The best players on show in the 2015 African Cup of Nations tournament.
The African Cup of Nations 2015 is just one day away from kicking off in Equatorial Guinea with a host of big name African stars prepare to face off for bragging rights in their continent.
SEE MORE:
Five Exciting Players To Watch Out For At The African Cup Of Nations: Man City New Boy And Barca Starlet Included
Ten Most Expensive African Footballers Of All Time, As Man City Close In On Record Wilfried Bony Deal
Top 20 African Players In Premier League History: Arsenal, Liverpool, Chelsea And Manchester City Well Represented
With holders Nigeria failing to qualify, it affords more opportunity for the likes of Cameroon, Ivory Coast, Ghana and Senegal to try and win the trophy.
We assemble a best XI of players to make sure you keep an eye out for throughout the tournament:
GK: Fabrice Ondoa (Barcelona B & Cameroon)
It may be a controversial choice but Ondoa is definitely the keeper of the future and an exciting and intriguing prospect in the coming years.
It was actually the organisation of Cameroon legend Samuel Eto’o who helped Ondoa find his way in football and get him a move to Barcelona where he is the keeper of the reserve team.
But don’t let his status as a B team keeper for the La Liga giants fool you, Ondoa is very much the future with both the Catalans and Cameroon and can already hold his own with some of Africa’s best shot stoppers.
RB: Serge Aurier (Paris Saint Germain & Ivory Coast)
Aurier was heavily linked with Arsenal in the summer but a deal never materialised and he eventually moved to PSG.
After a hit and miss World Cup the full-back will be wanting to put in a strong display to show he can handle the big occasion for his country.
CB: Joël Matip (Schalke 04 & Cameroon)
Matip is one half of a young but dominating Cameroonian defence.
He made his debut for Bundesliga side Schalke at 18 and has barely looked back since with his tough tackling and combative style.
His versatility is also a major plus as he can feature in midfield just as comfortably as defence.
CB: Nicolas N’Koulou (Marseille & Cameroon)
The other part of Cameroon’s impressive, young defence, N’Koulou may only be 24 but has established himself as a key part of the Indomitable Lions side.
The loss of his commanding presence was keenly felt by Marseille in their first match without him during his tournament absence which saw the Ligue 1 side lose to Montpellier and surrender top spot.
LB: Pape Souare (Lille & Senegal)
One of the most consistent faces in the Lille team and the only part of the shaky Senegalese defence you’d have faith in not to make a mistake.
CM: Yaya Toure (Manchester City & Ivory Coast)
Probably the most complete player for both City and Ivory Coast, but it’s just whether Toure’s head will be completely in the game to drive his side on as his mind has been known to wander.
But if he’s in the right mindset the 31-year-old could be just the man to drive the Elephants on to the success they’ve craved for so long.
CM: Stephane M’Bia (Sevilla & Cameroon)
After a strange spell at QPR, former Marseille man M’Bia is impressing once again at Sevilla putting in his typically commanding displays.
The captain of Cameroon, M’Bia was crucial to his club side’s success in the Europa league last season and to their top four place this.
RW: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (Borussia Dortmund & Gabon)
The star of the Gabon squad has had to contend with a particular dour season so far for club Borussia Dortmund.
Despite their struggles however, Aubemayang has impressed personally, scoring eleven and assisting seven so far in all competitions this season.
LW: Gervinho (AS Roma & Ivory Coast)
Crucial to Roma’s success and a key part of the Ivory Coast attack, Gervinho has come a long way since his torrid time at Arsenal.
It may just be his powering dribbles and quick speed that allow Côte d’Ivoire to finally achieve major success.
ST: Wilfried Bony (Manchester City & Ivory Coast)
You’d expect the powerful and muscular Bony to be enjoying the tournament to it’s fullest extent after his big money move to Man City was confirmed on Wednesday.
We may just get a glimpse of how deadly City’s attack will be with both him and Yaya Toure in the Ivory Coast XI.
ST: Asamoah Gyan (Al-Ain & Ghana)
You’d have thought Gyan’s form and place in the Black Stars team would suffer following a move to little known UAE club Al Ain but the striker’s record of 45 international goals in 86 caps really tells you all you need to know.