2015 AFCON's seek heating rookies
AfricanFootball.com takes a look at the biggest prospects awaiting us at the 2015 Africa Cup.
Here, in no particular order, are the rookies we believe will shine in Equatorial Guinea.
Solomon Asante
Nationality: Ghana Position: Midfielder DOB: 06/03/1990 Club: TP Mazembe (DR Congo)
Probably the Black Stars’ secret weapon at the 2015 Africa Cup, Asante finally gets a chance to show his talent on the big stage.His pace and dribbling skills have made him the heart and soul at his DR Congo league champions TP Mazembe and now all of Africa will have an opportunity to see Ghana’s best kept secret.
Neeskens Kebano
Nationality: DR Congo Position: Midfielder DOB: 10/03/1992 Club: Charleroi (Belgium)
The 22-year-old ex-France Under-21 attacking midfielder switched nationality in October. Kebano's aggression and pace made him an instant hit and marked a memorable debut with a goal in DR Congo's 4-3 win over Cote d'Ivoire on October 15 in Abidjan.
Sibusiso Vilakazi Nationality: South Africa Position: Midfielder/Striker DOB: 29/12/1989 Club: Bidvest Wits (RSA)
Vilakazi has shown immense promise, scoring two goals from the bench in Bafana Bafana's 3-0 Group B qualifier win against Sudan last September. He showed his potential again with his eye for goal this week with the equaliser in the side’s 1-1 friendly draw away to Cameroon on January 10 and another in a 3-0 win over Mali on Wednesday.
Sylvain Gbohouo Nationality: Cote d'Ivoire Position: Goalkeeper DOB: 28/10/1988 Club: Sewe Sport(Cote d'Ivoire)
Gbohouo has not disappointed since filling the big shoes of first choice Boubacar Barry after The Elephants 4-3 home loss to DR Congo on October 15 and has cemented his position after keeping a clean sheet in The Elephants scoreless draw against Cameroon in their final group qualifier.
Kara Mbodj Nationality: Senegal Position: Defender DOB:11/11/1989 Club: Genk (Belgium)
Mbodj’s defence during his watch during the 2015 qualifiers conceded just one goal that also saw him score a goal in Senegal’s 3-0 home win over Botswana.He was also been an ever-present figure in Senegal’s backline in the 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifiers. Newcastle United and Glasgow Celtic are closely tracking the 2012 Olympian. Mbodj reached the last eight in London two year ago with the Senegal Under-23 team.
Joseph Fabrice Ondoa Nationality: Cameroon Position: Goalkeeper DOB: 24/12/1995 Club: Barcelona II (Spain)
The 19-year-old is embarking on the path once taken by iconic goalkeepers like N'kono and Songo’o after making the highly-revered Indomitable Lions’ number one jersey his own throughout the 2015 qualifiers conceding just one goal. Ondoa has been tipped as the most promising prospect at the 2015 tournament.
Yacine Brahimi Nationality: Algeria Position: Midfielder DOB: 08/02/1990 Club: Porto (Portugal)
The highly talented midfielder has been a hit for both club in the UEFA Champions League at Porto and country Algeria in 2014. In the 2015 qualifiers, Brahimi scored three goals in five games. Overall, Brahimi has scored four goals with 14 caps.
The ex-France Under-21 is already receiving accolades thick and fast in his young Algerian career. In 2014, he bagged the CAF Most Promising Player Award, won the BBC 2014 African Player gong to add to his best African player in LA Liga honour he picked up in the 2013-14 season while at Granada.
Wahbi Khazri Nationality: Tunisia Position: Striker DOB:08/02/1991 Club: Bordeaux (France)
Khazri is one of three 2015 Africa Cup prospects from France Under-21 class of 2013 together with DR Congo's Neeskens Kebano and Algeria’s Yacine Brahimi. The midfielder scored two out of Tunisia's six goals in the Group G qualifiers. Khazri has six goals in 13 caps with Tunisia to date.
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