We pick a best XI from the contenders at this year’s tournament in Equatorial Guinea.
It is just days until the 2015 African Cup of Nations kicks off in Equatorial Guinea, with the likes of Ivory Coast, Zambia, Senegal and Algeria the favourites to lift the trophy, with holders Nigeria having failed to qualify for the tournament.
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There will be plenty of top class talent on show, as the number of African players at top European clubs continues to rise. We’ve picked an all-star XI of players to keep your eyes on during the tournament:
GK) >Rais M’Bolhi (Philadelphia Union and Algeria)
With the best African goalkeeper of the current era, Nigerian’s Vincent Enyeama, having failed to make the tournament, Algerian Rais M’Bolhi is the man to watch, with the MLS star looking to build on his fine displays in the World Cup.
RB) Serge Aurier (Paris Saint Germain and Ivory Coast)
A player heavily linked with a move to Arsenal in the summer, Paris Saint Germain right back Serge Aurier will be hoping to show the Gunners what they’ve missed out on with his marauding displays for the Ivory Coast.
CB) Nicolas N’Koulou (Marseille and Cameroon)
Marseille central defender Nicolas N’Koulou is out of contract at the end of the season and will be looking to put himself in the shop window with some impressive performances for Cameroon.
CB) Kolo Toure (Liverpool and Ivory Coast)
He may be heading towards the end of his career and no longer a regular in the Liverpool team, but Kolo Toure is one of the most accomplished African defenders of all time and his experience will be crucial to the Ivory Coast.
LB) Pape Souare (Lille and Senegal)
Another Ligue 1 player who will be looking to impress at the tournament is Senegal left back Pape Souare, who has been a consistent performer for Lille over the last couple of seasons.
CM) Yaya Toure (Manchester City and Ivory Coast)
Probably the best individual player at the tournament, Manchester City star will be hoping to lead the Ivory Coast to the tournament triumph that they have craved for so long.
CM) Yacine Brahimi (FC Porto and Algeria)
Voted as African football of the year by the BBC, Algeria attacking midfielder Yacine Brahimi caught the eye with his performances at the World Cup and has continued that for FC Porto this season.
ARM) Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (Borussia Dortmund and Gabon)
He has, like most of his teammates, been disappointing at club level for Borussia Dortmund so far this season, but Aubameyang carries the hopes of outsiders Gabon on his shoulders.
ACM) Gervinho (AS Roma and Ivory Coast)
Tricky forward Gervinho has seen his career reborn since leaving Arsenal for AS Roma and the Ivory Coast will be hoping that he can help them live up to their tag as favourites.
ALM) Yannick Bolasie (Crystal Palace and DR Congo)
Flying winger Yannick Bolasie has been irrepressible at times for Crystal Palace in the Premier League this season, but he will need to be at his best if underdogs DR Congo are going to make it out of their group.
SC) Wilfried Bony (Manchester City and Ivory Coast)
Fresh from completing his £28m move from Swansea City to Manchester City, powerful striker Wilfried Bony will be hoping to take up the mantle from Didier Drogba as his country’s focal point in attack.