The Top 10 Afcon stars
The Top 10 Afcon stars
Posted: 2012-01-11 10:55
'Jay Jay' Okocha, Mohammed Gedo and Benni McCarthy – we look at 10 players who emerged in past Africa Cup of Nations tournaments and went on to become stars.
In every Africa Cup of Nations tournament, it has been a tradition that a star player will emerge and become a fan favourite due to their fine performances throughout the competition. This has witnessed various footballers develop into successful stars and allowing them to ply their trade in Europe.
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The competition attracts viewers and scouts from across the world, and this stands to reason, as many a star was discovered at past Afcon editions.
A look at 10 of the players who emerged in past tournaments and went on to become stars of African football.
10. KOLO TOURE (Cote D'Ivoire)
The former ASEC Mimosa defender remains one of the unsung heroes in the competition despite his splendid displays throughout a number of Afcon tournaments, where he was a key element of the Elephants squad.
Toure played in all five games for his country as they finished runners-up to Egypt at Afcon 2006, and his defensive qualities truly came to light at that tournament, gaining many fans on the continent thanks to his athletic abilities and work ethic, leading by example with solid defensive displays.
He has enjoyed a successful club career in England, playing for Arsenal and Manchester City since joining the Premier League in 2002.
9. KALUSHA BWALYA (Zambia)
He is a renowned footballer throughout the continent thanks to his impressive achievements, and is most certainly Zambia's best footballer to date.
He has featured in six Africa Cup of Nations, but truly came to light in the 90s when the Chipolopolo secured a third place finish in 1990 before second and third place finishes in 1994 and 1996 respectively.
His leadership of the team following the terrible plane crash which killed most of the squad and technical staff was incredible, and individual brilliance at the 1994 and 1996 Afcon tournaments turned him into a household name.
8. JAY JAY OKOCHA (Nigeria)
The former Nigeria attacking-midfielder was a vital player for the Super Eagles following his debut in 1993.
In 1994 he was a member of both the victorious 1994 Africa Cup of Nations squad and the World Cup group who made it to the second round before they lost to eventual runners-up Italy, but it was at the 1994 Afcon that he begun to gain fame as a great young player, cementing his spot in Europe with Bundesliga side Eintracht Frankfurt.
Throughout his career he was considered amongst the best on the continent, and he stands out as a player who many fans have missed since his international retirement in 2006.
7. ABEDI PELE (Ghana)
The Ghana legend burst on to the scene in 1982 when he helped Ghana win the Africa Cup of Nations at the tender age of 17. The feat was reminiscent of his Brazilian namesake's 17-year-old exploits at the 1958 World Cup.
It was the beginning of a long and prosperous football career which would see him win the Uefa Champions League with Marseille and collect a variety of individual awards for his contribution to the sport.
The three-time African Player of the Year was the most outstanding footballer at the 1992 Nations Cup, losing in a very tight final match against Cote D'Ivoire.
6. MICHAEL ESSIEN (Ghana)
The 28-year-old midfielder was born the year Ghana last won the Africa Cup of Nations, back in 1982. Perhaps that was an indication of his destiny to become one of the most important players for the Black Stars.
He made his competitive senior debut in the 2002 Afcon against Morocco on 21 January. He quickly built a name for himself and has developed into a powerful midfield general for club side Chelsea.
The 'Bison' led Ghana to the quarter-finals of the Africa Cup of Nations in 2008 after their captain John Mensah was given his marching orders against Nigeria.
5. RIGOBERT SONG (Cameroon)
The former Liverpool defender became the first African to play in four World Cups, but it was his early days with the national team in Africa Cup of Nations action that allowed him the opportunity to catch the eye of European scouts, leading to his move to the continent.
He was part of the squad for the 1996 Afcon, and from there his abilities became recognised, producing a club career that included playing for Salernitana in Italy, Liverpool and West Ham in England, as well as Lens in France and finally Galatasaray and Trabzonspor in Turkey.
He featured in 33 Afcon matches and won the title with the Indomitable Lions in 2000 and 2002.
4. BENNI McCARTHY (South Africa)
The Bafana Bafana all-time top scorer seemed to come out of no where to be crowned the Most Valuable Player of the 1998 competition in Burkina Faso.
Along with the ever-present Hossam Hassan of Egypt, McCarthy was the joint top scorer with seven goals, including an incredible four strikes in 13 minutes against Namibia during his country's group stage match against their neighbours.
Those performances allowed him to be recognised internationally and provided the impetus for a move to Portuguese giants Porto before he transferred to the English Premier League, where he represented Blackburn Rovers and West Ham United.
3. EL HADJI DIOUF (Senegal)
Controversy has often marred the striker, but when he came to light for the Senegalese national team at the 2002 Afcon, he did it in style.
The two-time African Player of the Year was chosen in the Caf Team of the Tournament for his efforts in getting the Teranga Lions to the final, before they lost to Cameroon on penalties, and although he missed one of the decisive spot-kicks, he was remembered for his great performances throughout the tournament, which helped his national team become runners-up.
He may not be a favourite amongst fans for his personality, but he is certainly one of the best players not to have won an Afcon title.
2. SAMUEL ETO'O (Cameroon)
After debuting for the Indomitable Lions in 1997, and playing a small part in Cameroon's 1998 World Cup campaign, it was the 2000 and 2002 Afcon competitions where Eto'o made his mark on world football and began to make a formidable name for himself.
Cameroon won the title in 2000 and defended their crown two years later, with the young Eto'o in fine form and contributing immensely, going on in later seasons to successful club spells with European giants Barcelona and Inter.
The legendary Cameroonian holds the record for the most goals in Afcon history, with an incredible 18 strikes to his name.
1. MOHAMMED GEDO (Egypt)
Gedo was a virtual unknown before the tournament in Angola, but he gained fame across the continent with his fantastic finishing and status as Egypt's secret weapon at the 2010 Africa Cup of Nations.
The youthful super-sub spent most of his time on the bench in the 2010 edition, but he came on as a substitute six times, scoring five goals and earning himself the Golden Boot and the Breakthrough Player of the Tournament award along the way thanks to his impressive exploits.
He scored the only goal that separated the Pharoahs from Ghana in the final to secure a third consecutive title for Egypt in Angola.
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