The most exciting unknown African players to watch in 2025 (Part 3)

Anis Hadj Moussa is continuing to thrive at Feyenoord Rotterdam, the club he joined last summer from Patro Eisden. The Algerian winger has made a strong impact, even making his mark in the UEFA Champions League, where he helped Feyenoord reach the Round of 16. His standout performance came against Manchester City, where he was named man of the match after a brilliant display. Despite the glamour of the Champions League, Hadj Moussa says that representing his national team gives him even more joy. The left-footed player takes immense pride in donning the Algeria jersey, especially the moment he steps onto the field to sing « Kassaman. »

Now, Hadj Moussa is focused on earning more playing time with Algeria. Under coach Vladimir Petkovic, he’s made just 37 minutes of playing time across three appearances, and he wasn’t called up for the November international break. However, all signs point to him being part of the squad for the March training camp, as his undeniable technical ability makes him a key asset for Les Verts.

At 23 years old, Hadj Moussa is one of the most exciting African talents to have emerged in 2024, and expectations are high for him in the coming year.

Liverpool have reportedly set their sights on the Feyenoord winger, who has caught the attention of the Reds after his impressive performances, particularly in the Champions League. His standout displays have made him a potential long-term successor to Mohamed Salah on Liverpool’s right flank.

With his dazzling dribbling skills, quick footwork, and ability to score crucial goals, Hadj Moussa has become a versatile threat. His pace and direct playing style would suit Liverpool’s high-pressing system perfectly, adding further strength to their attacking options.

Osame Sahraoui scored twice in his team’s 4-1 victory over Saint-Étienne, showcasing incredible skill and composure as he left defenders trailing behind. The 23-year-old Moroccan winger solidified his reputation as one of the most promising talents in Ligue 1. Reflecting on his standout performances, Sahraoui described the week as « unforgettable » following key wins and wonderful performances over Feyenoord and Saint-Étienne in an interview with DAZN.

Sahraoui has officially switched his international allegiance to Morocco. Initially called up by the Norwegian national team in August 2023, he made his debut with an assist in a friendly against Jordan on September 7. However, in October 2024, he made his Moroccan debut in a 4-0 win over the Central African Republic during the AFCON 2025 qualifiers. Sahraoui had previously represented Morocco at the U17 level before opting to play for Norway.

Ligue 1 fans have likely already taken notice of Sahraoui’s unique playing style. A sensational dribbler with exceptional ability in one-on-one duels, he rarely loses possession in these situations. It’s clear that he will continue to be a nightmare for defenders, both in France and beyond.

Felix Afena-Gyan is a rising star to watch in 2025, thanks to his impressive potential and versatility. At just 22 years old, he has already proven his adaptability across various attacking roles, making a significant impact for Juventus Next Gen in Serie C, where he scored five goals and provided three assists in 22 matches.

Afena-Gyan is known for his work ethic and determination, and he’s seen as one of the key players who could shape a new era for Ghana, especially given the country’s recent struggles in international competitions.

Having made his full international debut for Ghana under coach Otto Addo on March 25, 2022, at just 19, Afena-Gyan has earned 7 caps and scored one goal. His last international appearance came in a pre-World Cup 2022 friendly against Brazil, where Ghana lost 3-0 on September 23, 2022.

His standout performances this season, including a Serie C Player of the Week award, have brought him well-deserved recognition, positioning him as a promising talent for the future following his time with Roma and Cremonense. Will he have done enough to earn a call-up for the March training camp? With 6 World Cup qualifiers ahead, we’ll find out soon!

The 29-year-old forward Cherif Ndiaye has been in excellent form this season, with 18 goals and 5 assists across all competitions. This includes two goals in the Champions League group stage against tough opposition in Monaco and PSV Eindhoven. Ndiaye’s career has been something of a journeyman journey, with stints in Belgium, Croatia, Turkey, China, and Serbia, often playing for clubs outside the top tiers in those countries. Nevertheless, he has consistently found the back of the net wherever he’s played. His career tally stands at 99 goals in 255 appearances, giving him a solid strike rate of between one goal every two or three games.

He’s also proven himself capable at the highest level, scoring three goals and providing an assist in 13 Champions League appearances for Red Star Belgrade, showcasing his ability on Europe’s biggest stage.

While Ndiaye is no longer a rising star at 29, 2024 has been a breakthrough year for him. He made his international debut in June and has since made his mark in the Champions League with Serbia’s top club, Red Star Belgrade, where he has been playing since 2023. With a contract until June 2026, Ndiaye is now in the prime of his career and has his sights set on playing in his first Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). A move to a more competitive league could also be on the horizon, with Sunderland and Watford reportedly interested, marking yet another exciting chapter in his remarkable journey.

Togo striker Denkey made history by winning the prestigious Ebony Shoe, awarded to the best African player in Belgian football, following in the footsteps of legends like Daniel Amokachi, Victor Ikpeba, and Mido. His 27 league goals earned him the Golden Boot and helped fire Cercle Brugge into the UEFA Conference League. It was clear that a bigger club was likely to sign the former Nimes striker, and eyebrows were raised when Major League Soccer newcomers FC Cincinnati secured his signature for a record $16.2 million transfer fee—making him the most expensive signing in MLS history.

A late bloomer in his career, Denkey has the potential to become one of the MLS’s standout African forwards, following in the footsteps of players like Mamadou Diallo, Kei Kamara, and Obafemi Martins.

He wasted no time making an impact in the MLS, scoring the only goal of the match in his debut to lead FC Cincinnati to a 1-0 victory over the New York Red Bulls in their season opener.

On the international stage, Denkey made his debut for Togo at just 17 years and 9 months, playing in the AFCON 2019 qualification match on September 9, 2018, under coach Claude le Roy. Since then, he has scored 9 goals in 38 appearances for the national team. In the 2025 AFCON qualifiers, he netted 2 goals in 6 games. With the World Cup qualifiers resuming in March, Denkey, who has scored just once so far, will need to help lead Togo to new heights alongside coach Dare Nibombe, with the hope of emulating the illustrious career of Emmanuel Adebayor, who represented Togo in a World Cup and four AFCON tournaments.

Carlos Baleba’s journey to prominence began in 2022 when he joined French side Lille, where he quickly made a name for himself. His impressive performances earned him a move to Brighton & Hove Albion in August 2023. Brighton had been tracking the Cameroon prodigy since his time at Lille, drawn to his exceptional technical skills and physical presence.

At just 21 years old, Baleba has already made a significant impact, bringing both physicality and mobility to the midfield for both Brighton and Cameroon. His ability to drive forward and pose a goal threat—scoring three goals in 30 appearances across all competitions this season—further underscores his potential. While still refining his defensive positioning and occasionally lapsing in concentration, Baleba’s range of passing and ability to carry the ball up field have been standout traits.

Baleba’s performances at Brighton have been nothing short of stellar. In the 2024/25 season, he has been crucial to the club’s midfield stability. His all-around contributions have set him apart, with an impressive 2.3 tackles and 1.6 interceptions per game—both team-leading stats. Defensively, he ranks in the top 3 for blocks (2.10 per 90 minutes) and the top 7 for interceptions (1.67 per 90). His passing accuracy is also noteworthy, as he has completed the most accurate forward passes for any midfielder in the Premier League this season, with an 88.41% success rate.

More than just a defensive presence, Baleba is a midfield general, capable of dictating the tempo of a game. His key strengths—physical dominance, progressive dribbling, line-breaking passes, and superb game intelligence—allow him to control the flow of play and change the direction of matches.

Baleba made his Cameroon debut on June 8, 2024, under coach Marc Brys in a 4-1 victory over Cape Verde in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers. His 79-minute performance was a glimpse of his immense potential. Already mature for his age, Baleba has formed strong midfield partnerships, including with Zambo Anguissa, and his five caps so far mark the beginning of what promises to be a long and successful international career. While he missed the last two 2025 AFCON qualifiers, the upcoming AFCON 2025 and the 2026 World Cup in the US will provide global stages for him to further showcase his talent.

As Baleba continues to shine in the Premier League, his value is rapidly rising. With several top European clubs, including Liverpool, keeping a close eye on him, Brighton is in a strong position to drive up the asking price for the midfielder, especially with Baleba under contract until 2028. The young star’s future looks incredibly bright, both domestically and internationally.

Before establishing himself at Manchester United, a younger, more raw Amad Diallo honed his skills on loan at Sunderland, where the Stadium of Light proved to be the perfect environment for him to showcase his talent. During his 42 appearances, the 22-year-old winger scored 14 goals, helping his team contend for a playoff spot and regularly finding the back of the net.

Sunderland have since made attempts to bring the dynamic winger back, but Diallo’s career at Manchester United has taken off, with 16 goal contributions to his name this season before an ankle injury temporarily halted his momentum.

Under manager Ruben Amorim, Diallo has truly flourished, responding to the challenge by thriving in both wing-back and inside-forward roles. His industrious style of play, combined with his fearlessness in attacking the opposition’s goal, has made him a key player for the Red Devils. It’s no surprise that United have now tied him down to a contract until 2030.

There were initial concerns about where Diallo would fit into Amorim’s plans, with many expecting him to be used in an unfamiliar wing-back position that might not suit his strengths. Those doubts were quickly dispelled after a strong performance in Amorim’s first match, a 1-1 draw against Ipswich Town, where Diallo provided an assist for Marcus Rashford’s goal. Since then, he’s gone from strength to strength, scoring crucial goals, including a last-minute winner against Manchester City and an equalizer against Liverpool.

Once under-utilized and seemingly overlooked by Erik ten Hag, Diallo has become one of the first names on the team sheet under Amorim. His versatility has seen him carve out a role as one of the Red Devils’ two supporting forwards, enabling him to have a greater offensive impact.

Diallo made his international debut for Côte d’Ivoire on March 26, 2021, in a 3-0 victory over Niger during the 2021 AFCON qualifiers, where he had a brief five-minute cameo. After a couple of friendly appearances that same year, he was called up again in March 2023 for the 2023 AFCON qualifiers, where he played 74 minutes in a match against Comoros. Despite missing the October and November qualifiers, his rising status makes him a strong candidate for inclusion in the squad for the 2025 AFCON in Morocco.

At just 22 years old, Amad Diallo is on the verge of what could be the biggest year of his career.

Don’t forget to check out Part 1 and Part 2. Feel free to leave a comment if you think there are other players who should be featured.

Elume Raymond™ is on Twitter (X): @elumeraymond