Africa's creme de la creme kick off their battle to be crowned kings of Africa in the Land of the Pharaohs this weekend.
With some of the most talented players on the planet taking centre stage for the next month at Afcon, we take a look at the stars who will light out the tournament.
Whichever nation lifts the trophy in Cairo on July 11, you can be sure that one of these manne will have played a massive role.
Who is ready for this? #TotalAFCON2019 pic.twitter.com/Lilgm6T7MT
— AFCON 2019 (@AFCON2019) May 9, 2019
Riyad Mahrez - Algeria
With one of the sweetest left foots in the game, the Desert Foxes wing wizard will be one of the biggest entertainers on show.
The former "Premier League Player of the Season" has devastating skills on the ball.
SWEET LEFT FOOT: Riyad Mahrez. Photo: Phil Noble/Reuters.
His ability to twist and turn his marker opens up the space for him to curl a shoot across the goalkeeper or whip in an inviting cross for one of teammates to score.
Percy Tau - South Africa
Bafana Bafana’s main man has the form and confidence to turn a game in South Africa’s favour.
A year out in Belgian saw him get the sort of recognition he was looking for when he took his chance in Europe.
With nine goals in 18 matches for SA, that strike rate will serve his team well in Egypt this month.
SLOW START: Nicolas Pepe has had a slow start to his international career despite being one of the greats. Photo: Pascal Rossigno/Reuters.
Nicolas Pepe - Ivory Coast
Only Kylian Mbappe scored more goals than the Lille winger in Ligue 1 last season.
Those 22 strikes are testament to the type of form the 24-year-old has been in coming in the tournament.
After a slow start to his international career, he has scored four goals in his last five games for the Elephants.
Hakim Ziyech - Morocco
Now here is a player who is not short on self-belief. When asked how good he is, the Dutch-born Morocco attacker says he is on the same level as Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.
SELF-BELIEF: Hakim Ziyech. Photo: Piroschka van de Wouw/Reuters.
He did help Ajax Amsterdam to catch the eye en route to the Champions League semifinals. And with seven goals in his last 12 games for the Atlas Lions, Ziyech is on fire.
THE BEST: Egypt's Mo Salah. Photo: Elfiqi/EPA.
Mo Salah - Egypt
There is not much you can say to talk up the reigning back-to-back "African Footballer of the Year."
But after tasting glory by lifting the Champions League with Liverpool earlier this month, Salah will keen to add another winner’s medal to his collection.
Having been the top scorer in the Premier League for the last two season, expect him to add to his 39-goal international tally.
🇿🇼🙏🇿🇼 #Zimbabwe #WarriorsCamp pic.twitter.com/bStWDzrwMB
— Khama Billiat (@khama_Billiat11) May 30, 2019
Khama Billiat - Zimbabwe
After a quiet season at Kaizer Chiefs, Billiat will be out to show that he is still one of the best talents playing on the continent.
The tricky 28-year-old has already found the back of the net four times for the Warriors in 2019, which shows that his PSL struggles haven’t affected his belief in the national team jersey.
SHINING LIGHT: Alex Iwobi will be looking to bring his fire to the Nigeria side. Photo: Carl Recine/Reuters.
Alex Iwobi - Nigeria
One of the shining lights for his Arsenal side, Iwobi is starting to make a case to be the Gunners main creative force.
Iwobi has the ability to take the game by the scruff of the neck.
For a Super Eagles team that has lost a bit of its threat in the last couple of years, Iwobi will be a man in the spotlight.
THREAT: Sadio Mane of Senegal. Photo: Peter Powell/EPA.
Sadio Mane - Senegal
Mane has been in the form of his life this past season.
The Senegal ace finished as Premier League joint top scorer, with 22 goals, while he added four as his Liverpool side won the Champions League earlier his month.
Mane and the Lions of Teranga have been on a hot streak, winning six in a row, while only losing once at last year’s World Cup in Russia.
Black Stars return to training routine after Sunday’s friendly against Namibia #BlackStars2019 #TotalAFCON2019 pic.twitter.com/2I4JsgSoxr
— Ghana Football Association (@ghanafaofficial) June 11, 2019
Asamoah Gyan - Ghana
After hogging the spotlight for the wrong reasons earlier this month, Gyan will be out to show he is worth the effort at Afcon.
The Ghana legend quit international football after being stripped of the captaincy. But he was begged to come back by the nation’s president.
He will have to add to his 51 goals to lift his team now.
MALI
1x Runner-up
2017: Groups
Les Aiglons boast perhaps one of the most promising teams at the AFCON. A dynamic midfield core might be missing Yves Bissouma, easy to forget they finished bronze medalists twice consecutively. Can they survive in Pharaoh's enclave? pic.twitter.com/0TkkwnKMmn
— AFCON 2019 (@AFCON2019) June 21, 2019
Moussa Marega - Mali
Only Lionel Messi and Robert Lewandowski scored more Champions League goals than the powerful Mali winger this season.
With six goals in the world’s toughest club competition, he bettered his international tally of just two strikes in 19 games.
Hopefully he can improve that for the Eagles.