Salah, Hakimi and Kudus among the African stars to watch in November

African nations return to action from 12 to 17 November for the third and fourth rounds of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, with several high-profile players set to take centre stage.

Mohamed Salah will be one of Egypt’s main attractions against Malawi. The Pharaohs captain has been included in new head coach Ali Maher’s squad and will be joined by Omar Marmoush. Morocco’s Achraf Hakimi is another key player to watch, with the Paris Saint-Germain full-back expected to feature against Niger.

Youssef En-Nesyri is back in the Morocco squad, as the Atlas Lions look to maintain their perfect record in Group A.

Ghana will welcome the return of Mohammed Kudus, who has missed several internationals because of injury. Jordan Ayew is also back, and both players will be expected to help revive the Black Stars’ campaign after defeats in their opening two matches.

For Nigeria, Ademola Lookman will have added responsibility in attack because of Victor Osimhen’s absence. The Atalanta forward has been named in Eric Chelle’s squad for the two matches against Tanzania.

Cameroon will look to Bryan Mbeumo to provide a cutting edge against Namibia, despite the absence of Carlos Baleba in midfield. Cote d’Ivoire also have a player attracting growing attention in Yan Diomande, who will have the chance to strengthen his reputation with the Elephants against Gambia.

Experience and new faces

Senegal will be able to call on an in-form Nicolas Jackson, who has scored four goals and provided one assist in his past five club starts for Aston Villa. The forward will be one of the players to watch when Senegal face Sudan.

Burkina Faso’s squad includes the return of Issoufou Dayo, one of the notable developments in Amir Abdou’s selection. The 35-year-old Wydad AC centre-back announced his international retirement after the last Africa Cup of Nations, but has now returned to the Stallions for their two matches against Mauritania.

Dayo’s experience could prove important in a defence that also includes Edmond Tapsoba and Nasser Djiga.

Algeria have called up a new face in Abderrahmane Rebbach. The Deportivo Alaves winger has earned his first senior international selection after impressing in La Liga and could make his debut for the Fennecs during their two-match series against Togo.

Togo, meanwhile, will be watching closely to see whether Lilian Brassier makes his international debut. The Eintracht Frankfurt defender has joined the squad after choosing to represent the country of his heritage.

He has been called up to strengthen a defence without Kevin Boma and will be under particular scrutiny against Algeria.

The 10 players to watch are Mohamed Salah of Egypt, Achraf Hakimi of Morocco, Mohammed Kudus of Ghana, Ademola Lookman of Nigeria, Bryan Mbeumo of Cameroon, Yan Diomande of Cote d’Ivoire, Nicolas Jackson of Senegal, Issoufou Dayo of Burkina Faso, Abderrahmane Rebbach of Algeria and Lilian Brassier of Togo.