Get the latest NUFC transfer and takeover news straight to your inbox for FREE by signing up to our newsletter Subscribe Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email

Africa’s footballing showpiece, the Africa Cup of Nations, got under way on Sunday in Equatorial Guinea and today marks the start of the second round of group fixtures.

While Ebola has cast a shadow over the host country, there is a genuinely exciting competition to be observed.

Newcastle have, since the Premier League started in 1992, had 15 African players represent the club.

In the current tournament two Magpies players are on show, Senegal’s Papiss Cisse and Ivory Coast’s Cheick Tiote (it was almost three but for injuries to scupper Mehdi Abeid’s chance).

Cisse has, of course, been a resounding success on Tyneside since he joined in January 2012, and, though Tiote hasn’t been in great form of late, he has also enjoyed some good times at St James’ Park.

With that success with players from Africa, it wouldn’t hurt to at least take a look at some of the emerging talent that will be on show this month in the central African country of Equitorial Guinea - even after Lee Charnley's comments that the club are 'unlikely' to do any business this month.

Here are six talents you may want to look out for.

Wahbi Khazri – Tunisia

23-year-old attacking midfielder Wahbi Khazri currently plays in French Ligue 1 for Bordeaux. Before joining his Tunisian team-mates he played 18 games in France’s top flight, scoring five goals and assisting two.

Tunisia are considered second favourites for the African finals behind Algeria and played their first match on Sunday, drawing 1-1 with Cape Verde. Khazri is considered by most experts to be the key to their potential success.

Khazri is a skilful player, comfortable on the ball and with the ability to finish when in front of goal.

With a lot of speculation surrounding Moussa Sissoko, if he was to leave, Newcastle could do worse than look at the Bordeaux playmaker as a replacement.

A set-piece specialist, he could offer the black and white’s something in that department too.

Jordan Ayew - Ghana

Also 23, Ayew is someone who has been on the radar of Newcastle in the past.

The Ghana striker played against Senegal in their opening game, but they lost 2-1.

Ayew was once looked at by the Magpies when the striker was at Marseille, but in the summer he joined fellow Ligue 1 side Lorient.

Before departing for international duty Ayew had played 17 times for his new side, scoring six goals and assisting four more.

With former Sunderland striker Asamoah Gyan sidelined after a ‘mild bout’ of malaria, Ayew’s role could be critical for Avram Grant’s side.

It’ll certainly be worth keeping an eye on from Newcastle’s point of view.

Afriyie Acquah - Ghana

Another Ghanaian who makes the list is 23-year-old Parma midfielder (on loan from Palermo).

Acquah also featured in the defeat against Senegal, though only from the bench with seven minutes to go.

The midfield general is big and strong and while still quite raw, could develop into a good talent.

Were Newcastle to go after him they could well have a younger and potentially better Cheik Tiote on their hands.

One man who knows all about the midfield general role is former Black Star international Michael Essien.

Of the young starlet he said: “He is a player with great talent and has his head firmly on his shoulders. If he can maintain his desire to work hard and keep developing, he could become one of the future pillars of the Ghana team.”

The problem is that the midfielder has had some off-field troubles leading into the competition.

There may be some baggage but it doesn’t mean he’s not worth looking at.

Yacine Brahimi – Algeria

Brahimi is expected to be the star player at this month’s tournament, representing favourites Algeria.

Interestingly, should Algeria live up to their tagging, Brahimi will win the trophy on his 25th birthday.

The Porto midfielder is a talented player, probably the best of the six on this list in terms of being the finished article.

Brahimi played in a more advanced role in Algeria’s 3-1 win over South Africa and set up their first goal in a bright display without ever getting fully in to his stride.

Brahimi is skilful, comfortable on the ball and can finish. In a free role just behind the striker Brahimi could excel in the Premier League if given the chance to express himself.

He has four league goals and five assists so far in the Portuguese league this season and has also contributed five goals in the Champions League.

The Magpies would show a lot of ambition by trying to tempt this player to Tyneside.

However, there is reported interest from Liverpool and if a move to England is viable it is likely a lot of clubs will be interested and that means Newcastle won’t be favourites to land him, if indeed they do try at all.

Moussa Konate – Senegal

A team mate of Cisse in the Senegal squad, Moussa Konate – full name Pape Moussa Konate – is regarded a bright African prospect with two international goals in eight caps at the age of just 21.

Konate is somewhat fortunate to be in the squad after West Ham’s Diafro Sakho withdrew injured, and as such he may not get much game time.

He did not feature in their 2-1 win over Ghana but it will be worth keeping an eye on the FC Sion forward if he does manage to get on the pitch.

Anybody who remembers the 2012 Olympic football tournament may be familiar with the name.

Konate finished second in the goalscoring charts, scoring five goals in just four games for the under-23s, including a goal against Great Britain in their 1-1 draw.

Konate is most comfortable as a forward but has been known to take up roles in attacking wide positions which could suit Newcastle.

So far this season in the Swiss league he has six goals in 13 appearances, with a minutes-per-goal ratio that is better than a goal every other game.

Thievy Bifouma – Congo

You may recognise this young striker from his loan spell in the second half of last season at West Brom.

The Congo international played six games for the Midlands club, scoring two goals including one 36 seconds into his debut – the quickest debut goal in Premier League history.

The Baggies decided not to pursue interest in the striker whose parent club is Spanish side Espanyol.

Instead the 22-year-old is now on loan with Almeria in La Liga, but in 14 appearances has scored just one goal.

He is still young and learning though, and most of those appearances have been from the bench.

Bifouma displayed the quality he does have in Congo’s opening fixture by scoring the equalising goal against Equitorial Guinea.

Given how well Ayoze Perez’s transfer from the Spanish Leagues has gone for the Magpies, they may have interest in going there again, and if that is the case then Bifouma will certainly be an affordable option who could potentially offer something.

It’ll be interesting to see how much more he can offer Congo in the competition.