AFCON Semi-Finals: Talent Showcased as Premier League Clubs Keep a Close Eye

The AFCON semi-finals are set to kick off live on Sky Sports, showcasing an abundance of talent. As the tournament reaches its penultimate stage, Premier League clubs are keeping a close eye on the standout performers.

Nigeria vs South Africa

In the first semi-final, Nigeria will face South Africa. Nigeria has a strong track record against South Africa, having won all three previous meetings at past Cup of Nations finals. Ademola Lookman is the star player to watch for Nigeria, while Teboho Mokoena stands out for South Africa.

Ivory Coast vs DR Congo

The second semi-final will see Ivory Coast take on DR Congo. Ivory Coast is the favored team, riding a wave of home support and a remarkable revival at the tournament. Franck Kessie is the standout player for Ivory Coast, while Arthur Masuaku leads the way for DR Congo.

Identifying Top Prospects

Sky Sports has partnered with sports intelligence agency Twenty First Group (TFG) to identify the top prospects at the tournament. Using playing style and player profiles, TFG has matched these prospects with potential Premier League clubs.

Potential Premier League Suitors

Based on TFG's analysis, several players have caught the attention of Premier League clubs:

• Ademola Lookman (Nigeria)
• Teboho Mokoena (South Africa)
• Arthur Masuaku (DR Congo)
• Franck Kessie (Ivory Coast)

Best Fits for Premier League Clubs

TFG has also determined the most suitable Premier League clubs for each prospect:

• Bilal El Khannouss (Morocco) - Manchester City
• Yahia Fofana (Ivory Coast) - Crystal Palace
• Mohamed Achouri (Tunisia) - Crystal Palace
• Teremas Moffi (Nigeria) - Wolverhampton Wanderers
• Evan Ndicka (Ivory Coast) - Tottenham Hotspur
• Rocky Bushiri (DR Congo) - Everton
• Karim Konate (Ivory Coast) - Everton
• Samuel Chukwueze (Nigeria) - Aston Villa

Value for Money

When considering value for money, TFG has identified Ousmane Diomande (Ivory Coast) as the bargain buy. With a projected development potential and an expected salary, Diomande is matched with Manchester City.

Tournament Favorites

According to TFG's predictions, Ivory Coast is the frontrunner to win the tournament, followed by Nigeria, DR Congo, and South Africa. However, South Africa has defied expectations and reached the semi-finals with an impressive performance score.

Optimal Starting XIs

Based on players' tournament rankings, TFG has compiled the optimal starting XIs for each semi-finalist. Notable players to watch include Ademola Lookman for Nigeria, Teboho Mokoena for South Africa, Franck Kessie for Ivory Coast, and Arthur Masuaku for DR Congo.

As the AFCON semi-finals unfold, Premier League clubs will be closely monitoring the performances of these talented players, looking for potential signings to strengthen their squads.