Ryan Ogam among young stars to watch in AFCON 2027 qualifiers

Ryan Ogam is among a group of promising young players expected to attract attention as the race for places at the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations gets underway.

The 21-year-old Kenya striker features on a list of 10 youngsters identified by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) as players to watch during the opening rounds of the AFCON 2027 qualifiers.

The qualifiers began on Thursday, September 24,2026, with 48 nations embarking on their journey towards the tournament, which will be jointly hosted by Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania.

Ogam made a name for himself during the 2025 African Nations Championship (CHAN), where he scored decisive goals in Kenya’s victories over Morocco and Zambia.

His contribution helped the Harambee Stars reach the quarter-finals in their first appearance at the tournament.

The forward also enjoyed an impressive spell with Tusker in the Kenyan Premier League, scoring 15 goals in 17 appearances before moving abroad.

Ogam initially moved to Austria before securing a loan move to Belgian side RFC Liège, where he is continuing his development.

With Kenya preparing for a historic role as co-hosts of AFCON 2027, the upcoming qualifiers offer Ogam another platform to establish himself in the national team.

The striker will be looking to use the matches to convince head coach Benni McCarthy that he deserves a regular starting role in the Harambee Stars attack., even as Kenya hosts Eritrea at Nyayo National Stadim on Saturday, September 26, 2026.

Ogam is not the only emerging talent CAF expects to make an impact during the qualifiers.

Abdellah Ouazane – Morocco

Morocco’s 17-year-old attacking midfielder Abdellah Ouazane is another player attracting considerable attention.

The Ajax youngster was named Player of the Tournament after helping Morocco win the 2025 CAF U-17 Africa Cup of Nations.

Born in Amsterdam, Ouazane is known for his technical ability, close control and capacity to dictate play from midfield.

His progress at Ajax has earned him a senior national team call-up for Morocco’s matches against Gabon and Lesotho.

Ibrahim Mbaye – Senegal

Senegal will have 18-year-old Ibrahim Mbaye as one of their exciting young attacking options.

Mbaye already has a World Cup goal to his name after scoring against France during the 2026 tournament.

He subsequently joined Aston Villa from Paris Saint-Germain in September 2026.

The winger made history at PSG by becoming the club’s youngest Ligue 1 starter at the age of 16 and departed the French giants after winning eight trophies.

With Sadio Mané absent from Patrick Vieira’s latest squad, Mbaye could be handed greater responsibility in attack.

Patrick Zabi – Côte d’Ivoire

Patrick Zabi is another youngster hoping to make his mark with Côte d’Ivoire.

The 19-year-old midfielder, popularly known as Zabi La Magie because of his technical skills, joined Paris FC from Reims during the 2026 summer transfer window.

He turns 20 on September 24, the same day the Elephants begin their qualifying campaign against Ghana.

Zabi is one of eight new faces included in Hervé Renard’s first squad since returning as Côte d’Ivoire coach.

George Ilenikhena – Nigeria

Nigeria’s George Ilenikhena has already shown that he can perform on Europe’s biggest stage.

The 20-year-old striker has scored Champions League winners against Barcelona while playing for two different clubs.

He first found the net against the Spanish giants with Royal Antwerp in 2023 before repeating the feat with Monaco in 2024.

Ilenikhena moved to Saudi Arabian club Al-Ittihad in February 2026 and has now received his first call-up to the Super Eagles.

With Victor Osimhen unavailable because of injury, the youngster could get an opportunity to stake his claim during matches against Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau.

Puso Dithejane – South Africa

South Africa’s Puso Dithejane has also earned an opportunity to impress after receiving a call-up from new Bafana Bafana coach Pitso Mosimane.

The 22-year-old winger moved to Major League Soccer side Chicago Fire after previously playing for TS Galaxy.

His pace, ability to operate in different attacking positions and eye for goal make him one of the players to watch as South Africa face Guinea and Eritrea.

Christian Kofane – Cameroon

Cameroon striker Christian Kofane has enjoyed a rapid rise since moving to Bayer Leverkusen from Albacete in 2025.

The 20-year-old scored five Bundesliga goals and provided four assists during his first campaign in Germany.

He has already added two more league goals this season and will be part of Cameroon’s squad for matches against Comoros and Congo.

Caleb Yirenkyi – Ghana

Ghana’s Caleb Yirenkyi has also emerged as an exciting midfield prospect.

The 20-year-old came through the Right to Dream Academy before joining Coventry City from Danish club FC Nordsjælland in August 2026 in a club-record transfer.

His performances in Denmark earned him the 2025/26 Danish Superliga Young Player of the Year award.

Yirenkyi’s versatility allows him to operate in central midfield as well as a three-man defence.

Having been part of Ghana’s World Cup squad, he remains in Carlos Queiroz’s plans ahead of matches against Côte d’Ivoire and The Gambia.

Noah Sadiki – DR Congo

Noah Sadiki has already established himself at Premier League level with Sunderland.

The 21-year-old midfielder made 33 league appearances for the English club last season and started each of their first five matches of the 2026/27 campaign.

His energy, ability to win possession and composure in midfield have made him an important part of DR Congo’s emerging generation.

Sadiki is expected to feature as DR Congo face Equatorial Guinea and Zimbabwe in the qualifiers.

Ibrahim Maza – Algeria

Algeria’s Ibrahim Maza completes the list of young players to watch.

Born in Berlin, the 20-year-old attacking midfielder represented Germany at youth level before opting to play for Algeria.

Maza joined Bayer Leverkusen from Hertha Berlin in 2025 and has started all four of the club’s Bundesliga matches this season.

Comfortable carrying the ball through crowded areas, Maza is viewed as one of the young creative players who could play an important role in Algeria’s next generation following Riyad Mahrez’s international retirement.

The opening rounds of the AFCON 2027 qualifiers will therefore provide an opportunity for these youngsters to showcase their abilities on the continental stage, with Ogam among the players expected to carry Kenya’s hopes of a strong campaign.