Seven stars to watch at AFCON including struggling Arsenal man

Former Chelsea stalwart Geremi has picked out seven players he believes will shine at the Africa Cup of Nations including a duo who ply their trade in the Premier League.

The 43-year-old won the tournament twice with Cameroon, in 2000 and 2002, and this year's edition is being held in his homeland.

Cameroon kicked off the group stage against Burkina Faso on Sunday afternoon while reigning champions Algeria, captained by Manchester City winger Riyad Mahrez, begin their defence against Sierra Leone on Tuesday.

Mahrez comes into the tournament in brilliant form as City's top goalscorer this season, but Geremi passed over the 30-year-old while choosing his players to keep a close eye on.

His selections include Arsenal midfielder Mohamed Elneny and Watford winger Ismaila Sarr, who represent Egypt and 2019 runners-up Senegal respectively.

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"Mohamed Elneny is also a standout for Egypt, he is an experienced player at the top level and always consistent for Arsenal when he gets the chance to play - and just as important as Mo Salah is for Egypt," Geremi told Metro.

Elneny, 29, has only made 10 appearances for the Gunners this season, while Hornets ace Sarr, 23, has also had a limited impact - scoring five goals in 12 games - due to a ligament injury.

But he has returned to fitness in time for AFCON and Geremi backed him to show why he has been linked with some of the Premier League's big dogs.

"In the Senegal national team, you have to look at Ismaila Sarr, he's going to do a lot of good things," Geremi added. "He has been very good for Watford in the past few years and he is an exciting young talent.

"He is still young and it's clear he has a lot of potential when teams like Liverpool have been interested."

Meanwhile, Ivory Coast supporters will hope Sebastien Haller continues his brilliant form at club level for his country having scored 22 goals in 24 games this season.

The 27-year-old never found his feet at West Ham but he is a player rejuvenated at Ajax and Geremi anticipates he could finish as the top goalscorer at AFCON.

"From the Ivory Coast, Sebastian Haller is one to watch," Geremi said.

"He is scoring a lot of goals for Ajax this season and for me has a very good chance to win the Golden Boot at AFCON if he continues with his current form."

Another player fancied to shine for Ivory Coast is midfielder Franck Kessie, who is highly rated and out of contract at AC Milan at the end of the season.

"This could be the tournament for Franck Kessie to show the Premier League's big clubs that he's perfect to sign from Milan," Geremi continued.

Geremi rounded off his selections with a trio from Ligue 1 including Lyon's Karl Toko Ekambi, who will line up in attack for hosts Cameroon.

"He can be a big talisman if my nation is going to try and win the tournament," Geremi said of Ekambi.

The 29-year-old's club teammate, Islam Slimani, also received the vote of confidence from the former Real Madrid star as he prepares to lead the line for Algeria, for whom he is the all-time record goalscorer.

Finally, Geremi declared Rennes winger Kamaldeen Sulemana has the chance to be a "huge star" for Ghana at the tender age of 19.