This is the biggest football tournament extravaganza in Africa this year. The African Cup of Nations (AFCON) is a mixture of the usual suspects in the tournament and surprising qualifiers. Players from countries with little soccer history will be taking the big boys and you can be guaranteed of upsets. We take a look at the highest paid footballers- mostly plying their trade in European and Chinese leagues- who will represent their countries in AFCON 2019. The competition commences on 21 June to 19 July 2019.
Mohamed Salah-Liverpool and Egypt National Team Attacking midfielder
He is the highest earning footballer in the tournament that will be held in his home country Egypt. The reds player pockets £200,000 (approximately $254799.60)in weekly wages and other bonuses based on performance. Mohamed Salah, or simply Mo Salah, will be the most followed player in the competition. Egypt is the most successful nation in AFCON history with seven cups.
Egypt AFCON 2019 Squad
Goalkeepers: Ahmed El-Shennawy (Pyramids), Mohamed El-Shennawy (Al Ahly), Mohamed Abou-Gabal (Smouha), Mahmoud Gennesh (Zamalek)
Defenders: Ahmed El-Mohamady (Aston Villa), Baher El-Mohamady (Ismaily), Ahmed Hegazi (West Bromwich), Mahmoud Alaa (Zamalek), Mahmoud Hamdy El-Wensh (Zamalek), Ahmed Ayman Mansour (Pyramids), Omar Gaber (Pyramids), Ayman Ashraf (Al Ahly), Ahmed Aboul-Fotouh (Smouha)
Midfielders: Tarek Hamed (Zamalek), Mohamed Elneny (Arsenal), Ali Ghazal (Feirense), Nabil Emad Dunga (Pyramids), Walid Soliman (Al Ahly), Abdallah El-Said (Pyramids), Mohamed Salah (Liverpool), Mahmoud Hassan Trezeguet (Kasimpasa), Amr Warda (Atromitos)
Strikers: Ahmed Ali (Arab Contractors), Marwan Mohsen (Al Ahly), Ahmed Hassan Kouka (Olympiacos)
Riyad Mahrez-Manchester City and Desert Foxes Forward
He is from winning the EPL and his influence on the team will go a long way to determine how far the Algerian team reaches in the competition. The Manchester City player takes home a weekly salary of £200,000, making him one of the highest paid player in the tournament.
Algerian AFCON 2019 SQUAD
Goalkeepers:
Rais M’Bolhi (El Etifaq, KSA), Azzedine Doukha (Al Raed, KSA), Alexandre Oukidja (Metz FRA)
Defenders:
Aissa Mandi (Real Betis, SPA), Mehdi Zeffane (Rennes, FRA), Ramy Bensebaïni (Rennes, FRA), Rafik Halliche (Moreirense, POR), Mehdi Tahrat (Lens, FRA), Djamel Benlamri (Al Shabab, KSA), Youcef Atal (Nice, FRA), Mohamed Fares (SPAL, ITA)
Midfielders:
Haris Belkebla (Brest, FRA), Ismail Bennacer (Empoli, ITA), Mehdi Abeid (Dijon, FRA), Sofiane Feghouli (Galatasary, TUR), Adlene Guedioura (Nottingham, ENG), Hicham Boudaoui (PAC)
Forwards:
Adam Ounas (Naples, ITA), Riyad Mahrez (Manchester City, ENG), Islam Slimani (Fenerbahce, TUR), Yacine Brahimi (Porto, POR), Baghdad Bounedjah (Al Sadd, QAT), Youcef Belaïli (Espérance Tunis TUN)
Sadio Mane -Liverpool And Terenga Lions Striker
Fresh from lifting the Champions League with Liverpool, Sadio Mane will be keen to replicate club form for the Senegalese national team. Mane earns £150,000 (approximately $191,099.70) per week excluding bonuses.
Odion Ighalo-Changchun Yatai And Super Eagles
Former Watford striker Odion Ighalo is another well enumerated player who now plies his trade in Chinese outfit Changchun Yatai. According to multiple Nigerian news outlets, the striker earns £190,000-a-week wage (approximately $191,099.70).
André Ayew-Fenerbahçe and Ghana striker
On paper Ghana general captain-whatever that is-is the highest paid Ghanaian player. According to Ghanaweb.com, the Black Stars seized properties of his Turkish club Kayserispor over unpaid wages. This leaves André Morgan Rami Ayew as the highest paid player in the squad with an estimated weekly wage of $100,000.
Victor Wanyama- Tottenham Hotspurs and Harambee Stars midfielder
He reached the finals of the Champions League with Tottenham Hotspurs. Victor Wanyama is the highest paid footballer in East Africa earning £70,000 per week.
