Ball skills help, being hot is better

WITH the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) kicking off in Equatorial Guinea today, the eyes of football fans and talent scouts will be fixed firmly on the continent.

Women will also take a sudden liking to a sport supported predominantly by men – but for a different reason: their attention will be fixed on the sexy players, but not because of their skills on the field.

While many women don’t know the difference between a free kick and a penalty, they seem to have a common goal when it comes to football tour naments – to catch a glimpse of the hot football stars.

The Saturday Star has compiled a list of players who are bound to make women go weak at the knees when the tournament gets under way.

Representing South Africa will be captain Dean Fur- man, 26, and midfielder Andile Jali. Affectionately known as Mlungu to his hordes of supporters, Furman, who plays for Doncaster Rovers, is admired mostly for his warm and welcoming persona and his boynext-door looks.

Although fairly short, Jali, 24, is known for his aggressiveness on the ball and his fearlessness with opponents.

It’s his never-say-die attitude, arrogance and love for his Xhosa language that often leave many women screaming his name. Ghana is known not only for its entertaining carpet football, but its sea of hunky players.

With his six-pack and rugged look, Kevin Prince Boateng, 27, is known for his foot speed, strength and juggling tricks.

The German-born player had singing sensation Rihanna hot and bothered during the World Cop in Brazil last year, when she tweeted that she might have to support Ghana because of Boateng.

Boateng, whose brother Jerome Boateng plays for the German national team, is vice-captain at FC Schalke 04.

The indomitable Lions, as Ghana are known to their die-hard supporters, are also home to Andre Ayew, 25.

While Ayew may be famous for being the son of the legendary three-time winner of the African Foot- baller of the Year award and Fifa member Abedi Pele, most women will notice Ayew’s smouldering eyes and striking features.

Besides his gentlemanly conduct on the field, Malian player Seydou Keita is known for his towering height. The 34-year-old captains Mali’s team and is a versatile midfielder for Italian club AS Roma.

Ivory Coast player Salomon Kalou, 29, described as a hunky ebony stud by English woman football supporters, also makes the list, thanks to his perfect abs.

Fellow Ivorian Yaya Toure, who is widely considered to be among the finest African players in the world – for his ball skills and dashing looks – is also the reigning African Player of the Year.

Also gifted in the looks department is Cape Verde striker Ryan Mendes, 25. He will enthrall the girls with his rugged features and curly hair.