The TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations is the most prestigious competition on the African continent. It is the meeting place for the best African talents in football.
Among the most anticipated players of the tournament, more and more are from the African championships.
CAFOnline selects five players from CAF interclub competitions who will be able to light up the competition with their talent from December 21, 2025 to January 18, 2026 in Morocco.
ISSOUFOU DAYO (RS BERKANE & BURKINA FASO)
In Morocco, at the end of this year, Issouffou Dayo will probably play his fourth TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations with Burkina Faso after Gabon 2017, Cameroon 2021 and Ivory Coast 2023. The defender of the Renaissance Sportive de Berkane is already a regular in this competition where he has distinguished himself each time. A bronze medallist in 2017 in Gabon, he also brought back fourth place from Cameroon in 2021.
A member of the Renaissance Sportive de Berkane since 2016, Dayo (33 years old) is one of the greatest architects of the laurels accumulated by the Moroccan club in recent years: 3 Throne Cups (2018, 2021, 2022), 2 CAF TotalEnergies Confederation Cups (2020 and 2022), 1 CAF Super Cup (2022). The defender of the Stallions, now captain of the Berkane club, has also been a finalist in the Confederation Cup twice (2019 and 2024).
This season, the Burkinabe and his club are still on a good run both in the local league and on the continental scene. Leader of the Botola with 49 points after 20 rounds (12 points ahead of AS FAR, its immediate pursuer), the Moroccan club also reigns supreme in the Confederation Cup with an almost flawless run in the group stage, in Pool B (16 points) out of 18). A performance to which Dayo, one of the club’s furniture, is no stranger, he who has 4 goals and two assists in this continental competition.
An undisputed starter in the centre of the defence of Burkina Faso, Dayo is one of the oldest members of this selection that has welcomed him since 2012. His statistics show 72 caps for 9 goals.
TEBOHO MOKOENA (MAMELODI SUNDOWNS & SOUTH AFRICA)
Last year in Cote d’Ivoire, Teboho Mokoena lit up the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations with his talent, contributing to South Africa’s brilliant run in the competition. His magnificent goal from a free kick at the very end of the match at the San Pedro Stadium, had crucified Morocco in the round of 16, further exposing his class to the world. It was his second goal in the competition after the one he scored in the 4-0 win over Namibia on the second day of the group stage.
One of the best assets of the Bafana Bafana selection, the 28-year-old defensive midfielder is expected to play in his second TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations at the end of the year in Morocco. He is having a remarkable season with Mamelodi Sundowns, leader of the South African league with 42 points in 16 rounds and qualified for the quarter-finals of the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League.
AMANALLAH MEMMICHE (ESPERANCE DE TUNIS & TUNISIA)
At 20 years old, Amanallah Memmiche is one of the greatest hopes of Tunisian football and is preparing to play in his first Africa Cup of Nations at the end of the year in Morocco.
An undisputed starter in goal for Esperance de Tunis, the goalkeeper is multiplying remarkable performances with his club, which he led to the final of the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League last season.
Currently leader of the Tunisian Ligue 1 championship with 42 points after 19 rounds, Esperance is also qualified for the quarter-finals of the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League after finishing top of Group D with 13 points in the group stage.
Before the AFCON, Memmiche will play in the FIFA Club World Cup with Esperance next summer in the United States.
DJIGUI DIARRA (YOUNG AFRICANS & MALI)
A member of the Young Africans in Tanzania since 2021, Malian Djigui Diarra is one of the best goalkeepers on the continent. His performances have largely contributed to making his club one of the references in Africa in recent seasons.
Finalists of the TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup in 2023, the Malian goalkeeper and his team were stopped last season in the quarter-finals of the Champions League before failing this year in the group stage. The former Stade Malien goalkeeper and the team he captains have also won the last three editions of the Tanzanian championship.
In Morocco, he will probably play in his fifth TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations after Gabon 2017, Egypt 2029, Cameroon 2021 and Ivory Coast 2023. An undisputed starter in goal for the Eagles, the 29-year-old, 65 caps, hopes to make history with the Eagles on Cherifian soil.
FISTON MAYELE (PYRAMIDS FC & DR CONGO)
Fiston Mayele is in great form with Pyramids FC this season. With his four goals, he contributed to the brilliant performances of the Egyptian club who brilliantly qualified for the quarter-finals of the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League after finishing co-leaders of Group D with 13 points, level with Esperance de Tunis.
His team also sits at the top of the Egyptian league standings with 30 points after 13 rounds, ahead of giants Al Ahly (29 points) and Zamalek (26 points).
One of the important elements of Sébastien Désarbre’s system, Fiston Kalala Mayele (30 years old) should play his second TotalEnergies CAF AFCON with the Democratic Republic of Congo after a first experience last year in Côte d’Ivoire where his team finished fourth.
