The Africa Cup of Nations has acted because the springboard in a number of younger gamers' careers through the years - now it is time for the following technology to step up.
The final version noticed younger Empoli midfielder Ismael Bennacer emerge into the limelight by profitable Participant of the Event, which rapidly earned him a transfer to AC Milan and the dizzy heights of the San Siro six months later.
In 2000, Cameroon defender Lauren gained the identical prize which was then adopted up by a transfer to Arsenal, the place he grew to become one in all Arsene Wenger's Invicibles, whereas a younger Saint-Etienne striker by the identify of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang was prime scorer in 2012.
This winter will see an thrilling crop of younger gamers display their credentials of turning into the world's finest in Cameroon, so Sportsmail goes via the highest gems aged 23 and beneath to look out for...
Victor Osimhen - Nigeria
Place: Striker
Membership: Napoli
There was some doubt whether or not Nigeria striker Victor Osimhen would make this winter's AFCON as a result of harm, however a miraculous restoration from the ahead has boosted his nation's probabilities of profitable the match.
Osimhen was in effective type for Napoli, who topped the desk at first of the season, however a shoulder harm picked up in November was set to rule him out for 2 to a few months, successfully forcing him to skip the Nations Cup.
However the 23-year-old got here again early from that setback was named within the Tremendous Eagles' squad for this winter's competitors - and will properly type a devastating entrance line with Kelechi Iheanacho, Samuel Chukwueze and Emmanuel Dennis.
Osimhen was in distinctive type up entrance for Luciano Spalletti's Napoli, scoring 9 objectives in 14 matches for the Partenopei earlier than his harm - together with 4 objectives in three Europa League outings.
Quick, robust and possessing a devastating leap, Osimhen will likely be hoping to emulate the likes of Didier Drogba and Aubameyang by firing on all cylinders at AFCON.
Edmond Tapsoba - Burkina Faso
Place: Defender
Membership: Bayer Leverkusen
Burkina Faso could also be unknown to many having by no means performed on the World Cup - however they love the Africa Cup of Nations.
The nation hosted the 1998 World Cup and reached the semi-finals, earlier than going one step additional by taking part in within the 2013 closing - however misplaced 1-0 to Nigeria. The Burkinians have a tendency to provide some attention-grabbing expertise - and defender Edmond Tapsoba is one in all them.
At 6ft 4in, the centre-back is a dominant power within the backline and likewise possesses an excessive amount of tempo. Tapsoba can also be eager on a objective too - and sometimes takes penalties for each his membership Bayer Leverkusen and nation Burkina Faso.
The 22-year-old has been linked previously to Arsenal and Chelsea and is certainly tipped to be a star for the long run.
The defender has come a good distance after rising up within the famine interval in Burkina Faso - however this might be his probability to seal a big-money transfer in 2022.
Achraf Hakimi
Membership: Paris Saint-Germain
Achraf Hakimi could also be 23-years-old nevertheless it feels just like the right-back has been round for a lot of extra years than he has.
In simply 4 years, the Moroccan has gone from a Actual Madrid back-up participant to the most effective right-back Africa has to supply, in accordance with the Worldwide Federation of Soccer Historical past and Statistics who named him within the continent's staff of 2021.
Hakimi is now persevering with his recreation with the world's finest, having joined the likes of Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe and Neymar after his £60million transfer to PSG from Inter Milan over the summer season.
The defender is simply nearly as good going forwards as he's defensively, with three objectives and three assists in France's top-flight this season.
Able to taking part in within the backline or up entrance on both wing for his nation, Hakimi will likely be a key participant for his nation at this yr's AFCON, regardless of the place he performs.
The best-back may even shut in on 50 caps for Morocco ought to they go all the best way, an excellent motivation for Hakimi to guide his nation to glory.
Ilaix Moriba - Guinea
Place: Midfielder
Membership: RB Leipzig
Whereas Guinea's midfield will primarily be centered on Liverpool's Naby Keita, the Reds star might be partnered by and up-and-coming teenager in the course of the park.
Ilaix Moriba was tipped for nice issues at Barcelona however the Catalans' monetary woes meant the teenage midfielder was pushed out the door to RB Leipzig in a £13.5million switch.
The midfielder continues to be growing his recreation in Germany and has been restricted to simply half an hour of Bundesliga soccer for Leipzig, however did function in half of the membership's Champions League group video games this season.
Moriba caught the attention in Barcelona's La Masia academy and scored a hat-trick for the membership's Underneath-19s staff aged simply 15. He's uncapped at worldwide stage for Guinea, after pledging his allegiance to the nation of his delivery, despite the fact that he's eligible for Spain.
And may Moriba, who not too long ago examined optimistic for Covid forward of the match, make his debut at AFCON this month, then it might mark the beginning of one thing particular for the highly-rated teen.
Abde - Morocco
Place: Winger
Membership: Barcelona
This will likely be Abde Ezzalzouli's first Africa Cup of Nations, however the winger has loved a justifiable share of firsts in current months.
He grew to become the primary Moroccan participant to function for Barcelona when he made his first-team debut for the Catalans in October.
Underneath new boss Xavi, Abde has grow to be virtually a key participant on the wing because the Barcelona coach turns to youth in his first half-season on the Camp Nou.
The 20-year-old then discovered the web for the primary time at Barcelona within the membership's 2-2 draw at Osasuna, displaying he's greater than able to delivering on the most important stage.
Abde is a difficult and fast winger however his most important attribute is a want to get down the road and play a closing ball. Morocco will flip to Achraf Hakimi for expertise and management - however control this new child on the block.
Samuel Chukwueze - Nigeria
Place: Winger
Membership: Villarreal
For those who're unsure about whether or not Samuel Chukwueze will make it on the prime, simply ask Arsenal's defenders.
The Villarreal winger ran riot in opposition to the Gunners of their Europa League semi-final first-leg earlier this yr, serving to Unai Emery's Yellow Submarine to a 2-1 victory that took them via to the ultimate.
Chukwueze suffered a severe knee harm throughout the return leg in London however has returned in time for AFCON and is beginning to get again to his finest.
The 22-year-old winger can beat any defender within the recreation with some nice trickery in his locker - and a transfer to the Premier League seems inevitable for the Nigerian.
Arsenal tried to signal the winger earlier than he picked Villarreal, however the participant's administration staff thought it higher Chukwueze went to Spain.
Now he has one AFCON marketing campaign beneath his belt and 100 LaLiga appearances on the age of twenty-two, this boy is simply getting began.
Mohamed Camara - Mali
Place: Midfielder
Membership: Pink Bull Salzburg
Huge issues are anticipated from Mohamed Camara, who set the bar very excessive by taking part in an important position in RB Salzburg reaching the Champions League knockout phases for the primary time.
Central midfielder Camara dazzled audiences with glorious all-round midfield shows, displaying glorious defensive prowess via interceptions and tackles - but in addition providing rather a lot going ahead.
Alongside Brighton's Yves Bissouma, Camara might assist give Mali an actual base in midfield that will likely be troublesome to purge and choose off.
The 21-year-old has put a three-mont ban from soccer as a result of doping violations behind him and is now set to point out Africa what he can do.