Impact Players at the 2015 AFCON
The following players have made this tournament their treading ground by displaying touches of magic that can get European clubs chasing for their signatures.
1. Gervinho , Côte d’Ivoire
After being a flop at Arsenal, Gervinho has rediscovered his electrifying pace and eye for goal at Roma. Under the guidance of manager Rudi Garcia, the 27-year-old forward has become a force to fear thanks to his dribbling skills. With Didier Drogba now retired from international football and Yaya Touré experiencing a dip in form on last season, Gervinho will be all the more important for Les Eléphants.
2. 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.
3. Jonathan Pitroipa, Burkina Faso
Named the Player of the Tournament at AFCON 2013, Pitroipa has lost none of the verve that saw him torment defenders, scoring six goals in qualifying. Quick on the turn, skilled and mesmeric, Pitroipa is coming into his own as a winger and will carry the weight of Les Etalons’ expectations on his shoulders.
By Farai Diza