Mohamed Salah and the six other players to watch at the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations - in pictures

Kalidou Koulibaly (Senegal): The much-sought-after Napoli centre-back was named Serie A’s best defender last season, making the league’s team of the year for a third time. His side finished runner-up to Juventus second successive season, and again rumours have surfaced of a money-spinning transfer away from Italy. The most high-profile defender at the tournament, he has 32 caps for Senegal having made his debut in 2015. AFP

Mohamed Salah (Egypt): The undoubted headline act, the Liverpool forward is expected to drive the hosts towards a record-extending eighth continental title. Comes into tournament off the back of a hugely successful season at club level, winning a second straight Premier League Golden Boot (he shared the award with Sadio Mane and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang) and a first Uefa Champions League crown. Has 39 goals in 63 appearances for country. Reuters

Sadio Mane (Senegal): Like club colleague Salah, the Liverpool forward arrives in Egypt in fine fettle having finished joint top scorer in the Premier League with 22 goals and played a pivotal role in the Champions League-winning run. Senegal have never before captured the Afcon title, and Mane will have to improve on two goals in his last 11 appearances, but he can undeniably light up the tournament. Has 16 goals in 60 matches for country. AFP

Riyad Mahrez (Algeria): Another Premier League star, another one who lands at the tournament having experienced club success last season. The winger joined Manchester City last summer for a club record £60 million (Dh280m), although he did start only 14 matches as the English champions retained their title. Will still be integral to Algeria’s chances of a second Afcon crown. Has 10 goals in 45 caps for country. Getty Images

Hakim Ziyech (Morocco): Enjoyed a breakout campaign last season as a prominent member of Ajax’s much-celebrated side. The winger helped the Dutch club to a domestic double, while also starring in their run to the Champions League semi-finals. Finished season with a remarkable 21 goals and 22 assists. Switched allegiance to Morocco in 2015 and has 14 goals in 25 appearances. His country have once before won the Afcon, in 1976. AFP

Wilfried Zaha (Ivory Coast): The hugely talented forward was again the go-to man at Crystal Palace last season, where for the first time in his career he reached double figures in Premier League goals for a single campaign. Switched allegiance to Ivory Coast just before the 2017 Afcon and has represented the country 10 times, scoring twice. Ivory Coast will hope he can supply the spark to seal a third continental championship. EPA

Thomas Partey (Ghana): A dependable cog in Diego Simeone’s tenacious and talented Atletico Madrid side, the defensive midfielder finished runner-up in last season’s Primera Liga (also has a silver medal from the 2015/16 Champions League). Tough and at times temperamental, he is typically employed in a more advanced role for Ghana, who are looking for a fifth Afcon title but first since 1982. Has seven goals in 18 appearances for country. AFP

Kalidou Koulibaly (Senegal): The much-sought-after Napoli centre-back was named Serie A’s best defender last season, making the league’s team of the year for a third time. His side finished runner-up to Juventus second successive season, and again rumours have surfaced of a money-spinning transfer away from Italy. The most high-profile defender at the tournament, he has 32 caps for Senegal having made his debut in 2015. AFP

Mohamed Salah and the six other players to watch at the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations - in pictures

To see who else to watch out for at the June 21-July 19 continental showpiece, simply swipe left/right on the gallery above