AFCON 2023: Which players're set to shine & have PL eyes on them in Ivory Coast?
Every game of AFCON 2023 is live on Sky Sports. Ahead of the tournament, Sky Sports News have picked out some of the most exciting prospects in the tournament.
Let's start with the hosts who have decided to leave Wilfried Zaha in Turkey for the tournament.
IVORY COAST
Karim Konate and Ousmane Diomande
RB Salzburg have a habit of producing future Premier League forwards, with Sadio Mane and Erling Haaland both making their way in Austria. And Salzburg might be hoping that 19-year-old Karim Konate has a quiet tournament so they can keep hold of him a little longer.
Hailing from the same team in Ivory Coast as Yaya and Kolo Toure, Konate's performances and eight goals in the Austria Bundesliga this season suggest he has the potential to succeed like the strikers before him at RB Salzburg.
Konate's lightning pace and willingness to take on players will have Premier League clubs and fans watching him closely. However, with Sebastian Haller likely to lead the line, we may see Konate making cameos from the bench. They will certainly be worth looking out for.
People remember tournaments for the great goals and top goalscorers, but any team looking to win the Africa Cup of Nations needs a steady defence. It looks like Ivory Coast will put their trust in 20-year-old Ousmane Diomande for that.
Links to Liverpool, Newcastle and Chelsea have come after an impressive 2023 at Sporting, his third club in the space of two years.
Diomande fits the bill of modern defender: strong, quick and comfortable on the ball. If he gets the nod ahead of experienced defender Wily Boly, don't be surprised to see those links to the Premier League get stronger and for a summer move to be on the cards.
GUINEA
Serhou Guirassy
Guirassy's 17 goals in the
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