Now that the Super Bowl is over, sports fanatics have turned their interest abroad as the 29th Africa Cup of Nations takes place, showcasing the best in African football (or as we call it in the States, soccer). From Mali to Ghana to Nigeria to Cape Verde—and several other countries as well—we’ve rounded up a list of top players to watch this year, whose talents prove they are a force to be reckoned with
1. Emmanuel Emenike: Helping lead his team to the finals for the first time in 13 years after Wednesday’s win against Mali, Emenike proves to be one of Nigeria’s strongest players. Thus far he’s scored 4 goals in the competition, proving to be a beast on the field and a leading scorer at AFCON.
(Images: File)
2. Seydou Keita: Considered one of Mali’s biggest contenders on the field, Keita, who’s on his sixth appearance at AFCON, is a true veteran in the game. Despite not being able to help his team pull through against Nigeria, Keita has 70 caps for Mali under his belt.
3. Jonathan Pitroipa: Scoring the winning goal against Togo last Sunday that led his team to the semi-finals, Pitroipa is showing why teams should respect he and his fellow Burkina Faso teammates. Having already appeared at AFCON twice, and with 2 goals thus far in the competition, it’s no wonder Burkina Faso is fighting to get the penalty that Pitroipa received in Wednesday’s game against Ghana overturned so that he can play in the upcoming Johannesburg final against Nigeria.
4. Mubarak Wakaso: In a match-up against Cape Verde, Wakaso led Ghana to a victory and into the semi-finals, having scored two goals in one game. Scoring his fourth goal in his teams lost against Burkina Faso, Wakaso has joined the list of top scorers for the 2013 AFCON.
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