With African involvement in the 2014 World Cup having ended on Monday night after defeats for Nigeria and Algeria in the last 16, AfricanFootball picks five standout players from the continent who shone – albeit briefly – in Brazil.
Gervinho (Cote d’Ivoire)
It may have been a bitterly disappointing World Cup for Cote d’Ivoire, but the way Gervinho stepped up to the mark as their most effective attacking player is a definite silver lining. Two goals – one of them the winning strike against Japan, the other a brilliant solo effort against Colombia – and an assist underlines his importance to the Elephants. His teammate Serge Aurier also deserves a special mention.
Vincent
Enyeama (Nigeria)
Arguably the best goalkeeper of the whole tournament – never mind just the five African teams – it is so sad that Enyeama’s only notable mistake was such a costly one, allowing France’s Paul Pogba to swing the evenly-balanced last 16 tie in Les Bleus’ favour when the ‘keeper was unable to get a clean punch on a corner kick. Despite this, Enyeama was magnificent between the sticks for Nigeria and has done nothing but enhance his reputation.
Ahmed Musa (Nigeria)
While Emmanuel Emenike was a powerful front-runner for Nigeria, fellow attacker Ahmed Musa proved more deadly in front of goal and netted twice in their 3-2 defeat to Argentina, becoming the first Nigeria to score more than once in a World Cup match. Though the 21-year-old was unable to offer the same kind of threat against France, he has given notice to the world of his immense potential and he will surely shine again for the Super Eagles in years to come.
Andre Ayew (Ghana)
Andre Ayew edges out teammate Asamoah Gyan to get onto this list because he offered Ghana so much more than the two goals he scored in the tournament (against USA and Germany). The 24-year-old has become a real leader for the Black Stars and his feisty character shone through in 2014. He’s now adding goals to his all-round midfield game and is on course to become one of Africa’s finest players.
Islam Slimani (Algeria)
Many of the Algerian squad enhanced their reputation in Brazil, but the real turning point for Vahid Halihodzic’s side was when Islam Slimani was picked to play up front against Korea. He missed a couple of early chances, but after opening the scoring and then providing an assist for his team’s third goal, he simply never looked back and put in magnificent efforts as the Fennec Foxes’ leading man in attack.
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