Scramble For Africa
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With the World Cup being held in South Africa, and a total of six African sides competing, we are going to look at who has performed particularly well so far. With South Africa, Nigeria, Cameroon and Algeria each bottom of their groups, and the Ivory Coast likely to finish third, there is very little time to look for African talent though.
Ghana were excellent in their opening win over Serbia, however stuttered against the Socceroos the other day. But despite this, Asamoah Gyan has been a stand-out performer.
Two goals from two games - two penalties at that - has been just reward for the powerful striker who plies his trade in France for Rennes. Tipped by this site before the games started, Gyan has started as well as anyone for a Ghana side that sit atop Group D, with a fantastic game against Germany on the horizon.
Gyan is just 25 years old and there may be a couple of British clubs eyeing the big forward as a relatively cheap option up front. Relative, that is, if he stops scoring. He currently sits second in the Top Scorer category and looks the Ghanaians main hope for progressing.
Cameroon have crashed out already, having lost to Japan and Denmark, however the fashion with which they played the latter game will have caught the eye of a few managers.
Boosted by a fantastic ninety minutes of football from Samuel Eto’o, another performer in that game was Stephane Mbia, a Marseilles defender. While Eto’o will hardly be affordable for anyone beyond a handful of clubs around the world, Mbia offers a physical, pacey and aggressive option in defence.
Mbia can play in a number of positions, however his ability to fill the right-back role as well as central defence is certainly something clubs will be noting. Cameroon’s final game against the Dutch will be a tough one. If Mbia is to prove his worth, he must be able to hold out the attacking threat of a side tipped to go all the way - and cement his reputation on the world stage.
Our final performer on this list of three is Gervinho. The Ivory Coast need to spank the North Koreans by a minimum of eight goals if they are to hold any chance of overtaking Portugal in Group G, and along with Didier Drogba and Solomon Kalou, Gervinho will be integral to their hopes.
A host of Premiership clubs are said to be monitoring the Ivorian - who plays in France for Lille - including Mick McCarthy’s Wolves. Enjoying good pace, he has shown some great moments of skill when required in both the draw with Portugal and the entertaining defeat to the Brazillians. Can play as a winger or as a striker, coming in at under the 10million euro mark, Gervinho requires some attention in the final group game on Friday.
Ghana were excellent in their opening win over Serbia, however stuttered against the Socceroos the other day. But despite this, Asamoah Gyan has been a stand-out performer.
Two goals from two games - two penalties at that - has been just reward for the powerful striker who plies his trade in France for Rennes. Tipped by this site before the games started, Gyan has started as well as anyone for a Ghana side that sit atop Group D, with a fantastic game against Germany on the horizon.
Gyan is just 25 years old and there may be a couple of British clubs eyeing the big forward as a relatively cheap option up front. Relative, that is, if he stops scoring. He currently sits second in the Top Scorer category and looks the Ghanaians main hope for progressing.
Cameroon have crashed out already, having lost to Japan and Denmark, however the fashion with which they played the latter game will have caught the eye of a few managers.
Boosted by a fantastic ninety minutes of football from Samuel Eto’o, another performer in that game was Stephane Mbia, a Marseilles defender. While Eto’o will hardly be affordable for anyone beyond a handful of clubs around the world, Mbia offers a physical, pacey and aggressive option in defence.
Mbia can play in a number of positions, however his ability to fill the right-back role as well as central defence is certainly something clubs will be noting. Cameroon’s final game against the Dutch will be a tough one. If Mbia is to prove his worth, he must be able to hold out the attacking threat of a side tipped to go all the way - and cement his reputation on the world stage.
Our final performer on this list of three is Gervinho. The Ivory Coast need to spank the North Koreans by a minimum of eight goals if they are to hold any chance of overtaking Portugal in Group G, and along with Didier Drogba and Solomon Kalou, Gervinho will be integral to their hopes.
A host of Premiership clubs are said to be monitoring the Ivorian - who plays in France for Lille - including Mick McCarthy’s Wolves. Enjoying good pace, he has shown some great moments of skill when required in both the draw with Portugal and the entertaining defeat to the Brazillians. Can play as a winger or as a striker, coming in at under the 10million euro mark, Gervinho requires some attention in the final group game on Friday.
About Gordon Hunt
Gordon Hunt is one of extratime's Dublin based reporters. Having worked with the site since it's inception, Gordon's name is carved into the foundations of extratime's tower block. View Full Profile