Afcon’s handsome poster boys
There was Didier Drogba, Yaya Toure, Rigobert Song, Samuel Eto’o and Benni McCarthy but these players have all made way for the new crop of African star players at Afcon, writes Daniel Mothowagae
DESPITE his retirement from Ivory Coast in 2014, the imposing image of Didier Drogba somehow still flashes in the mind when one thinks of the enduring faces of African football.
The pictures of Cameroon greats Samuel Eto’o and Rigobert Song also don’t want to fade away – even that of former Ghana strongman Michael Essien.
This generation had ladies drooling over their chisel-shaped bodies and the reason they won’t be forgotten quickly is that they served as Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) poster boys for many years.
The recent retirement of Ivory Coast captain Yaya Toure has opened the door for a new face to emerge from the defending champions to make the billboards and magazine covers.
Wilfried Zaha has the potential. The 24-year-old Crystal Palace winger is a former Manchester United player and has the looks.
He has already drawn admiration for committing himself to the Elephants after months of uncertainty over his international allegiance.
The latest Afcon instalment could catapult Zaha into Africa’s latest football pop star to join the likes of Gabon’s Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
The Borussia Dortmund talismanic striker , 27, is already the leading figure that is promoting the tournament that kicks off in his home country on Saturday.
Aubameyang’s face has been splashed along that of Liverpool’s Senegal striker Sadio Mané, 24, as the Gabon 2017 poster boys. Then there is newly-crowned African Football of the year (overseas-based category), Algeria’s Riyad Mahrez. The 25-year-old midfielder has no doubt taken over from Egypt’s duo of Mido and Mohamed Aboutrika as north Africa’s most popular player. Mahrez’s profile is also boosted by the fact he spearheaded Leicester City’s fairytale win of the English Premier League last season. Ghana and the continent previously raved about Michael Essien – who despite being a rather shy and reserved character – couldn’t really escape the spotlight since he played for elite clubs Chelsea and Real Madrid. With Essien now almost forgotten and Asamoah Gyan slowing heading towards retirement, West Ham United midfielder Andre Ayew, 27, is steadily proving to be the Black Stars’ most popular guy. Ayew’s profile is further enhanced by his legendary father Abedi, who remains famous at the west African country to this day.
Meanwhile, old horse Emmanuel Adebayor, 32 still holds his place in the popularity stakes – but like Gyan – the Togo captain is the last of a generation that has effectively been replaced by Abuameyang, Mané, Mahrez and Ayew as the newest faces of African football.