* Christian Kofane writing AfCON history for Cameroon at 19 years old as the Indomitable Lions date hosts Morocco tonight (21h00)
* At 17, Ibrahim Mbaye roars loud as Senegal’s unlikely hero ahead of quarterfinal clash against Mali (18h00)
Maravi Express
Two players will stand out in today’s quarterfinals of the Africa Cup of Nations (AfCON) — teenagers Christian Kofane for Cameroon and Senegal’s Ibrahim Mbaye, who have so far stamped their mark at the Morocco 2025 edition.
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Christian Kofane is set to write AfCON history for Cameroon at 19 years old as the Indomitable Lions date hosts Morocco tonight (21h00) while at 17, Ibrahim Mbaye is roaring loud as the Lions of Teranga’s unlikely hero ahead of quarterfinal clash against Mali (18h00).
Christian Michel Kofane’s rise has been anything but accidental. Groomed in Cameroon, tested in Europe, and now shining on the continent’s biggest stage, the 19-year-old striker is living proof that preparation meets opportunity.
By choosing to set aside personal ambition and answer Cameroon’s call at the AfCON, Kofane has stepped into a lineage shaped by legends — and begun carving his own space within it.
Cameroon’s attacking history at AfCON is rich and storied, defined by forwards who combined skill, mental strength, and a nose for goals. Roger Milla brought joy and belief, dazzling at AfCON 1984 and 1988 and leading the Indomitable Lions to the 1988 title as top scorer.
Roger Milla
Samuel Eto’o later transformed that legacy into dominance, becoming AfCON’s all-time leading goalscorer with 18 goals and lifting the trophy twice, in 2000 and 2002.
Other greats like Patrick Mboma, Vincent Aboubakar, and François Omam-Biyik carried Cameroon’s attacking traditions with distinction, producing iconic moments that remain etched in the nation’s footballing memory.
Eto’o, Mboma, Aboubakar and Omam-Biyik
Christian Kofane now walks in their footsteps. His foundations were laid far from packed stadiums and bright lights. After an early spell at AS Vatican, he found his footballing identity at AS Nylon, a club renowned for its emphasis on technical play and possession.
It was there that his instincts sharpened and his confidence grew: “I spent some time at AS Vatican before moving to AS Nylon, where tiki-taka football is promoted. That’s one of the reasons why, when I arrived at Albacete, I adapted quickly.
“It wasn’t easy, but I had a strong foundation,” explained Kofane, who with AS Nylon, became top scorer at multiple youth tournaments, announcing himself as one of Cameroon’s brightest attacking prospects.
His standout performances at the Footstyl Tournament earned him a move to Albacete in Spain less than two years ago — his first step into European football.
The progression did not stop there. Last summer, Kofane made a major leap, joining Bayer Leverkusen. Even among elite company, he wasted no time leaving his mark, becoming the youngest goalscorer in the club’s history in the UEFA Champions League — another record added to a growing collection.
That Champions League night also delivered a moment rich in symbolism. After Bayer Leverkusen’s match against Paris Saint-Germain, Kofane crossed paths with the very man whose footsteps he is now following.
“Samuel Eto’o is a legend — he’s an icon not just in Cameroon, but across Africa,”Kofane told CAFonline. “After the match, he gave me advice. He told me, ‘son, you have to make more decisions in matches like these — the Champions League — because that’s where you recognise great players.’”
Those lessons are visible in Kofane’s AfCON performances. Against Mozambique, it was his mental strength that defined the night. He scored the winning goal, earned Man of the Match, and set a tournament record, delivering under pressure when Cameroon needed him most.
The symbolism deepened against South Africa in the knockout stage. At 19 years and 5 months, Kofane found the net to become the second-youngest Cameroonian to score in an AfCON knockout match, trailing only Samuel Eto’o, who did so at 18 years and 10 months. History, once again, met the present.
Despite the milestones, Kofane remains grounded: “We showed real desire. We knew we would suffer and spend a lot of time chasing the ball, but we managed to bring intensity and determination. We took our chances, and in the end we came out as winners,” he reflected.
He is equally honest about his journey still being a work in progress: “I’m still a player in full development. I can score more goals in a single match, but I still miss too many chances.”
For Kofane, AFCON is more than competition — it is emotion: “I try to give a bit of joy to Cameroonians. It’s a childhood dream coming true, and we will keep working to go as far as possible in this competition.”
From the tiki-taka lessons of AS Nylon to rapid adaptation in Spain, from record-breaking nights in the Champions League to historic goals at AfCON, Christian Kofane’s story is one of deliberate growth. At 19, he is still learning — but already delivering.
In Cameroon, that combination has always been the mark of great strikers. Following the footsteps of Milla; Eto’o; Mboma; Aboubakar and Omam-Biyik, Christian Kofane is showing that the nation’s rich attacking legacy is not only alive — it has a bright new chapter to write.
For Senegal’s Ibrahim Mbaye, at just 17 years and 344 days old, he has already done what generations of footballers only dream of — he has carried Senegal through to a knockout match and written his name into the AfCON’s history books.
The Paris Saint-Germain teenager capped another extraordinary night last Saturday by scoring Senegal’s third goal in a 3-1 victory over Sudan, sealing the Teranga Lions’ place in the quarter-finals and confirming his status as one of the tournament’s breakout stars.
In the process, Mbaye became the youngest Senegalese goalscorer in AfCON history and the youngest player to score at the finals in the 21st century, a double milestone achieved in one of the tournament’s most demanding moments.
Thrown into the fray with Senegal seeking control and calm late in the contest, Mbaye showed maturity far beyond his age. Released through on goal, he used his explosive pace to pull away from Sudan’s defence before finishing with composure that belied his years.
It was not just a goal — it was a moment of authority, sealing Senegal’s progress and underlining why the teenager has rapidly become indispensable despite the presence of global stars around him.
Mbaye’s goal completed a remarkable AfCON journey so far. He had already provided the assist for Sadio Mané’s equaliser against DR Congo, won a decisive penalty against Benin, and impressed repeatedly off the bench with fearless direct running and tactical intelligence.
Former Nigeria international Daniel Amokachi believes the teenager’s impact has gone beyond numbers: “He created chances and helped. He really showed the quality of a young man. He stood out in all the matches in his group and made the difference.”
Senegal head coach Pape Thiaw has been measured yet unwavering in his belief in Mbaye, carefully managing his minutes while trusting him in decisive moments. After another influential performance, Thiaw was clear about the responsibility that comes with nurturing such rare talent.
Pape Thiaw
“It’s a chance to have a young player like Ibrahima who is showing great promise, who is winning titles at 17,” he said. “He’s a gem, and we need to nurture him. We know what he can bring to this team, and we will do everything we can to ensure he thrives and is at his best.”
Thiaw has repeatedly stressed the importance of surrounding Mbaye with experienced leaders such as Kalidou Koulibaly, Sadio Mané and Moussa Niakhaté — a blend of youth and authority that has allowed the teenager to flourish without fear.
Inside the Senegal camp, Mbaye’s emergence has been greeted not with surprise, but admiration. Sadio Mané, the team’s talisman, has spoken openly about the youngster’s mentality.
“At 17, at this level, I think it’s impressive,” Mané said. “He has a bright future ahead of him. He’s an exceptional player.” Midfielder Pape Gueye echoed that sentiment, pointing to Mbaye’s personality rather than just his talent: “He’s a young lad who brings a lot to the team with his carefree attitude. He’s daring.”
Even opponents have felt his influence. DR Congo coach Sébastien Desabre admitted Mbaye changed the rhythm of their match: “Mbaye’s introduction made the difference. His speed and technique caused us problems.”
Mbaye’s rise feels even more poignant given the decision he made only months ago. A former France youth international who represented Les Bleus at multiple age groups, the Trappes-born winger opted to commit his international future to Senegal — the country of his father.
It was not a move driven by circumstance, but conviction:“When the choice comes from the player, it’s always easier,” Thiaw explained earlier in the tournament. “Here, it was a choice of the heart. Ibrahim has always wanted to play for Senegal.”
Mbaye himself has spoken about what wearing the green shirt means to him: “It’s a huge pleasure to be with the veterans like Kalidou, Sadio and Gana. It’s a childhood dream come true.”
Now, Senegal face Mali — a familiar West African rivalry layered with physicality, intensity and history. For a teenager still months away from his 18th birthday, the stage could hardly be bigger.
Yet Mbaye has shown no sign of shrinking from responsibility — whether starting or again coming off the bench, he has become a tactical weapon Senegal rely on when matches demand urgency and incision.
“He has that spark within him,” said teammate Krépin Diatta. “He’s young, but you can’t tell on the pitch. Every time he comes on, he brings something extra.”
Mbaye’s AfCON journey is already one for the ages, but its significance stretches beyond Morocco 2025. It speaks to Senegal’s evolving identity — a powerhouse unafraid to trust youth, even in the most unforgiving moments.
At 17, Ibrahim Mbaye is not just participating in Africa’s biggest football stage — he is shaping it and as Senegal chase a second AfCON title, the roar of the Teranga Lions is being carried, remarkably, by their youngest voice.—Reporting by CAFonline; edited by Maravi Express
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