Five to watch: Africa
James Delaney (OR)
With the world cup now less than two months away, we're taking a look at some of the players who could have a big impact in Brazil.
Our search kicks off with a player from each one of the five African nations who will be represented this summer:
Majeed Waris (Ghana)
The man tipped to be the Black Stars secret weapon in Brazil has been the surprise package in Ligue 1 this season. Arriving at Spartak Moscow last summer following a blistering two years in the Swedish league, Waris found first team opportunities hard to come by and was loaned out to Valenciennes in January. His goals at the northern French side have almost single handedly lifted them to within just a few points of safety. He isn’t the biggest, but with lightning pace and superb finishing ability, Waris could be the man to guide the Ghanaians through a tough group.
Yacine Brahimi (Algeria)
While Nabil Bentaleb has had a breakthrough season with Tottenham in the Premier league, over in Spain his international teammate Brahimi has quietly been carving out a good reputation as a creative midfield player. While his club, Granada, aren’t enjoying the greatest of seasons, Brahimi has been able to create a prominent strike partnership with Moroccan Youssef El-Arabi. Most comfortable playing just in behind the striker, Brahimi’s performances, especially against Barcelona earlier in the campaign, have led to scouting by both Arsenal and PSG. If Algeria are to progress this summer, Brahimi will be an essential part of their squad.
Serge Aurier (Ivory Coast)
It’s nearly impossible to find a major European club that hasn’t been linked with the right back over the last year. A string of impressive performances for club side Toulouse has seen Aurier scouted by everyone from Arsenal to Real Madrid. It seems inevitable then that he will leave the French club in the summer, and what better way for Aurier to showcase his obvious talent than with a strong world cup. With pace to burn, Aurier is unlikely to be caught out at the back, and makes up for a lack of height with superior tackling ability. The Ivorian could prove to be one of the breakout stars in Brazil.
Imoh Ezekiel (Nigeria)
After a shambolic 2010 World Cup campaign in which the Super Eagles didn’t manage to win once, Nigeria will be looking to perform much better in Brazil, and with breakout stars such as Imoh Ezekiel, that record shouldn’t be too difficult to beat. Ezekiel has been banging them in for Belgian side Standard Liege this season, taking his record for the club to 30 goals in 62 matches. Widely rumoured to be on his way to bigger and better things this summer, Ezekiel will hope to use the World Cup to show just how capable a striker he is. While a lot stronger than he looks, Ezekiel is quick and can finish, which should make him a handful for any defence in the world.
Nicolas N’Koulou (Cameroon)
Cameroon’s recent world cup fortunes have been similar to that of the Nigerians, missing out completely in 2006 and ending their 2010 campaign without a victory. A lot of criticism has been directed towards The Indomitable Lions’ ageing and leaky defence but in N’Koulou they may have a solution to the problem. Still only 23, (seriously, we checked) N’Koulou already has 36 caps under his belt and experience of playing against some of European football’s big boys in the Champions League with Marseille. Strong, and surprisingly agile for his size, N’Koulou’s performances have attracted a lot of attention from across Europe. The Cameroonians have a tough group in Brazil, but N’Koulou should rise to the challenge.