Africa Cup of Nations: 6 Key Players to Watch in the ACON Final

At last, the Africa Cup of Nations Final is upon us.

...Okay, so maybe there's still the third-place match between Ghana vs Mali before we get to the final match. But who really cares about third place anyway?

What we all want to know is who's going home with the gold, and taking the title as "Africa's Best Team" with them.

Many people have already labelled the finals matchup between Zambia and the Ivory Coast as a match between David and Goliath.

Such an observation isn't off the mark, considering the fact that Zambia's entire ACON squad has only two players playing in Europe, as opposed to Ivory Coast's 22 players.

Nevertheless, with the determination and skill that Zambia has demonstrated in this tournament, only a fool would rule them out as contenders for the title.

Here are six players to watch for in the final match.

Gervinho

The Ivory Coast winger has not had an amazing tournament, but it was his goal that took Ivory Coast to the final.

His link-up play with his teammates has not been great in this tournament, but in a tight final that likely won’t have many scoring opportunities, Gervinho’s quality could be a difference maker.

Yaya Toure

Although he did not score, Yaya Toure controlled the game in midfield for the Ivory Coast against Mali and nullified the influence of ex-Barcelona teammate Seydou Keita.

Whether or not he scores, Toure’s quality in midfield could sway the game well in Ivory Coast’s favor.

Emmanuel Mayuka

Even though he’s scored three goals in this tournament, the jury is still out on Mayuka.

Against Mali, Zambia manager Herve Renard decided to bench Mayuka in favor of James Chamanga, a decision which he almost regretted until Mayuka came off the bench and won the game for Zambia with an excellent finish.

He could be Zambia’s biggest asset in the final.

Rainford Kalaba

Zambia’s manager has praised Kalaba’s performances for Zambia numerous times, and it’s easy to see why.The Zambian midfielder has pace, good crossing ability and is a good dribbler as well.

With the lack of quality midfielders in Zambia’s squad, Kalaba is Zambia’s best hope of creating scoring opportunities for the team’s strikers.

In the video above, Kalaba assists the first goal and earns the penalty for the second.

Didier Drogba

You’d think someone with a resume as impressive as Drogba’s wouldn’t really care about the Africa Cup of Nations, but you’d be wrong.

The Ivorian striker has never won the competition, and this could be the Chelsea man’s best shot before he retires.

Drogba has looked reborn with the Ivory Coast at the Africa Cup of Nations, and a goal in the final would be the perfect storybook ending for the Ivory Coast’s captain.

Christopher Katongo

Zambia’s captain has been at the center of the team’s impressive Africa Cup of Nations campaign this year. His three goals have helped Zambia remain undefeated in the tournament, and have him placed as one of the top scorers of the competition.

Katongo will be sure to bring his A-game against the Ivory Coast, as a victory would ensure his legacy as a national hero and as the country’s greatest captain ever.