FM26: Best African Wonderkids pt.2

Welcome back to Part 2 of the AFCON wonderkid list. In this article, we move beyond the defensive line and into the engine room and attacking areas of the pitch.

This completes the full 4-2-3-1, focusing on two defensive midfielders, two wide attackers, an attacking midfielder and a striker. All players are 23 or under and all have the potential to become elite options in long-term Football Manager saves.

DM: 🇨🇩 Noah Sadiki (20yo)

Noah Sadiki is one of the most complete young midfielders available in Football Manager right now. Belgian-born but representing the Democratic Republic of Congo, Sadiki is currently playing for Sunderland in the Premier League.

Although capable of playing at full-back or centre-back, his best role is in defensive midfield. His biggest strengths are his versatility, composure and ability to drive forward from deep areas as a box-to-box presence.

At the start of the game, Sadiki already stands out with high teamwork, a strong work rate and the stamina to sustain intense performances. Physically, he is close to being ready-made at just 20 years old, and mentally he is very solid. His technical attributes still have room to grow, but even early on he is a very reliable defensive midfielder.

After a five-year simulation, Sadiki reaches the age of 25 and earns a move to Inter Milan. His physical development is excellent, with near-elite levels across pace, strength and stamina for his role. His mental attributes also improve significantly, particularly his positioning and defensive awareness. With 15 ratings in tackling and passing and 16 in marking, he becomes one of the most well-rounded defensive midfielders on FM26 and a genuine elite-level option.

DM: 🇳🇬 Daniel Daga (18yo)

Next to Sadiki is Nigerian midfielder Daniel Daga, who currently plays for Molde in Norway.

Daga emerged from the Nigerian league at a very young age and quickly built a reputation for ball recoveries, tackles, interceptions and passing accuracy. That profile earned him a move to Europe and marked him as one of the brightest defensive midfield prospects to come out of Africa in recent years.

At the start of the game, Daga is part of Molde’s under-19 setup but is usually promoted to the first team almost immediately. He is a physically imposing midfielder who relies more on strength, aggression and work rate than agility or speed. He is not the quickest or most nimble, but he excels as a ball-winning presence who thrives on disrupting opposition play.

After five years of development, Daga ends up at Manchester City in this simulation and reaches a valuation of around £32 million. While he may not become a flashy superstar, his physical growth is noticeable, with improvements in acceleration, balance and even agility. He develops into a strong, reliable and well-rounded defensive midfielder and one of the best options in his role among young players on FM26.

LW: 🇸🇳 Assane Diao (19yo)

Moving into the attacking areas, the first wide player is Senegalese winger Assane Diao.

Currently playing for Como in Italy under Cesc Fàbregas, Diao joined from Real Betis in January 2025 for around €12 million. He made an instant impact in La Liga, scoring on his debut, and is known for his power, pace, aerial ability and direct running from wide areas.

At the start of the game, Diao is only 19 years old but already looks dangerous. He has 15 finishing, excellent off-the-ball movement and composure, and outstanding physical attributes including pace, acceleration and agility. His strength and stamina are slightly behind, but that is expected at his age.

After five years of development, Diao earns a big move to Liverpool and reaches a valuation of over £210 million. His stamina and strength improve, his decision-making sharpens and his technical attributes develop significantly. In-game, he effectively becomes a Sadio Mané-style winger, capable of scoring, assisting and dominating defenders. If you can sign him early, he is one of the best long-term investments available.

RW: 🇲🇦 Chemsdine Talbi (20yo)

On the right-hand side is Chemsdine Talbi, a winger born in Belgium in 2005 who represents Morocco at international level.

Talbi currently plays for Sunderland in the Premier League and developed at Club Brugge, where he gained valuable Champions League experience before making his move. This AFCON marks his first major international tournament.

Talbi is an explosive winger with electric pace, direct dribbling and strong creative output. At the start of the game, he has excellent flair and crossing, though his composure and concentration are areas that need work. He is also a smaller player, so his balance and aerial ability are limited.

After five years, Talbi develops extremely well and, somewhat surprisingly, remains at Sunderland. His crossing, dribbling, first touch and technique become outstanding, while his composure and concentration improve noticeably. Still only 25, he remains incredibly fast and consistent, making him a devastating winger in the right system. He is a player who performs reliably over long stretches of a season.

AM: 🇩🇿 Ibrahim Maza (19yo)

In the central attacking midfield role is Ibrahim Maza, one of Algeria’s most exciting young talents.

Born in 2005, Maza plays for Bayer Leverkusen after moving from Hertha Berlin and is already a regular at senior level in Germany. Known for his technical quality and intelligence between the lines, he combines close control, sharp passing and the ability to drive at defenders.

At the start of the game, Maza is valued at around £11 million and is already close to first-team ready. His dribbling, first touch and technique immediately stand out, and stylistically he strongly resembles a young Riyad Mahrez.

After five years of development, Maza earns a move to Barcelona and reaches a valuation of over £130 million. With 17 ratings in dribbling, first touch and technique, alongside excellent vision and flair, he becomes one of the most elite attacking midfielders in the game. His physical development also complements his technical quality, making him a complete number 10 by the age of 24.

ST: 🇨🇲 Karl Etta Eyong (21yo)

Leading the line is Cameroonian striker Karl Etta Eyong.

Currently playing for Levante in La Liga, Eyong developed through the youth systems at Douala and Cadiz before breaking into senior football. Despite Levante struggling near the bottom of the league, Eyong is widely tipped as a high-ceiling striker with elite potential.

At the start of the game, Eyong is 21, turning 22 in October, and valued at close to £30 million. He is a powerful, stocky striker with excellent pace and strength, strong work rate and good teamwork. His technical and mental attributes still need refinement, but the raw tools are all there.

After five years of development, Eyong moves to Al Nassr and reaches a valuation close to £100 million. His finishing improves to 16, his off-the-ball movement and composure develop well, and his overall technical level rises significantly. While his concentration remains a slight concern, he becomes a lethal forward and one of the most dangerous young strikers in the game. If his real-life trajectory continues, he is a player likely to receive further boosts in future FM editions.