10 Youth Prospects from Africa

African nations are getting better and better at competitive football since the onset of the 21st century. After some impressive outings in the recent FIFA World Cups by Senegal and Ghana and a good showing at the FIFA Youth Championships by Ghana and Nigeria, Africa is becoming a hub for footballing talent. Scouts from big clubs have set up camps in Algeria, South Africa and Ivory Coast, to name a few. We look at ten players from Africa who can make a big impact in Europe and in the future World Cups.

1. Souleymane Coulibaly( Tottenham Hotspur, Ivory Coast) :

Coulibaly playing for Ivory Coast.

Coulibaly had his big break in the 2011 FIFA Under 17 World Cup, where he scored nine goals including a hat-trick against Brazil. He ended up as the tournament’s top scorer, equalling the all time record set up by Sinama Pongolle in the 2001 FIFA Under 17 World Cup. He was in the Siena youth team then and naturally big clubs like Manchester United and Real Madrid came after him. He was christened as ” The new Drogba”. However, before a move could materialize to the big clubs, Tottenham Hotspur snapped him up in July 2011. He is a very strong striker and has powerful shooting power.

2.Edgar Salli( FC Monaco, Cameroon) :

Edgar Salli has been the standout player in Ligue 2.

Salli was named as the best player of the 2011 CAN Youth Championship and was signed by AS Monaco soon after. Monaco were undergoing the worst period in their illustrious history after being relegated to ligue 2. Many did not expect Salli to make an impact of such tremendous proportions. He is a winger of short stature but with incredible trickery and was hailed as ” The African Messi”, Salli has notched up five goals and 12 assists in his first season in France.

He has a vast amount of trickery under his belt and could be the next big thing after Eto’o for Cameroonian football.

3.Uche Nwofor( VVV Venlo, Nigeria)

Uche Nwofor even has a trademark celebration.

The top goal scorer in the 2011 African youth Championship, Uche joined Eredivise side VVV Venlo in 2011. He has since scored four goals for the Eredivise side. Blessed with an eye for goals, Uche helped Nigeria lift the Youth Championship for the sixth time in South Africa. He has been linked with moves to Benfica and Ajax Amsterdam.

4. Knowledge Musona( 1899 Hoffenheim, Zimbabwe):

Knowledge Musona: Bringing Zimbabwe in the limelight.

Knowledge Musona is a deadly goalscorer and is a huge prospect from an otherwise unknown footballing nation, Zimbabwe. He moved to the Bundesliga in 2011 after three successful seasons with South African Giants Kaizer Chiefs. Knowledge is yet to make his mark in the Bundesliga but he has no such problems internationally. He has already scored 10 goals in 12 games for Zimbabwe.

5.Kermit Erasmus( Supersport United,South Africa) :

Kermit Erasmus is a huge South African prospect.

Kermit Erasmus is an attacking midfielder who can also play centre forward. Feyenoord noticed his talent in 2008 and signed him from parent club Supersport United. After three frustrating years at Feyenoord, he was sent on loan to Excelsior where he went on to score 15 goals in 32 appearances. He was resigned by Supersport and has been terrific since then. He has been linked to French League sides Toulouse and Lyon in the past.

6. Ryad Boudebouz( Sochaux Montbeliard, Algeria) :

Ryad Boudebouz has been a consistent performer in Ligue 1.

Ryad Boudebouz can operate anywhere in midfield but is preferred as a Right Attacking Midfielder. After impressing with the French U-19, Ryad chose to play for Algeria instead. He joined Sochaux way back in 2004 and quickly made his first team appearance in 2008. He has since then made 140 appearances for Sochaux. He is currently linked to Liverpool and Newcastle United. His dribbling and crossing is world class.

7. Sani Emmanuel ( Lazio, Nigeria)

Sani Emmanuel after the 2009 Under 17 FIFA World Cup.

Sani Emmanuel is an attacking midfielder and currently plays for S.S Lazio Reserves. He is making steady progress in Lazio. Sani got international recognition in the 2009 FIFA U-17 World Cup, where he scored five goals and was named player of the tournament. He moved to Sweden and played well for the youth team before Lazio came calling. He is wanted by Chelsea and Glasgow Celtic.

8. Thulani Serero( Ajax Amsterdam, South Africa) :

Thulani Serero with PLS Player of the Year trophies.

Serero is an attacking midfielder by position. He was instrumental in his first season in Ajax Cape Town, a club based in South Africa. He scored twelve goals and was PLS Player of the Year for 2011. He moved to Ajax Amsterdam in 2011 and is already being hailed as a back up to Christian Eriksen, should the Dane decide to leave.

9. Ahmed Musa( CSKA Moscow, Nigeria) :

Ahmed Musa against Real Madrid in the UEFA Champions League.

Ahmed Musa was considered special ever since his debut in the Nigerian Premier League for Kano Pillars. Musa is a special talent. He is extremely quick and pacy and his positioning is top draw. He was signed by Dutch side, Venlo, where he had a great season. CSKA Moscow paid a hefty undisclosed fee for the Nigerian in January 2012. He made his Champions League debut against Real Madrid, a game which saw him gain a lot of appreciation around the world.

10. Andre Ayew( Olympique Marseille, Ghana) :

“Andre Ayew displaying his African player of the Year award.

Andre Ayew, son of the African legend Abedi Pele, was named the 2011 African player of the Year. He was instrumental in Marseille’s Ligue 1 triumph and came to international acclaim in the 2009 FIFA U-20 World Cup. Ayew is an adept winger and holds the ball really well. He has been terrific in France and is being linked with the likes of Barcelona and Inter Milan.