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Ed DoveParticular to ESPN
The Africa Cup of Nations stays one of many few main tournaments in world soccer the place gems can nonetheless be unearthed, permitting undiscovered gamers to rework the trajectory of their profession.
Within the match’s historical past, a few of Africa’s hottest skills have used the AFCON as a platform to safe a transfer to European soccer and the riches that may await throughout the Mediterranean.
ESPN remembers 5 African gamers who made the transfer to Europe on the again of a Nations Cup, and profile some rising stars who may observe of their footsteps in 2022.
1. Mark Fish
One among South Africa’s ‘Nation Builders’ in 1996, Fish was nonetheless in his early 20s when he performed a key position alongside Lucas Radebe within the coronary heart of Bafana Bafana’s defence as they defeated Tunisia within the Johannesburg last.
The versatile Fish, who thrived within the AFCON atmosphere — making the Workforce of the Event in each ’96 and ’98 — additionally scored within the quarterfinal victory over Algeria as South Africa loved their historic run to their maiden title.
Manchester United have been within the defender following his performances on dwelling soil, with Crimson Devils legend Sir Bobby Charlton even despatched by the Previous Trafford giants to watch him within the flesh.
Finally, he secured a transfer to Italian giants Lazio on the again of the Nations Cup, though he did go on to function within the Premier League with each Bolton Wanderers and Charlton Athletic.
“[Sir Alex Ferguson] needed to me to coach with [Man United] and see how I tailored to the environment,” Fish later remembered, chatting with the Bolton News.
“The individuals representing me did not say no, however they stated we have been below obligation to go to Lazio.
“We did and the coach there was Zdenek Zeman, and he needed to signal me right away. Manchester or Rome at 21 years outdated? It is probably not a alternative.”
2. Julius Aghahowa
Then 17, Aghahowa was the breakout star of the 2000 AFCON, the place Nigeria reached the ultimate on dwelling soil.
The wonderkid struck late in a group-stage victory over Morocco, however his most interesting hour sport within the quarterfinal, when he got here off the bench to internet twice in a 2-1 extra-time victory over Senegal in Lagos.
It was an unforgettable impression from {the teenager} — and one in every of Nigeria’s most memorable AFCON performances this century — and the somersaulting Aghahowa appeared to have the world at his ft.
Regardless of amassing 32 Tremendous Eagles caps, this was in the end nearly as good because it bought for the striker, who nonetheless secured a transfer to Ukraine giants Shakhtar Donetsk on the again of his performances on the Nations Cup.
He loved nice success in Ukraine, profitable 4 titles in his six-year spell with the Miners earlier than transferring on to Wigan Athletic for a season.
READ: ESPN’s High 10 male African footballers of 2021
3. Islam Slimani
The 2013 Nations Cup was a depressing expertise for Algeria, who completed backside of Group D — taking only one level from their three fixtures — and have been eradicated ignominiously.
Slimani led the road for the Fennecs for all three fixtures, and whereas hitting the woodwork in opposition to Tunisia was the closest he bought to a purpose through the match, three objectives in three qualifiers was sufficient to get him observed by a few of Europe’s heavyweights.
Later within the yr, he departed CR Belouizdad for Portuguese giants Sporting Lisbon to start each a goal-laden spell within the Primeira Liga and a profitable decade in European soccer.
Throughout the following three years, he bagged 48 objectives in 82 Portuguese prime flight fixtures and, now enjoying for Lyon, heads into the 2021 Nations Cup as Algeria’s all-time prime scorer.
4. Amr Zaki
Ex-Tottenham Hotspur supervisor David Pleat commented through the 2006 Nations Cup that Egypt striker Zaki caught his eye and had “all of the qualities to do an excellent job subsequent season for a membership on the decrease finish of the Premiership.”
Certainly, Zaki was excellent because the Pharaohs received the primary of their three-in-a-row African titles, netting an 81st-minute winner in opposition to Senegal within the semifinal earlier than changing his spot kick within the last shootout victory over the Ivory Coast.
The powerhouse — nicknamed the Bulldozer for his ‘remedy’ of opposition defenders — was wanted by Ligue 1 aspect Nantes and home giants Al-Ahly and SC Zamalek on the again of his performances within the AFCON, however in the end opted to signal for Russians Lokomotiv Moscow.
That swap did not work out, however Zaki later did show Pleat proper by netting 10 in 29 Prem outings on mortgage at Wigan Athletic together with 5 in his first six matches of the 2008-09 season.
The spotlight was a double in opposition to Liverpool, though issues turned bitter within the spring, as Zaki didn’t return to Lancashire after a global break and promptly fell out with head coach Steve Bruce.
5. Sunday Mba
The late Stephen Keshi saved religion with a few of Nigeria’s native stars for the Tremendous Eagles’ 2013 Nations Cup marketing campaign, choosing six NPFL gamers in his squad.
Some featured extra prominently than others through the West African giants’ run to the title, with all other than third-choice goalkeeper Chigozie Agbim getting a chance to check themselves in European soccer within the aftermath of the match.
Mba was the breakout star of the match, netting winners in opposition to the Ivory Coast within the quarterfinal and Burkina Faso within the last.
A swap to Europe was inevitable, though contractual disputes in his homeland in the end led to an extended delay earlier than he in the end switched to French soccer with CA Bastia.
Whereas Warri Wolves obtained €1 million for the AFCON hero, Mba’s delay in transferring to Europe — and his interval of inactivity — in the end led to a loss in his momentum, and he by no means once more really recreated the magic of his match exhibiting.
He was already out of the Tremendous Eagles reckoning by the point of their World Cup 2014 marketing campaign, and he is been out of labor since leaving Yeni Malatyaspor in his late 20s.
Who may observe of their footsteps?
Heading into the 2021 Nations Cup, there are a number of Africa-based gamers who can harbour reasonable hopes of capitalising on a robust match exhibiting to seal a transfer to Europe.
Set to line up alongside Mohamed Salah when Egypt tackle Nigeria of their AFCON opener on January 11, Mohamed Sherif ought to get European scouts purring.
The 25-year-old had a hand in 39 objectives this yr, prime scoring in each the CAF Champions League and the Egyptian prime flight. He is additionally a giant sport participant as nicely, having opened the scoring in opposition to Kaizer Chiefs in Ahly’s CAF CL last success in July.
Two different Ahly gamers — Morocco’s Badr Benoun and Senegal’s Aliou Dieng — must also pique the curiosity of travelling scouts, with each taking their sport to new heights below Pitso Mosimane within the Egyptian capital.
He faces stiff competitors for sport time, however Karim Konate of Ivory Coast appears to be one thing particular. The 17-year-old, at present on the books of ASEC Mimosas, has scored seven objectives in six matches in CAF competitions this time period, and it could be fascinating to see himself examined in opposition to a few of Africa’s sternest defences.
Ethiopia midfielder Gatoch Panom is again in his homeland after time in Saudi Arabia and Egypt, and nonetheless has one thing to supply at a better stage, having failed in Russia earlier in his profession.
Not strictly Africa-based, however Youcef Belaili — at present with no membership — is one participant who might be hoping to lastly safe a return to Europe on the again of one other sturdy match exhibiting.
He was one in every of Algeria’s stars on the final Nations Cup, however with European golf equipment largely wanting the opposite means, he opted to signal for Saudi membership Al-Ahli.
Now he is obtainable once more, having come to the top of a short spell with Qatar SC, and at 29, may have one last alternative to make his mark within the European sport.