Chris Wildgoose | Sports Journalist

The African Cup of Nations has a way of gripping the football world like no other tournament can. Yes, it’s not as prestigious as the World Cup or as glamorous as the Copa America, but it has the ability to engross each and every one of us.

More often than not, the Premier League’s loss is the African Cup of Nation’s game. We’ve seen it at previous tournaments when a host of English football’s elite clubs lose their most prized assets – and this year is no different.

Leicester City must cope without Algerian duo Riyad Mahrez and Islam Slimani for the foreseeable future, while Sunderland are missing Wahbi Khazri for the duration of Tunisia’s stay in the competition.

However, gone are the days where the greatest African players of all time would go head to head for the most sought after trophy on the continent. No longer are we treated to the goal scoring exploits of Samuel Eto’o, Nwankwo Kanu and even 1995 Ballon d’Or winner George Weah, who represented Liberia at two African Cup of Nations finals.

More recently, midfield powerhouses Michael Essien and Yaya Toure would line up against one another at a time when Ghana and Ivory Coast had a handful of the most exciting and talented players in world football at their disposal.

These legends are consigned to history, but never forgotten.

And the African conveyer belt still continues to produce some of the best players on the planet, who ply their trade at some of the biggest football clubs in the world.

Gabon’s talismanic forward Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is one of the most prolific strikers in Europe at the moment and, inevitably, opened the scoring at this year’s tournament in front of his home crowd.

The 27-year-old has 20 goals to his name in 22 appearances for Bundesliga giants Borussia Dortmund this campaign and is a reported target for Real Madrid and Manchester City.

Eyebrows were raised when Liverpool parted with £34m to secure the services of Sadio Mane in the summer, but the Senegalese winger has become an integral part of Jurgen Klopp’s side at Anfield.

His direct style of play and incredible energy levels have made him one of the stars of the season so far and he is already off the mark for his country at the tournament, netting a penalty in Les Lions de la Teranga’s 2-0 victory over Tunisia.

As well as some of the most exciting forwards football has to offer, the African Cup of Nations is home to a few of defensive gems too. Take Mehdi Benatia, for example. The Moroccan won two Bundesliga titles with Bayern Munich under Pep Guardiola and is currently on loan at Serie A leaders Juventus.

Elsewhere, Ivory Coast’s Eric Bailly was the first signing of Jose Mourinho’s reign at Manchester United in the summer. There are high hopes at Old Trafford for the 22-year-old, who could be a mainstay at the heart of the Red Devil’s defence for years to come.

After one round of fixtures at this year’s finals, we’re one step closer to finding out who will be crowned African Cup of Nations champions 2017 but still none the wiser.

This competition throws up some of the most incredible scorelines imaginable. Scrips that cannot be written.

Think back to 2010 when hosts Angola let a 4-0 lead slip against Mali in the opening game, with two goals in injury time. Then, just two years later, Zambia stunned the football world by defeating overwhelming favourites Ivory Coast on penalties to claim their first title.

Not only is this competition an opportunity for teams to claim glory for their nation, this is a chance for players outside the radar to showcase their talents and ability. One of many examples is Emmanuel Mayuka, top scorer at the 2012 tournament, who was rewarded with a transfer to Premier League outfit Southampton the following summer.

Whatever you may think of the African Cup of Nations, the entertainment value and sheer passion of players and fans alike is unbeatable.