Once again it is time to
generate debate and stir up some controversy as
usual with my own views on which players I
think should make up a good starting eleven for
the African continent over the year 2013.
May I stress that I could be totally wrong, but
what you are about to read is what I observed as
a football journalist over the year 2013.
This article is actually inspired by my colleague
and friend Jerry Kwame Ayensu, who asked me
to discuss this very topic and on Friday January 3
2014, you might see me on GTV Stage Africa
discussing my choices.
Controversially, even though Didier Drogba was
nominated for the African Player of the Year
award, he doesn’t make it onto my selection, and
whilst African champions Nigeria dominate the
team, Ghana has only one representative and
there is a player from Mali as well.
I am using a fluid 4-2-3-1 formation that can
easily translate into a 4-4-2 system in making this
selection.
Goalkeeper: Vincent Enyeama (Nigeria)
The Lille goalkeeper has gotten better and better
as the years have gone by and he was a major
reason why the Super Eagles won the African
Nations Cup. His agility, cat like reflexes and
excellent anticipation saw him earn the number
one spot at Lille, where his exploits have seen the
Ligue 1 side embark on an excellent run. To be
honest, he has been one of Africa’s top goalies
over the last three years and for me, he is the best
goalkeeper on the continent now.
Right Back: Ahmed Fathi (Egypt)
Even though he is a veteran with both Al Ahly
and the Pharoahs, Ahmed Fathy has maintained
superb performance levels over the years. Even
though he can also play in midfield, his biggest
asset is bombing down the right and he is a very
good crosser of the ball as well. He also is steely
in the tackle and he has been consistent over the
last few years. Even though Egypt failed to
qualify for the World Cup, his efforts for the
Pharaohs were easy to see and indeed, he helped
Al Ahly to another CAF Champions League
triumph.
Centre back: Nicolas N’koulou (Cameroon)
The Marseille defender is vastly underrated, but
after bursting onto the international scene as a
callow teenager at the 2010 World Cup,
N’Koulou hasn’t looked back. He has grown into
a mature reader of the game and at 23, he is
already a leader at the back for the Indomitable
Lions. His input gave Cameroon one of the best
defences in the African World Cup qualifying
series and he is a major reason why Cameroon
will take part in the 2014 World Cup. He is
strong in the tackle and excellent in playing the
ball out of defence as well.
Centre back: Geoffrey Oboabona (Nigeria)
From the relative obscurity of the Nigerian
Premier League, the defender played his heart out
for Sunshine Stars and Oboabona’s breakthrough
eventually came after Stephen Keshi was
appointed head coach of Nigeria. Keshi noticed
him and took him to the 2013 African Nations
Cup. After team captain Joseph Yobo performed
below par in the first game against Burkina Faso,
Keshi replaced him with Oboabona and the move
paid dividends. Oboabona formed an excellent
defensive partnership with Kenneth Omeruo and
that helped in landing the Super Eagles the title.
Oboabona has not looked back since then and
after koving to Turkey in the summer, his efforts
also helped Nigeria qualify for the 2014 World
Cup. He is aggressive and strong in the challenge
and for me, he has been one of the best defenders
from Africa this season.
Left back: Adama Tamboura (Mali)
Tamboura was undoubtedly one of Mali’s
standout stars at the 2013 African Nations Cup
tournament where the Eagles placed third after
beating Ghana 3-1 in the third place match. The
Randers FC defender has been one of the most
consistent African left backs over the last few
years and even though his efforts failed to help
Mali qualify for the World Cup, you would be
hard pressed to get a better left back than
Tamboura at least over the course of 2013.
Holding midfielder: John Obi Mikel (Nigeria)
He was one of the major reasons why Nigeria
won the 2013 African Nations Cup with his
performances in the middle of the park. Even
though he has evolved from a dribbling attacking
midfielder into a holding midfielder, he has
become one of the best in his position in the
world, never mind Africa. He also helped
Chelsea win the Europa League and he proved
Keshi’s most important player as the Super
Eagles qualified for the 2014 World Cup. Little
wonder that he has been shortlisted for the 2013
African player of the year award by the
Confederation of African Football (CAF)
Central midfielder: Yaya Toure (Cote D’ivoire)
Without a doubt, the box-to-box midfielder is one
of the best players in the world at the moment,
especially in his position and he is virtually
undroppable for both Manchester City and Cote
d’Ivoire. I believe that he would win the African
Player of the Year award for a third consecutive
time and indeed he has already won BBC’s
version of the award. He has the ability to ghost
into goal scoring positions, as well as the ability
to track back and protect the back four. He is also
a deadly set piece specialist, and he is on course
to be one of the stars of the show in Brazil.
Right Attack: Mohammed Salah (Egypt)
The Basel winger has become one of Africa’s
most lethal attacking talents and 2013 was a good
year for the Egypt international. His ability to cut
in from the right and score goals reminds many of
a younger Lionel Messi playing in the same
position for Barcelona a few years back. He
proved a vital outlet of goals as Egypt stormed
into the final World Cup qualifying phase with
six straight wins. Even though the Pharaohs
ultimately failed to make it to Brazil, there is no
doubt that Salah has been the team’s breakout star
and should he continue in this manner, he is a
candidate for a future African Player of the Year
award.
Player in the ‘hole’/second striker: Asamoah
Gyan (Ghana)
It was indeed a masterstroke by Ghana’s head
coach Kwesi Appiah to play the Al Ain forward
in behind a lead striker in the course of the World
Cup qualifiers and the Black Stars captain
responded with crucial goals that eventually
helped Ghana win a ticket to Brazil. Gyan’s
game intelligence, his eye for a pass and his
ability to make central defenders work mark him
out as the best player in the ‘hole’ in Africa in my
opinion. I may be Ghanaian, but I thought he
should have been nominated ahead of Didier
Drogba for the 2013 African player of the Year
awards. Nevertheless, he remains Ghana’s most
important player and deservedly takes his place in
my opinionated starting eleven.
Left Attack: Jonathan Pitriopa (Burkina Faso)
Indeed many soccer pundits are not happy that
Brazil will not see the skills of this gifted winger,
who set the 2013 African Nations Cup
tournament alight with his skills. The Rennes
forward was voted the tournament’s best player
and went on to inspire the Stallions to reach the
final World Cup qualifying phase. Even though
he scored 1 the first leg against Algeria, defensive
frailties ultimately cost his side dear as Burkina
Faso conceded twice in Ouagadougou and was
beaten 1-0 in the second leg and eliminated. For
me however, no one was better in 2013 in his
position than Pitriopa and that is why he is in this
team.
Striker: Emmanuel; Emenike
My colleague panelist at GTV and former Black
Stars striker Augustine Arhinful was constantly
raving about him during the 2013 African
Nations Cup and after watching him inspire
Nigeria to victory, despite missing the final
through injury, I could see why. Emenike
reminds me so much of the late Rashidi Yekini,
with the same power-laden shots, aggression,
ability to bring his other team-mates into play and
the knack of giving defenders nightmares. His
goal against Cote D’Ivoire was a sight to behold
and even though he was out injured for a while,
he came back to inspire a magnificent comeback
as Nigeria came back from a goal down to beat
Ethiopia 2-1 in Addis Ababa, with Emenike
getting both goals. Keeping him fit will be one of
Keshi’s priorities going into the 2014 World Cup,
where, with the right service, he could prove a
major hit.
Coach of the year: Stephen Keshi
With all that he has achieved despite a glaring
lack of respect for his abilities by his own
country’s football governing body, I believe
Stephen Keshi has been the best coach on the
continent. The former Super Eagles captain has
shown a very strong steely resolve in the face of
adversity and if the Nigerian Football Federation
gives him the necessary support, Nigeria could be
one of the dark horses in Brazil.
So there you have it. These are solely my views
and anyone at all is entitled to disagree. After all,
that is the beauty of football discussions.

mobile.ghanaweb.com/wap/article.php?ID=296896

Spot on. Although I'll pick Pierre Emerick Aubemeyang in the hole behind that striker in place of Gyan. That is if we are looking at the whole of 2013 and not just the Nations Cup. But I understand your need to include a Ghanaian on the list.