Two-time AFCON winner with Cameroon Geremi Njitap overlooked any Super Eagles stars as he named the seven players to watch out for at this year’s edition.
The 33rd AFCON edition kicked off on Sunday with hosts Cameroon coming from a goal down to beat Burkina Faso 2-1.
A brace from Vincent Aboubakar, both goals from the penalty spot, got the Indomitable Lions off to a perfect start.
Geremi Njitap
Former champions Ghana and Morocco will take to the field in Monday’s heavyweight tie.
And prior to start of the tournament, Ngitap identified players he feels will standout for their countries with no Nigerian stars mentioned.
With the likes of Victor Osimhen, Emmanuel Dennis, Paul Onuachu and Oghenekaro Etebo out, the Eagles will rely on stars like Kelechi Iheanacho, Wilfred Ndidi, Taiwo Awoniyi, and Samuel Chukwueze.
Despite the array of talents in the Eagles, the former Real Madrid and Chelsea defender named players like Egypt’s Mohamed Elneny, Sebastian Haller and Franck Kessie of Côte d’Ivoire, his country man Karl Toko Ekambi among stars to watch.
Speaking to Metro.co.uk Geremi said:“From the Ivory Coast, Sebastian Haller is one to watch,” said Geremi.
“He is scoring a lot of goals for Ajax this season and for me has a very good chance to win the Golden Boot at AFCON if he continues with his current form.”
“In the Senegal national team, you have to look at Ismaila Sarr, he’s going to do a lot of good things.
“He has been very good for Watford in the past few years and he is an exciting young talent.
“He is still young and it’s clear he has a lot of potential when teams like Liverpool have been interested.”
“Mohamed Elneny is also a standout for Egypt, he is an experienced player at the top level and always consistent for Arsenal when he gets the chance to play – and just as important as Mo Salah is for Egypt.”
“This could be the tournament for Franck Kessie to show the Premier League’s big clubs that he’s perfect to sign from Milan.
“He will be the heart of the Ivory Coast midfield and if they are to have a good tournament, he will have to fire for them.”
“Another one to watch is Islam Slimani from Algeria, he can do good things,” said Geremi.
“Yes, he didn’t do well at Leicester, but he is playing in France now and always a dangerous player in attack for Algeria with the service of Mahrez to feed balls into the box.”
“For my country Cameroon, I love Karl Toko Ekambi up front – he is Lyon’s leading scorer coming into a rich vein of form recently and they will miss him in Ligue 1.
“He can be a big talisman if my nation is going to try and win the tournament.”
“As for some younger players, Kamaldeen Sulemana has caught my eye for Rennes in France,” Njitap said.
“He is so quick as a winger and has the chance to be a huge star for Ghana. And he’s only 19 with a huge career ahead of him.”
The post Cameroon Legend Snubs Super Eagles Stars, Names Seven Players To Shine At 2021 AFCON appeared first on Complete Sports.
COMMENTS