Hailed as one of the rising stars of the Africa Cup of Nations, Ibrahim Mbaye is highly anticipated at this edition. However, the young Paris Saint-Germain striker (17 years old) will not be the youngest player at the 2025 AFCON. The youngest player in the 35th edition is Zimbabwean.

Born on June 1, 2009 in Harare, Tadiwa Chakuchichi will play in the Africa Cup of Nations at just 16 years old. A right winger playing for Scotland FC, he will be the youngest player in the tournament, a symbol of Zimbabwe's bold bet on its youth.

Already established in the first division, the left-footed player has distinguished himself with his speed, power, and ability to create chances in one-on-one situations. Having been trained at a very young age at the highest level, he displays remarkable maturity despite his youth. A former U17 and U20 international, Chakuchichi is experiencing meteoric progress and is already attracting attention. This Africa Cup of Nations is the perfect showcase for him.

The 2025 edition is also characterized by the presence of many young talents, such as James Bogere (Uganda), Ibrahim Mbaye or Elia Mandanji (Zambia), all under 18 years old.

In a Zimbabwe side missing several key players and drawn into a tough group with Egypt, Angola, and South Africa, Tadiwa Chakuchichi represents a genuine glimmer of hope. Without undue pressure, the young winger is there primarily to learn.

But at the Africa Cup of Nations, revelations can sometimes emerge earlier than expected.