YAYA toure
His lungbursting goals from the centre stage as well as long hustle for ball passing earned him ‘human train’. At 31, mid-fielder, Gnégnéri Yaya Touré of Les Éléphants, brother to team mate Kolo Toure, is on FIFA WC squad 3rd time in a row. He is your ‘African Footballer of the year’ since past three years. Playing with no.19 on, Yaya’s physical prowess refuses to be shadowed by the game’s usual favorites, ‘Forwards’. Check Twitter jokes viz. Originally from Bouke, Ivory Coast, Yaya has had a brilliant international career with six leagues before joining current premier league Manchester City in 2010. Going by his team’s win over Japan, Yaya attacks and does everything in the middle of that bright green!
Gervinho
Getting lucky with jersey no. ‘10’, this Ivory Coast forward winger scurried two goals of the four that his side could score, this WC. Twenty-seven year old Gervais Yao Kouassi was born in Ivory Coast’s suburb, Anyama amidst extreme poverty – his is a classic rags-to-riches story. His power-dribble and head-hit match winner goal at 66th minute against Japan, have granted him stardom at FIFA. What’s striking about him? His jazzy locks, that compliment his nickname ‘Gervinho’, given by his former Brazilian coach. Club Roma's favoured forward scored as a substitute twice in his debut at WC, in 2010. He has also been a captain of CIV’s U21 team and seems to be an inspiration to numerous soccer soaked folks back home.
Andre Ayew
This Marseille attacker is currently at his prime and oh, jersey no.10’s luck saga continues with this man as well! André Morgan Rami Ayew, was born in Seclin, France on 17 December 1989, in a star-studded football family (he is the son of Abedi Pele: three-time winner of the African Football of the Year award). The left winger proved this worth by getting a goal each in the first two matches this WC, but missed out qualifying one. Andre rose above a static German defense to head past Manuel Neuer in the 54th minute, in a pulsating 2-2 match. Starting his career at 14, Ayew comes with early bird gains on technique. His 30 appearances in International matches come with a goal tally of 10. His aggression is Ghana’s bling.
Islam Slimani
This striker has done for Algeria what no one has ever done! The 26 year old head-butted this African side to QFs, crushing Russian dreams with an equaliser at the 60th minute in their qualifying match. And in doing so, carried forward what he started by netting the opening goal against South Korea, in his first ever WC match. Jersey no 13 also demonstrated sharpness in assisting, as he supported Abdelmoumene Djabou in securing 2nd goal soon after he did, locking his sides bright prospects. Islam Slimani has the knack, he gets the ball to the net – his formidable form is a good omen for Les Fennecs, as they will certainly need his agility as they go on from the groups.
Vincent Enyeama
As World cup keeps uncannily bringing Argentina and Nigeria F2F, Mr SafeHands was asked if he was scared of facing Messi, when he quipped ‘To tell you the truth I’m never afraid of footballers’. Vincent Enyeama, the chillaxed 31 year old is undeniably Nigeria's spine. Entire team leans on its Kaduna born goalie. Considered a shoot-out dud, in 2010 world cup, he determinedly emerged as Nigeria’s shootout hero at the quarter-final stage, saving from Zambia’s Thomas Nyrienda and netting the winning kick himself. The Ligue 1 player has 21 clean sheets in his 37 league
appearances. It’s Vincent’s 3rd time at WC, and he has successfully saved on the team to QF!