An unforgettable FIFA World Cup for Africa is only just behind us and already, the 26-27 season is underway, with some of the continent's brightest talents surely on the cusp of a campaign that will change their career trajectories forever.
Whether wonderkids taking their first steps in the game, or international players on the brink of another stratum altogether, here are ESPN's predicted 10 African breakout stars for the 26-27 season.
Christ Inao Oulaï - Fiorentina/Ivory Coast
Barely two years ago, Oulai was struggling to establish himself in the French lower leagues with SC Bastia. Now, he's made a high-profile transfer to Fiorentina having become an Ivory Coast international, played at the World Cup, and become one of Africa's most exciting young midfielders.
A diminutive midfield presence, he's magnificent in congested areas, technically adroit, comfortable in possession and - as he showcased for the Elephants at the World Cup - has the confidence to chance the complexion of play with a sharp pass or mazy dribble.
Bazoumana Touré - Newcastle United/Ivory Coast
Another member of this young and eminently watchable Ivory Coast team is forward Toure, who made an unexpected move to the Premier League this offseason when he swapped Hoffenheim for Newcastle.
Still only 20, his has been an unconventionally swift route to the top, having already featured for ASEC Mimosas and Hammarby, before impressing in Germany with his acceleration and directness.
With Anthony Gordon departing for Barcelona, and leaving big hole on the left flank, Toure should get an immediate opportunity to impress.
How quickly will he be able to find his feet in a team in transition, with a new manager in Matthias Jaissle, a new playing style, and a squad overhaul.
Caleb Yirenkyi - Coventry City/Ghana
Yirenyki has been tipped to become Michael Essien's heir with the Ghana national side, and after his move to Coventry, he now has the opportunity to emulate one of the Black Stars' all-time greats in the Premier League.
Yirenkyi has enjoyed a rapid rise from the Right to Dream Academy in his homeland to Denmark's FC Nordsjaelland, and a (likely) relegation battle with the Sky Blues represents an immense step up.
Nonetheless, working with Frank Lampard -- who knows Essien well from their Chelsea days -- should benefit him, and his driving presence, athleticism and tenacity should be well suited to the Prem.
At 20, however, he has to prove this move has not come too soon.
Sidiki Cherif - Coventry City/Guinea
Another Coventry recruit this offseason, Cherif arrives at Coventry from Fenerbahce in a loan deal with an obligation to buy, for a free reported to be north of £20m.
This one is a risk, even though Cherif's qualities -- his strength, his ability, his versatility across the forward line -- are there for all to see.
Even though he's already represented Fener in UEFA competition, the 19-year-old still has some rough edges and Lampard will need to find a way to improve the attacker's end product and decision-making, while also helping Cherif manage the emotional strain of a relegation battle, if he's to become a breakout star this term.
In truth, Cherif's true value may only be seen in the years to come, but if the Sky Blues can get the best of his undisputed gifts, then he may yet prove a worthwhile gamble for the PL new boys.
Mamadou Sangare - Brentford/Mali
Brentford invested heavily to bring him to the Premier League from Racing Club de Lens, parting with £39m to sign the Mali international.
He was outstanding in France last season, establishing himself as an imposing presence in the heart of the park, coupling relentless ball-winning, an immense engine and intelligence in possession.
He could well surpass the impact made by Noah Sadiki at Sunderland during his debut campaign last season, and ESPN's Sam Tighe has already tipped Sangare to be his potential 'signing of the season' in the top flight this term.
Hamza Abdelkarim - Barcelona/Egypt
Tipped by ESPN as one of the African wonderkids to watch at the World Cup, Abdelkarim lived up to his 'Egyptian Haaland' nickname, with his physical presence and movement catching the eye, even though he didn't find the net across his four appearances.
Ostensibly one for the future, Abdelkarim may be primed to get an opportunity to impress for Barcelona sooner than expected after scoring four pre-season goals for Hansi Flick's side, prompting speculation in Catalonia that he could already make an impact in the first team this term.
The teenager scored six in 11 for Barcelona's U-19s after moving from Al Ahly, and it wouldn't be a massive surprise if he made his senior debut withing weeks.
Bara Sapoko Ndiaye - Bayern Munich/Senegal
Like Abdelkarim, Ndiaye was named in his country's World Cup squad, featuring for the briefest of cameos during the African champions' late collapse against Belgium.
Like the Egyptian, he's also found himself - especially early in his career - on the books of one of the world's biggest football institutions, with noises from inside the club appearing to be particularly excited about his development.
He worked his way through several local academies in Senegal before joining Gambino's Stars Africa in The Gambia, from where he made the jump to Bayern.
He made his Bundesliga debut in April, but what kind of opportunity will Vincent Kompany give the midfielder in the first team this term?
Ngal'ayel Mukau - Lille/Congo DR
At the time of writing, Ayyoub Bouaddi appears primed to become the next player to be exported from Lille to the Premier League, following in the footsteps of Eden Hazard, Gervinho, Nicolas Pépé, Idrissa Gueye, Yohan Cabaye etc, and on to stardom in English football.
In a year's time, could it be Mukau's turn? The Belgium-born midfielder was a regular in Ligue 1 and the Europa League last term, assertive, smart, easy on the ball, and - alongside Bouaddi - has looked comfortable controlling games against the continent's best.
A positive experience at the World Cup should have done him good as well, and don't be surprised if the 21-year-old is the subject of major transfer interest in 12 months' time.
Abdellah Ouazane - Ajax/Morocco
The youngest player on this list, but Ouazane has the talent to translate his eye-catching performances in youth football to senior level across 26-27.
The Player of the Tournament at the U-17 AFCON in 2025, he's perhaps exactly what you'd expect from a modern playmaker, born in Amsterdam to Moroccan parents, and forged in Ajax's specific football schooling.
He's marvellous when gliding through congested areas, or slowing down possession and taking responsibility, while - so far in his career - he's rarely looked ruffled regardless of the scale of the challenge ahead of him.
Ouazane has been given minutes in pre-season, fuelling hope that he could have a part to play in the first team this term, and Ajax should be the perfect environment for him to test himself at a higher level.
Zadok Yohanna - Brighton & Hove Albion/Nigeria
Yohanna is another on this list who's enjoyed a meteoric rise over the last 18 months, but now finds himself primed to tackle his biggest challenge yet.
Remarkably, as recently as last June, he was still playing youth football in Nigeria - with the Ikon Allah Football Academy in Kaduna - and joins Brighton after only a year of European football, in Sweden with AIK.
Peter Wennberg, AIK's Technical Director, suggested - curiously - that Yohanna could "sting like a cobra" if given space to operate, particularly in wide areas, where his explosive pace and unpredictability should make him a nightmare for opposition defenders to contend with.
Brighton should be licking their lips, given their capacity for turning obscure imports into rounded Prem stars, and the 19-year-old could be the club's next breakout star.