national team. He is a right winger and has explosiveness, creativity, and incredible technical talent. He can play in several positions, and his main abilities are expressed in good balance, change of rhythm, flair, and dribbling.

The three athletes are similar not only in their intense passion and extreme talent for football but also in their kindness and desire to help others. All three come from different backgrounds and have gone through different life stories that shaped them into the people and athletes they are today. In his autobiographical film, Sadio Mane told how he was constantly confronted with life’s harsh realities. His father died in the early years of his childhood as there was no hospital in their village, and he had no money for football boots and training and had to work in the field to earn food. He says that he already knew at the age of seven that he wanted to become someone and dedicate himself to helping others. On the other hand, Salah and Maharez come from middle-class families and although they did not have particularly difficult childhoods, they were raised to always help the less fortunate.

Even off the field, these players have the status of heroes, and the audience adores them. Salahis especially known for helping to change the perception of top footballers and overcoming cultural boundaries. His charitable contributions to education, health, and animal rights projects have received great praise, but also show that regardless of success, Salah has never forgotten his roots.

He paid for the construction of the first clinic in his area, bought expensive medical equipment that helps hundreds of people every day, and also donated money monthly for the weak and poor in Egypt, and in his hometown, they gave him the nickname “creator of happiness”.

Sadio Mane is also one of the most loved players in the whole world, who is apart from being a top footballer, celebrated for his philanthropy. As a child, he dreamed of playing in the Champions League and earning enough so that his family would not have to do hard work to survive. Fulfilling his dreams, he not only achieved success for his family but also for many others. He earns huge amounts of money, which he does not spend on cars and villas, but builds schools, hospitals, and playgrounds, and buys food and clothes for those “who were not as fortunate as him”.

Finally, we can say that as AFCON 2023 approaches, African fans can look forward to once again having the opportunity to watch these and many other stars who contribute daily to African and world football, but also create better opportunities for the lives of young people across Africa. Their talent took them from the African continent and enabled them to become great athletes, but they never forgot where they came from and how much they owed to their birthplaces.

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