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With slightly less than three months to go before the year ends, we already have quite a few magical moments to remember. From last and the ongoing season. Although we didn't have a prominent international competition, the Confederations Cup helped the fans through the dull summer before the transfer window. However, earlier in the year, the AFCON didn't fail to live up to expectations.
All over the top leagues in Europe, a new set of young players from Africa are creating landmark moments and developing at a faster rate than ever before. Games in the domestic and European Cup competitions have helped chisel the younger generation of African football stars.
We take a look at some of the younger African players in Europe and five of them who might impress next year:
#5 Victor Osimhen
The young sensation announced himself to the football world in a fantastic fashion after breaking all the previous goalscoring records and coming out as the biggest goal-scorer ever in the history of the U-17 World Cup championship, bagging 11 goals in Chile in 2015. More specifically was the manner in which Victor Osimhen took his goals at the competition.
He has been tipped to take over the goal father, Rashidi Yekini, because of his style of play. Osimhen balanced his achievement by joining the big boys and giving a wonderful account of himself during the national U-23 Olympics where he represented his nation, Nigeria in the competition.
He has been signed by a German team, VFL Wolfsburg and recruited into their youth team. However, he is expected to break into the senior team and show Europe what he is truly made of in 2018.
#4 Fabrice Olinga
Fabrice Olinga is a pacey, smart, physically strong and clinical attacker/midfielder who has already, on many occasions, portrayed a big-game mentality plus an aptitude for the grand occasion. He emerged from the Samuel Eto'o Foundation and shares certain similarities with the Cameroonian legend in the sense that they both played for Spanish club, Malaga CF and of course, are both Cameroonians.
He is currently playing for Belgian club, Royal Mouscron Péruwelz on loan from Málaga CF. He has already scored one goal for the Belgian club this season and with European giants, Chelsea, Lazio and Genk rumoured to be scouting the young star, he is one of those African young talents to light up Europe in 2018.
#3 Kelechi Iheanacho
Kelechi Iheanacho, who left Manchester City for Leicester in the last transfer window, is one of the most impressive forwards in Africa. He played a fine role at Manchester City, despite the nature of competitiveness that existed among players in the club before finally moving away from the Etihad Stadium.
He is a naturally gifted attacker and has good pace, passing ability and can finish. He can also dribble and create chances. Although he has had a quiet start to the season, he is one of the few African youngsters to watch out for in 2018 once he settles in at KP Stadium.
#2 Moses Simon
Moses Simon is an electrifying winger with perfect ball control, awesome pace and exquisite dribbling skills. He almost joined Ajax Amsterdam in 2013, even scoring for them in pre-season matches before he eventually signed for AS Trencin in 2014. He was then snapped up by Belgian club, Gent.
In his first campaign for Gent, Simon scored 7 goals and contributed numerous assists on their way to finishing second, qualifying them for the Champions League. At a young age, the potential is promising, as some English Premier League's top clubs like Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur, are said to be showing interest.
#1 Alex Iwobi
Alex Iwobi is one of the most creative African young players at the moment. The way he handles the ball is highly remarkable. He is fast, he can pass, dribble, create chances and score goals. The Arsenal midfielder has been a very important member of Arsene Wenger's squad ever since breaking into the first team.
This season Iwobi has three appearances in the Premier League. He has also played in the UEFA Europa League once.
The Nigerian International has managed one goal and created 5 chances. He has completed 92 passes this term with a pass accuracy of 91%, out of which 57% have been forward passes. He is one of the most promising starlets rising from Africa and is going to prove himself in 2018 under the tutelage of Wenger.
