If there is one thing that the continent Africa is known for, it is football! It is filled with abundantly talented lads. From the green pas...
If there is one thing that the continent Africa is known for, it is football! It is filled with abundantly talented lads.
From the green pastures of the west to the north and the beautiful terrain of the south and east, Africa boasts of exceptional football talents.
This has led us to compile a shortlist of the brightest prospects from Africa that may become future world stars. Here are seven players that we think can be big success in the future.
8. Victor Wanyama
This 23 year old Kenyan has amazed everyone with his athletic qualities and football talent. He plays as a defensive midfielder and he has been praised severally for his physical style of play.
Wanyama became the first Kenyan to play in the English premier league when he completed his transfer from Celtic FC to Southampton F.C a year ago. Wanyama is the captain of the Kenyan national team and a lot is expected from him in the near future.
7.Bertrand Traore
A lot has been said about this young lad in recent times for the potentials he showed at a very young age.
Bertrand became the youngest player to feature in a continental qualifier match at just 17 for the Burkinabè. Traore plays for Chelsea F.C and is currently on loan to Vitesse Arnhem in Holland.
Jose Mourinho described him as an exciting prospect and could become a world class midfielder in the future.
6. Youssef M'sakni
This talented midfielder is one of the bright prospects to emerge from the desert nation of Tunisia. Often likened to Ronaldo for his dribbling exploits, M,sakni burst onto the scene with the Desert Foxes at AFCON 2011.
He was courted by several top European teams before opting to join Lekhwiya SC of Qatar due to Arabic connections. It is yet to be seen if M'sakni will fulfill potential already 24.
5. Serge Aurier
Serge Aurier has been touted for great things, at just 21 he is a regular for the Ivorian national side.
Serge possesses great athletic qualities, a hard tackler and a dangerous weapon going forward. Aurier has earned praises for his ability to deliver excellent crosses, he plays at right back on loan at PSG from his parent club Toulouse in France.
4. Christian Atsu
Of course we have all heard about him from his exploits during Ghana short run at the World Cup this year in Brazil. I talked about the qualities of this young man in my preview of Ghana prior to the showdown.
This diminutive attacker likes to play on the right or left of attack and possess great abilities for his age, Atsu is currently on loan at Everton F.C from Chelsea in England.
3. Kenneth Omeruo
It is hard to believe that 6"1 tall Omeruo is already a regular for Nigeria at just 20. Having passed through all the age grades of the National teams, Kenneth is one of few center backs with so much experience at such a young age.
Of all the players on this list, Omeruo stands out. Already fulfilling his potentials and showing the world his defensive prowess. He is one his second stint on loan at Middleborough from his parent club Chelsea.
2. Mohammed Salah
Mohammed Ghaly Salah has already made a name for himself at the world stage for his exploits in Europe.
Born and bred in Egypt, he played in Egypt before signing for Swiss side Basel in 2012. CAF named him the Most Promising African Talent that year and he won the SAFP Golden Award for best player in the league the following year.
At just 22, the exciting winger is a regular for the Pharaohs scoring six goals in 2013 AFCON qualifiers. Salah plays with Chelsea in England.
1. Kelechi Iheanacho
His name is on everyone's lips, He is a young prodigy, due to his abilities to play in any role attack. Iheanacho who finished top scorer of the recent Under 17 World Cup with six goals, and also won the tournament with the Golden Eaglets has been touted by many to be the next 'big thing' from our continent.
Voted CAF Most Promising African Talent this year, Iheanacho has been banging goals for his English side Manchester City F.C in their pre-season games.
Considering the fact that he is just 17, I am sure this young lad will not join the list of talents who never made their make at the biggest stage.
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