10 young players to watch in the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations PAMOJA 2027 qualifiers
The group stage qualifiers for the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations PAMOJA 2027 get under way on Thursday as the 48 countries begin the road to the finals.
The period after a FIFA World Cup is always one to refresh squads, and there are no shortage of exciting youngsters who have been drafted into teams for these qualifiers.
We pick 10 to watch out for when matchday 1 and 2 is played over the next couple of weeks, with some already established in their national teams and others looking to make their mark.
Abdellah Ouazane (Ajax, Morocco)
One of the most exciting products of Morocco's flourishing youth system, the 17-year-old attacking midfielder was named Player of the Tournament when the Atlas Cubs won the 2025 CAF U-17 Africa Cup of Nations. The Amsterdam-born playmaker combines close control with an ability to dictate the tempo of matches. His performances at Ajax have earned him a first senior call-up under Mohamed Ouahbi for the qualifiers against Gabon and Lesotho.
Ibrahim Mbaye (Aston Villa, Senegal)
Already a World Cup goalscorer, the 18-year-old winger netted against France at the 2026 finals and subsequently completed a September move from Paris Saint-Germain to Aston Villa. He became PSG's youngest Ligue 1 starter at just 16 and left Paris having collected eight trophies. With Sadio Mané missing from Patrick Vieira's first Senegal squad, the teenager has an opportunity to assume greater attacking responsibility.
Patrick Zabi (Paris FC, Côte d'Ivoire)
Nicknamed Zabi La Magie for his technical ability, the 19-year-old midfielder moved to Paris FC from Reims in the summer of 2026 after a rapid rise through French football. He turns 20 on September 24, the day Côte d'Ivoire open their qualifying campaign against Ghana. One of eight newcomers in Hervé Renard's first squad since returning as coach, Zabi will be hoping to establish himself in a changing Ivorian midfield.
George Ilenikhena (Al-Ittihad, Nigeria)
The 20-year-old striker has already scored winning goals against Barcelona for two different clubs in the UEFA Champions League, first with Royal Antwerp in 2023 and then Monaco in 2024. Having moved to Saudi Arabia in February 2026, the Lagos-born forward has now earned his first Super Eagles call-up. Victor Osimhen's injury absence could present Ilenikhena with an early chance to impress in the qualifiers against Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau.
Puso Dithejane (Chicago Fire, South Africa)
The 22-year-old winger has taken his career to Chicago Fire in Major League Soccer and was handed a Bafana Bafana call-up by new coach Pitso Mosimane. The former TS Galaxy attacker has impressed with his direct running, versatility across the attacking positions and goalscoring instincts, making him an intriguing option as South Africa begin their qualifying campaign against Guinea and Eritrea.
Christian Kofane (Bayer Leverkusen, Cameroon)
The 20-year-old striker has made swift progress since joining Leverkusen from Spanish second-tier side Albacete in 2025. The powerful centre-forward scored five Bundesliga goals and supplied four assists in his first season in Germany. He has begun the new campaign with two more league goals and is included in Cameroon's youthful squad for matches against Comoros and Congo.
Caleb Yirenkyi (Coventry City, Ghana)
A graduate of Ghana's Right to Dream Academy, the 20-year-old midfielder secured a club-record transfer from FC Nordsjælland to Coventry City in August 2026. He was named the Danish Superliga's Young Player of the Year for 2025/26 after demonstrating his versatility in central midfield and a three-man defence. Already part of Ghana's World Cup squad, he remains in Carlos Queiroz's plans as the Black Stars prepare to face Côte d'Ivoire and The Gambia.
Noah Sadiki (Sunderland, DR Congo)
The 21-year-old midfielder has established himself in the Premier League, making 33 league appearances for Sunderland last season and starting all five of their opening fixtures in 2026/27. His ball-winning ability, mobility and composure make him an important part of DR Congo's new generation. The former Union Saint-Gilloise player has joined Sébastien Desabre's squad for the qualifiers against Equatorial Guinea and Zimbabwe.
Ibrahim Maza (Bayer Leverkusen, Algeria)
Born in Berlin, the 20-year-old attacking midfielder represented Germany at youth level before choosing Algeria. A technically accomplished player who can carry the ball through tight spaces, Maza moved from Hertha Berlin to Bayer Leverkusen in 2025 and has started all four of their Bundesliga games this season. With Riyad Mahrez retired from international football, Maza is among the creative talents who can shape Algeria's next generation.
Ryan Ogam (RFC Liège, Kenya)
The 21-year-old striker became a national hero during the 2025 African Nations Championship, scoring the winning goals in Kenya's victories over Morocco and Zambia as the Harambee Stars reached the quarter-finals on their tournament debut. After scoring 15 goals in 17 Kenyan league appearances for Tusker, he moved to Austria and is now on loan in Belgium. With Kenya preparing to co-host AFCON 2027, the qualifiers provide an opportunity for Ogam to strengthen his claim to a starting place.