Gyan, Odemwingie or Slimani – Who
has been Africa’s best striker at World
Cup 2014?

Asamoah Gyan etched his name into the record books on
Thursday by setting the record for most goals by an African at
World Cup finals. His sixth goal in tournament history – and
his second in Brazil – saw him surpass legendary forward
Roger Milla, whom he had previously been tied with after
scoring in Ghana’s 2-2 draw Germany.
Gyan’s impact on the World Cup is over for at least another
four years, however, as Ghana finished bottom of Group G by
losing 2-1 to Portugal on Thursday. Two African nations
reached the last 16 (Algeria and Nigeria), which kicks off on
Saturday, while three are heading home after three games
(Cameroon, Cote d’Ivoire and the aforementioned Ghana). With
three quarters of the competition having been played, is Gyan
the stand-out African striker in Brazil four years after shining
in South Africa, or has he got genuine competition this time?
Didier Drogba and Wilfried Bony , like Gyan with Ghana, could
not propel Cote d’Ivoire out of Group C, though they can hardly
shoulder the blame. Drogba might not have scored but he
inspired the team to fightback after going a goal behind
against Japan. Bony scored in that 2-1 win and then struck
again in their key clash with Greece. The Swansea star’s goal
was en route to put them into the knockout stages until
Georgios Samaras’ injury-time penalty sent the Ivorians
packing.
The outstanding African disappointment was unquestionably
Samuel Eto’o . The Chelsea man was useless in the loss to
Mexico then absent with injury for their heavy defeats to
Croatia and Mexico. He is almost guaranteed to have played
his last World Cup game and what a whimper of an exit it was.
Contrastingly, Algeria have been a breath of fresh air and
Sporting striker Islam Slimani has been at the centre of their
impressive entry into the last 16. After not starting against
Belgium, he came into the XI against South Korea to kick off
the goal flurry as Algeria knocked four past South Korea. Most
crucially, though, he equalised in the second half against
Russia to avoid elimination and set up a clash with Germany
on Monday.
African giants Nigeria had hopes of escaping Group F after a
kind draw and Peter Odemwingie’s strike against Bosnia-
Herzegovina will be remembered as the crucial moment in their
group stage. After a goalless draw with Iran, Stephen Keshi’s
men would have gone out of the tournament had the striker not
bagged the only goal of the game. Winger Ahmed Musa also
scored two excellent goals against Argentina, but ultimately
they had did not impact the final score as Lionel Messi and Co.
saw off the Super Eagles 3-2. Fenerbahce’s Emmanuel
Emenike has yet to truly make an impression for Nigeria, but
he will have at least one more opportunity on Monday when
they face France.