The Africa Cup of Nations 2015 is getting more tensed and action-packed as it enters day 4 today.
The event which is exercised every two years sees the best African players take a three-week hiatus from their club teams to compete for glory.
While their club managers may loathe the tournament, it’s a great chance to see the continent’s premier players all in one place.
Just as the AFCON 2015 gets heated up, soccer loving fans across the world are expecting to see some of the best stars in the continent live up to their billings.
AFCON 2015 promises all the action, excitement, unpredictability, and drama that it always delivers and as such, you can never go wrong to say Africa is blessed with some of the best raw talents across the world.
In no order, these are 16 players to watch out for at AFCON 2015. These 16 players from the 16 teams slogging it out for glory in the tournament all have one thing at the back of their mind which is; ‘’Victory’’.
Yacine Brahimi, Algeria
One player to look out for at the AFCON 2015 is Algerian star, Yacine Brahimi.
The porto winger who won the BBC African Player of the year in 2014 scored three goals during AFCON qualifying and will likely add to that tally during the tournament.
However, it’s his dribbling ability that makes him such a great
player. Whether he’s in the midfield or on the left wing, Algeria’s
attack will go through him.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Gabon
The people of Gabon will be banking on the services of their talisman, Pierre Aubemeyang at this year’s African Cup of Nations.
The striker who netted in his side 2-0 opening game win against Burkina Faso has so much to offer at the tournament.
Borussia Dortmund forward Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang likely has
redemption on his mind coming into this year’s tournament. Back in 2012,
Aubameyang missed a penalty kick in the quarterfinal match against Mali
which ultimately led to Gabon’s exit. While he’s been Gabon’s finest
player for quite some time, 2014 was the year that became one of
Africa’s best.
He finished second in fan voting for BBC’s African Footballer of the Year. Gabon’s greatly depends on the 25-year old to carry the goalscoring load and he is one of the tournament’s must-see players.
Mame Biram Diouf, Senegal
Senegal are hardly lacking in the attacking department, but one man whose form may just carry them all the way is stoke city forward Mame Diouf .
The striker who scored one and created another to help his side defeat the black stars of Ghana in the opening game of Group C is a threat to defenders at AFCON 2015.
His clinical eye for goal could provide a serious headache for his defensive opponents.
André Ayew, Ghana
When he was dropped from Ghana’s squad for AFCON 2013 after a dispute with the country’s football association, his quality was sorely missed. His return to the team for the 2014 World Cup, where he scored twice, further highlighted his importance.
The 24-year-old is quick, tricky and unpredictable. Asamoah Gyan, who
top-scored for Ghana in the qualifiers, may well be the Black Star’s
most prolific striker, but Ayew will likely be creating those chances.
His goal from the spot was however not enough for his team as they went down 1-2 to Senegal in their opening fixtures at AFCON 2015.
The event which is exercised every two years sees the best African players take a three-week hiatus from their club teams to compete for glory.
While their club managers may loathe the tournament, it’s a great chance to see the continent’s premier players all in one place.
Just as the AFCON 2015 gets heated up, soccer loving fans across the world are expecting to see some of the best stars in the continent live up to their billings.
AFCON 2015 promises all the action, excitement, unpredictability, and drama that it always delivers and as such, you can never go wrong to say Africa is blessed with some of the best raw talents across the world.
In no order, these are 16 players to watch out for at AFCON 2015. These 16 players from the 16 teams slogging it out for glory in the tournament all have one thing at the back of their mind which is; ‘’Victory’’.
Yacine Brahimi, Algeria
One player to look out for at the AFCON 2015 is Algerian star, Yacine Brahimi.
The porto winger who won the BBC African Player of the year in 2014 scored three goals during AFCON qualifying and will likely add to that tally during the tournament.
BBC African footballer of the Year, Yacine Brahimi.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Gabon
The people of Gabon will be banking on the services of their talisman, Pierre Aubemeyang at this year’s African Cup of Nations.
The striker who netted in his side 2-0 opening game win against Burkina Faso has so much to offer at the tournament.
Gabonese International, Pierre Aubemenyang
He finished second in fan voting for BBC’s African Footballer of the Year. Gabon’s greatly depends on the 25-year old to carry the goalscoring load and he is one of the tournament’s must-see players.
Mame Biram Diouf, Senegal
Senegal are hardly lacking in the attacking department, but one man whose form may just carry them all the way is stoke city forward Mame Diouf .
The striker who scored one and created another to help his side defeat the black stars of Ghana in the opening game of Group C is a threat to defenders at AFCON 2015.
Senegalese striker Mame Biram Diouf
André Ayew, Ghana
When he was dropped from Ghana’s squad for AFCON 2013 after a dispute with the country’s football association, his quality was sorely missed. His return to the team for the 2014 World Cup, where he scored twice, further highlighted his importance.
Ghana midfielder, Andre Ayew
His goal from the spot was however not enough for his team as they went down 1-2 to Senegal in their opening fixtures at AFCON 2015.
Yannick Bolasie, DRCongo
Crystal Palace’s tricky winger could have represented France or England, but chose DRCongo in 2014.
In qualifying, he scored two goals against Sierra Leone and inspired his team’s 4-3 victory against Côte d’Ivoire with three assists. The 25-year-old Bolasie enjoys taking on players, and if he can link up well with forward Trésor Mputu, their partnership will be formidable.
His goal for his side in their opening game with Zambia to earn a
hard fought 1-1 draw with the 2012 AFCON winners shows his quality.
Eric Choupo-Moting, Cameroon
While Vincent Aboubakar and Stephane M’Bia may be better players for Cameroon, neither can match the current form of Eric Choupo-Moting.
The strong forward has scored ten goals in all competitions since joining Schalke over the summer and netted a hat trick last month against Stuttgart.
With Samuel Eto’o now retired from international play, the goals have
to come from somewhere and Choupo-Moting is their biggest scoring
threat right now.
Seydou Keita, Mali
Old war horse, Seydou Keita is Mali’s greatest soccer product.
The FC Roma player has the most caps (94) and goals (34) for the national team and will play in his seventh (and maybe last) AFCON tournament.
Still, he remains their most important player on the pitch. Whether
they need to go forward and score or sit back and defend, they’ll look
to their versatile legend for leadership.
Emilio Nsue, Equatorial Guinea
The decision to award hosting duties to Equatorial Guinea was a controversial one. The nation was originally barred from qualification for fielding an ineligible player. This has been an ongoing problem for the hosts, as they did the same thing back in 2013.
Middlesborough midfield Emilio Nsue was the player in question that
time around. Watching him, it’s easy to see why they’d want the 25-year
on the field.
The striker opener against Gabon in his side 1-1 draw at the AFCON 2015 shows he certainly has something to offer at this tournament.
Jonathan Pitroipa, Burkina Faso
Voted, man of the tournament at AFCON 2013, Jonathan Pitroipa is one player to watch out for at this year’s tournament.
He was the top goalscorer during 2015 qualifying and while he may not
be “The African Giovinco”, Pitroipa can finish in a myriad of ways.
Fernando Varela, Cape Verde
Speaking of ineligible players, Cape Verde was barred from World Cup qualifying for fielding a player who was still on suspension. That player was Fernando Varela.
The defender scored a crucial equalizer in 2013, which helped Cape
Verde pull off a comeback win. The center back loves to push forward and
attack, but as one of their most experienced defenders, it will also be
up to him to stabilize the Cape Verdean back line.
His experience was probably why they could do without him before being barred.
Tokelo Rantie, South Africa
The super eagles of Nigeria will never forget this name so easy. Tokelo Rantie’s brace in Uyo, dented Nigeria’s chances of defending the trophy they won back in 2013.
South Africa’s most experienced striker Bernard Parker is in the squad, but hasn’t played for the national team since last January. So look for Tokelo Rantie to start up top.
The 24-year old, who plays for Bournemouth in the English
Championship, has made 24 caps since debuting for South Africa in June
2012.
Aymen Abdennour, Tunisia
Tunisia’s defense was stellar during qualifying, allowing just two goals in six matches. Along that stout back line, Aymen Abdennour has the most international caps.
Group B isn’t exactly knows for its attacking options, but should
Tunisia advance, they’ll face one of the previously mentioned Group A
players.
Abdennour’s willingness to throw himself in front of shots will come in handy there.
Bifouma, Congo
Congolese striker, Bifouma is one player to watch out for at AFCON 2015.
The Almeria forward was influential to his side’s qualification to
AFCON 2015 and his equalizer against Equitorial Guinea in their opening
game just shows how much quality Bifouma brings to his team.
Ibrahima Traore, Guinea
Guinea was bounced from the 2013 tournament early, but Ibrahima Traore played his part, a goal and assist in their three matches.
The 26-year old reportedly turned down multiple Premier League offers last December to stay in the Bundesliga.
That’s a shame, considering how many clubs could use his blazing speed on the wing.
Stophira Sunzu, Zambia
AFCON 2012 saw Zambia make an unlikely title run. While the chances of them repeating are slim, some of that team will return to action, including center back Stophira Sunzu, who scored the winning penalty in the final.
This group is characterized by its defenders and Sunzu is right there
with them. There may not be a better aerial ball winner in this
tournament.
Yaya Toure, Ivory Coast
This list wouldn’t be complete without CAF 2014 Best player of the year, Yaya Toure.
The Ivory Coast skipper will be carrying the heavy burden of his team on his shoulder in their quest to finally get it right at AFCON 2015.
The impressive Mancity midfielder and his team mates have come under
serious backlash with many criticizing the team of not being able to win
the AFCON with the current crop of players they possess.
But will Yaya Toure and Ivory Coast finally get it right this time? Time will definitely tell!
Africa Cup of Nations is currently the 3rd most watched football competition in the world in terms of its cumulative TV audience, coming after the FIFA World Cup and the European Nations Championship (Euro).
Crystal Palace’s tricky winger could have represented France or England, but chose DRCongo in 2014.
In qualifying, he scored two goals against Sierra Leone and inspired his team’s 4-3 victory against Côte d’Ivoire with three assists. The 25-year-old Bolasie enjoys taking on players, and if he can link up well with forward Trésor Mputu, their partnership will be formidable.
Dr Congo, Yannick-Bolasie
Eric Choupo-Moting, Cameroon
While Vincent Aboubakar and Stephane M’Bia may be better players for Cameroon, neither can match the current form of Eric Choupo-Moting.
The strong forward has scored ten goals in all competitions since joining Schalke over the summer and netted a hat trick last month against Stuttgart.
Cameroon-Eric-Choupo-Moting
Seydou Keita, Mali
Old war horse, Seydou Keita is Mali’s greatest soccer product.
The FC Roma player has the most caps (94) and goals (34) for the national team and will play in his seventh (and maybe last) AFCON tournament.
Mali, Seydou Keita
Emilio Nsue, Equatorial Guinea
The decision to award hosting duties to Equatorial Guinea was a controversial one. The nation was originally barred from qualification for fielding an ineligible player. This has been an ongoing problem for the hosts, as they did the same thing back in 2013.
Equitorial Guinea,emilo nsue
The striker opener against Gabon in his side 1-1 draw at the AFCON 2015 shows he certainly has something to offer at this tournament.
Jonathan Pitroipa, Burkina Faso
Voted, man of the tournament at AFCON 2013, Jonathan Pitroipa is one player to watch out for at this year’s tournament.
burkina_ faso- Jonathan- pitroipa
Fernando Varela, Cape Verde
Speaking of ineligible players, Cape Verde was barred from World Cup qualifying for fielding a player who was still on suspension. That player was Fernando Varela.
Fernando-Varela, Cape-Verde defender
His experience was probably why they could do without him before being barred.
Tokelo Rantie, South Africa
The super eagles of Nigeria will never forget this name so easy. Tokelo Rantie’s brace in Uyo, dented Nigeria’s chances of defending the trophy they won back in 2013.
South Africa’s most experienced striker Bernard Parker is in the squad, but hasn’t played for the national team since last January. So look for Tokelo Rantie to start up top.
South Africa’s Tokelo rantie
Aymen Abdennour, Tunisia
Tunisia’s defense was stellar during qualifying, allowing just two goals in six matches. Along that stout back line, Aymen Abdennour has the most international caps.
Tunisia, aymen_abdennour
Abdennour’s willingness to throw himself in front of shots will come in handy there.
Bifouma, Congo
Congolese striker, Bifouma is one player to watch out for at AFCON 2015.
Congo, Bifouma
Ibrahima Traore, Guinea
Guinea was bounced from the 2013 tournament early, but Ibrahima Traore played his part, a goal and assist in their three matches.
Guinea, Ibrahima Traore_
That’s a shame, considering how many clubs could use his blazing speed on the wing.
Stophira Sunzu, Zambia
AFCON 2012 saw Zambia make an unlikely title run. While the chances of them repeating are slim, some of that team will return to action, including center back Stophira Sunzu, who scored the winning penalty in the final.
Zambia-Stoppila-Sunzu-
Yaya Toure, Ivory Coast
This list wouldn’t be complete without CAF 2014 Best player of the year, Yaya Toure.
The Ivory Coast skipper will be carrying the heavy burden of his team on his shoulder in their quest to finally get it right at AFCON 2015.
Yaya Toure
But will Yaya Toure and Ivory Coast finally get it right this time? Time will definitely tell!
Africa Cup of Nations is currently the 3rd most watched football competition in the world in terms of its cumulative TV audience, coming after the FIFA World Cup and the European Nations Championship (Euro).
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