Across the continent the mood was one of success as Africa staged her first World Cup finals without a hitch. Among the 736 players participating, 138 were there on behalf of teams from Africa. With many optimistic fans, blowing vuvuzelas, confident that the six African represenatives could fufil their high expectations, the continent’s stars roared into action.
But one by one they fell; Ghana going furthest. And the Black Stars’ efforts drew praise from every African. Despite no African country coming through to steal the show, there were still a number of players who all of Africa will never forget for their performance at the first ‘home’ World Cup:
Asamoah Gyan (Ghana)
Playing as a lone forward in a safety first approach by coach Milovan Rajevac, the Ghana striker emerged as one of the star players of the tournament. Although his bar-shaving effort and missed penalty against Uruguay helped send the Black Stars home, the strong and powerful Gyan was a true star. His penalty against Serbia registered Africa’s first goal of the finals, but more importantly his extra-time strike against the USA won him millions of fans across the continent and kept home hopes alive that bit longer. Gyan finished as Africa’s top scorer with three goals.
Kevin-Prince Boateng (Ghana)
Kevin-Prince Boateng was outstanding at the World Cup. The hard working naturalised prince, who majestically gave his all for Ghana, was behind much of their good work. Boateng suffered relegation heartbreak with his club Portsmouth and then injured Germany captain Michael Ballack in the FA Cup final, putting him out of the tournament. Boateng shrugged off these blows though and drove the Black Stars forward, becoming an instant hit with the Ghana team – following his declaration for the African nation – and establishing himself as a key man.
Anthony Annan (Ghana)
It would be easy to name the entire Black Stars squad as Africa’s most outstanding performers, but the ball-collector and ball-cleaner behind much of it was Anthony Annan, whose execution of his duties was flawless. Size doesn’t always count in football and the Rosenborg midfielder’s performance at the World Cup proved that. Annan is blessed with superb strength and skill, combined with excellent vision, and he gained momentum when Ghana needed it most.
Vincent Enyeama (Nigeria)
After the World Cup Nigeria faced the prospect of a long spell in the international wilderness as president Goodluck Jonathan decided the team had let the country down and proposed a ban. However, the situation could have been much worse – hard though that is to believe – had Vincent Enyeama not made a series of great saves. The keeper alone was the reason Argentina failed to thrash the Nigerians.
Katlego Mphela (South Africa)
He may not have fulfilled his true potential during the finals, but the South African striker did manage to hold his own against the world’s best. His effort, which bounced off the post in the opening match against Mexico, could have changed the course of the hosts’ tournament had it gone in. Luck though was not on Mphela’s or Bafana Bafana’s side.
John Mensah (Ghana)
Some may only remember Mensah for his shockingly bad penalty miss in the quarter-final against Uruguay, but the central defender deserves better than to be remembered for that alone. The captain of the Black Stars, Mensah touched down in South Africa ready to sacrifice everything to help the team form a concrete backline. Many teams ran up against Mensah’s wall and could not get past. Even the free-scoring Germans could only manage but one goal.
Kalu Uche (Nigeria)
Nigeria does not fail miserably often in world football, but this time around even the few individuals who sparkled could not inspire the Super Eagles. Kalu Uche left the World Cup with two goals to his name – impressive as he played just two full games. He was also unlucky on a number of occasions after coming close to scoring. Nigeria may have gone home as losers, but the Almeria man most certainly did not.
Gervaio Yao Kouassi “Gervinho” (Ivory Coast)
Disappointingly omitted from the starting eleven which took on Brazil, the winger’s pace and trickery nevertheless caused nightmares for many Portuguese defenders when they faced him. In a poor tournament overall from the Ivory Coast, Gervinho stood out as their best player by far.
Geremi Njitap (Cameroon)
The former Real Madrid and Chelsea star only came on with less than 30 minutes to go before the final whistle in the group game against Japan, but his introduction was a huge boost to the Indomitable Lions’ attacks. Always keen going forward, and a good crosser of the ball, Geremi was one of the few noticable players in a disappointing Cameroonian side.
Siphiwe Tsabalala (South Africa)
Scorer of the first goal of the tournament, Tsabalala sent in a thunderous shot that rocked the back of the net, sending the vuvuzelas a few decibels higher. Young, athletic and skilful, Tsabalala has written his name in South African football history for all eternity.
