Goal.com Worldview: The Potential Break-Out Stars Of The Africa Cup Of Nations

Goal.com looks at some of the possible headline grabbers at Angola 2010...

The Africa Cup of Nations provides a biannual showcase for the talents of some of the continent's most established stars. Didier Drogba, Samuel Eto'o, Mohammed Zidan and company are regarded as world class performers and go to Angola with the hopes of their respective nations resting on their shoulders. However, there is another class of performer waiting in the wings for their time to come. The Africa Cup of Nations will be an opportunity for some of the continent's break-out stars to show their worth. These players may not be household names yet, but Angola 2010 could give them the chance to augment their reputations. Goal.com's team of global experts has scoured the globe for some potential stars-in-waiting.

Dominic Adiyiah - Ghana & AC Milan

The 20-year-old earned himself a lucrative move to AC Milan thanks to his performances in the under-20 World Cup. Adiyiah, then of Fredrikstad in Norway, scored eight times throughout the series as the Black Satellites claimed the title. He earned a first senior cap for Ghana in November and is one of Milovan Rajevac's young inclusions for the Angola series. For a while now, Ghana have been lacking a genuine goal-getter; Adiyiah could end that sequence and give the Black Stars and added edge.

Carlo Garganese, Goal.com International

Youssef Msakni - Tunisia & Esperance

The Esperance player has not yet been capped at senior level but his performances during his time in youth teams, particularly his excellence at the 2007 Under-17 World Cup, have garnered him many admirers. The speedster can be utilised as both a support striker and a right-sided midfielder. Such versatility might just earn him a place in Faouzi Benzarti's starting XI despite the fact that he is the youngest player on the roster at 19. Msakni was previously barred by the Tunisian FA for disciplinary reasons but his coach, who is also his manager at club level, insisted that he be pardoned. Hamburger SV are reportedly tracking the phenom.

Rami Ayari, Goal.com Africa

Cheik Ismael Tiote - Cote D'Ivoire & FC Twente

Few people know about the 23-year-old at the moment, but more surely will after Angola 2010. Tiote is a voracious midfielder who, according to local journalists, is a “tireless runner always hungry to see something happen on the field”. Born 23 years ago, Tiote began his professional career with Anderlecht in Belgium in 2005, helping his side to the final of the Belgian Cup that year. He played for Roda JC in the Netherlands during the 2007-08 season and then moved on to FC Twente, where he still plays. “I’m honoured to be selected, and I’m ready to prove my best to the coach and the nation,” he told reporters recently. Will the absence of Romaric in the midfield create a chance for Tiote to explode? Let’s wait and see.

Kingsley Kobo, Goal.com Africa

Madjid Bougherra - Algeria & Rangers

There was general surprise when Rangers parted with £2.5 million to take Bougherra from Charlton Athletic in the summer of 2008. It was his third move in as many years and the impression was of a journeyman central defender. However, his performances quickly demonstrated why he was so valued; quick, perceptive in snuffing out attacks and with a perfect build for a centre-back, Bougherra became a firm favourite with Rangers fans as they swept to a League and Cup double in Scotland. Recently, though, the relationship has soured. Bougherra has repeatedly gone AWOL after international duty with Algeria, and there have been contradictory quotes over his desire to stay in Glasgow beyond this season. The Africa Cup of Nations is the 27-year-old's shop window, and given that he was recently voted Algeria's player of 2009 in an internet poll, he should be able to impress.

Steven Saunders, Goal.com UK

Elias Pelembe - Mozambique & Mamelodi Sundowns

The 26-year-old is a speedy and skilful winger who can also be deployed behind the strikers; he has a good eye for goals and can pack a powerful shot. Domingues, as he is nicknamed, was the influential player when his former club, Supersport United, won the 2007-08 Premier Soccer League and was subsequently voted PSL Player of the Season.

Clyde Tlou, Goal.com Africa

Jacob Mulenga - Zambia & FC Utrecht

A physically strong striker, who initially had some difficulty in getting used to playing at FC Utrecht, came into his own during the last weeks of 2009. The 25-year-old played well towards the end of the decade, no more so than in the game against Ajax. FC Utrecht won 2-0 and Mulenga scored the first goal. He could improve his vision and finishing, but is a handful due to his physical prowess. Also, Mulenga is fast and has good spring in his heels. He is a player who can cause trouble to the defence of any opponents. Maybe the Africa Cup could be his international breakthrough with Zambia.

Tommy Vaneldik, Goal.com Netherlands

Gervinho - Cote d'Ivoire & Lille

Gervinho was ranked third in the running for African Player of the Year in 2009 and is currently the top goalscorer in France with 11 goals. At 22, the attacker is the revelation of Ligue 1, and at the moment his side, Lille, are playing the best football in Le Championnat. The ex-Le Mans striker has found his place on either flank of the attack and he is very technical and very quick. Surely a player to watch and another big threat from the Ivorian team, one of the most formidable in the competition.

Alexandre Walraevens, Goal.com France

Moumouni Dagano - Burkina Faso & Al Khor

The top scorer in the CAF section for 2010 World Cup qualification was not Samuel Eto'o, Frederic Kanoute or Didier Drogba. Instead, it was the relatively unknown Al Khor striker, Moumouni Dagano, of the Stallions of Burkina Faso. The 29-year-old front-man struck 12 times in the process of propelling his side towards Africa Cup of Nations qualification in Angola. The Burkinabe find themselves in a difficult group at Angola, with Ghana, Cote d'Ivoire and Togo for company. To again top the scoring log would be some feat for Dagano, but he will need to remedy his problem of failing to net big goals in big games. In the two qualification defeats against Cote d'Ivoire, he failed to find the net.