AllSports Editor Godfred Akoto Boafo looks at the names that have shaped the AFCON so far, for both good and bad reasons.
Tops
Ibrahima Traore (Guinea) – Equatorial Guinea’s AFCON will be remembered as the one where Guinea’s biggest talent showed his true worth.The diminutive number 8 was one of the best players in qualifying but took his game to a whole new level during the first round as he pushed his team in a difficult group D.Masterful dribbling, inventive,charisma and a hammer of a left foot [just ask Ghana in qualifying and Cameroon in the group stages] put him head and shoulders ahead of his peers inspite of his lack of a physical presence. If he continues like this,Stuttgart will not be a big enough playground for him.
Felipe Ovono (Gabon) – Not as famous as his namesake across the border in Gabon but that has not prevented the young goalkeeper from putting in some game saving performances for the hosts.His point blank save from an Aubameyang header was the save of the round and was a one man wall against Burkina Faso.He could share this space with Cameroon’s young phenom Fabrice Ondoa but to move from Deportivo Mongomo to such a high level of performance puts Ovono tops.
Ahmed Akaichi (Tunisia) – The Esperance man has brought the goals for a Tunisian team that has looked solid but blunt in front of goal.Akaichi has benefitted from the guile and industry of the team’s star Yassine Chikhaoui to emerge as the team’s main threat. Scored a poacher’s goal in the final group game against DR Congo that encapsulated all his game is about.
Daniel Amartey (Ghana) – Not many had heard of the FC Copenhagen defender even though he came close to signing for Liverpool in 2013 but has become the break out star of Ghana’s progress into the quarter finals.A calm,confident presence at the rear,Amartey marries a superb reading of situations with a mean eye for a pass.His partnership with Jonathan Mensah has more balance,making Ghana a hard proposition to break down.Watch Ghana’s defensive performance against Algeria and you will understand what he is all about .
Emilio Nsue (Equitorial Guinea) – A former member of Spain’s dominate under 21 team,the Ebebiyin native is a recent member of the Nzalang National but has already been named captain. Primarily a full back in club football,he has served as his team’s main creative hub in their run to the quarter finals and scored the first goal of the AFCON in his home country.
Flops
Gervinho (Ivory Coast) – Was playing out of his skin against Mali until a moment of madness landed him on this list.Gervais Yao Kouassi hit out at a player and was sent off,robbing the Elephants of Cote d’ Ivoire of their major offensive weapon for two games.It was very obvious his ability to create spaces with his running was sorely missed as the Elephants struggled to break down Guinea and Mali.
Sadio Mane (Senegal) -Was tipped as Senegal’s main threat until he was reported side lined with an injury.Senegal coach Alain Giresse still picked him as Mane recovered to play against South Africa and Algeria to zero effect.Looked shorn of his pace and guile and looked like a player who was protecting himself from aggravating his injury.Cost Senegal with his presence more than they will care to admit.
Yaya Toure (Ivory Coast) – Four time African Footballer of the year he may be but he was not the best player on his own team in the first round.Too many games passed him by as he struggled to impose himself .Staring the end of a disappointing international career,Toure looked disinterested at best and was even subbed a full hour into a game.Normally unheard of for the player heralded as the best on the continent.
Jordan Ayew (Ghana) – The younger Ayew was a frustrating figure for the Black Stars.After a solid opening game where he led the line in the absence of Asamoah Gyan and showed signs of maturity,he slipped into his norma routine against Algeria and South Africa.Poor decision making,running into cul de sacs and selfish play marred his performances.General feeling it is not just the fans who are running out of patience with a lad with such talent.
Pierre Emerick Aubameyang (Gabon) – The captain of Gabon is another who got caught up in his own stardom as the Panthers failed to progress from a reasonable group .Glimpses of his talent was all too fleeting and in the end ineffectual for a team that needed him at full throttle.Looked disappointed with himself after the 2-0 loss to neighbours Equatorial Guinea and rightly so.
Notable Mentions [Flops] : Eric Choupo Moting (Cameroon) , Wilfred Bony (Ivory Coast)
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