Superstars in showdown

The Africa Cup of Nations finals in Gabon get under way tomorrow and, although Bafana Bafana will not be there, there will still be much interest in how the top talent fares. We pick 10 players to watch:

RAMADAN SOBHI (EGYPT)

A forward with Stoke City in the English Premier League, Sobhi has been marked as a future superstar. He made his Egypt debut two years ago as a 17-year-old and is an exciting left wing with skills and pace.

Egypt return to the tournament for the first time since 2010 and are expected to be among the contenders come the knockout stages.

ADAMA TRAORE (MALI)

The Monaco forward is only 21 but already has a big reputation having been named the best player at the 2015 U20 World Cup in New Zealand, his four goals helping Mali to a bronze medal.

Mali are dark horses for the title and should they go all the way Traore will have played a major role.

ERIC BAILLY (IVORY COAST)

Ivory Coast have put the centre-back through some intensive rehabilitation to get him ready for the finals in Gabon, such is his importance to the side. With Yaya Toure and Didier Drogba having retired from international football, Bailley is next in line as the side's genuine superstar.

A £30-million move to Manchester United from Villarreal in Spain at the start of the season thrust him into the limelight.

EMMANUEL ADEBAYOR (TOGO)

Adebayor is the last of the Golden Generation of African strikers that included Drogba and Samuel Eto'o, but is in the final throes of his career. He has not played club football for over six months having been released by English Premier League side Crystal Palace at the end of last season.

RIYAD MAHREZ (ALGERIA)

Newly crowned African Footballer of the Year Mahrez has plenty to prove having seen his form dip alarmingly since helping Leicester City to a shock English Premier League win last year. The playmaker has undoubted quality but has been a virtual passenger for The Foxes this season.

SADIO MANE (SENEGAL)

Senegal have a host of talented individuals but chief among these is forward Mane, who has been a revelation for Liverpool this season. He has pace, skill and great vision, having been part of the national team for four years. He was named as one of the finalists for the 2016 African Footballer of the Year award.

KHAMA BILLIAT (ZIMBABWE)

Billiat has proven himself on the African club stage with Mamelodi Sundowns and was unlucky not to pick up the Africa-based Footballer of the Year prize this year. But this will be a different level and a chance to test himself against top defenders from Europe's big leagues. Can he catch the eye of the hundreds of watching European clubs?

PIERRE-EMERICK AUBAMEYANG (GABON)

Aubameyang is the undisputed kingpin of the Gabon side. But he carries even more weight on his shoulders this time as part of the home team, who will be expected to make the semifinals at least - and he will be the man tasked with getting them there.

Aubameyang was a French junior international before, almost reluctantly, throwing his lot in with Les Pantherers.

NICOLAS NKOULOU (CAMEROON)

Nkoulou has been one of Africa's best defenders for several years now, although outside of France he enjoys little of the profile that predecessors like Stephen Tataw, Emmanuel Kunde and Rigobert Song did. The 26-year-old from Yaounde is approaching 70 caps for his country and will likely skipper the side in Gabon, too.

It will be some task, with the Indomitable Lions having endured so many withdrawals prior to the tournament.

DENIS ONYANGO (UGANDA)

The reigning Africa-based Footballer of the Year has enjoyed much success over the past 12 months but has also faltered at vital moments. The Sundowns goalkeeper will have to be at his absolute best if Uganda are to make it into the knockout stages. It is also a chance for him to showcase his quality after disappointing in last month's Fifa Club World Cup.

- TMG Digital