Africa Cup of Nations 2013: The 10 Best Goals from South Africa
The African Cup of Nations 2013 has come to a close, congratulations to Nigeria for taking the spoils.
We look back on the tournament and pick out some of the very best goals, including individual brilliance from Emmanuel Emenike and Youssef Msakni and wonderful teamwork from Ghana and Nigeria.
They're not ranked, so feel free to choose your favourite!
Honourable Mentions
1 of 11Countless goals of note, alas we could not fit them all in.
Tresor Mputu, DR Congo vs. Ghana
Collins Mbesuma, Zambia vs. Ethiopia
Yaya Toure, Ivory Coast vs. Togo
Siyabonga Sangweni, South Africa vs. Angola
Didier Drogba, Ivory Coast vs. Algeria
Emmanuel Emenike, Nigeria vs. Burkina Faso
Kwadwo Asamoah, Ghana vs. Mali
Emmanuel Agyemang Badu, Ghana vs. DR Congo
2 of 11The first game to actually produce any goals was Ghana's bout with DR Congo.
The opener was an absolute beauty, epitomising teamwork at its very finest, as cute interplay between Asamoah Gyan, Kwadwo Asamoah and Emmanuel Agyemang Badu led to a mesmerising goal.
Gervinho, Ivory Coast vs. Togo
3 of 11Gervinho had a cracking tournament, prompting questions from the Arsenal faithful as to why he can't replicate the same form at club level.
This was the goal that gave his profile an immediate hike in African, executing a flicked finish at the back post from a free kick. Very easy on the eye.
Youssef Msakni, Tunisia vs. Algeria
4 of 11A drab game between two underperforming sides in Algeria and Tunisia was lit up by a sensational strike by Youssef Msakni.
The Lekhwiya star cut inside his marker during injury time in the second half and fired a rocket into the top right-hand corner.
Lehlohonolo Majoro, South Africa vs. Angola
5 of 11This is an amazing solo effort by Lehlohonolo Majoro.
He keeps the ball in when it doesn't seem possible, ignores the screaming Katlego Mphela in the box and has the guts to attempt the finest of finishes from the acutest of angles.
Elderson Echiejile, Nigeria vs. Mali
6 of 11Nigeria hit cruise control during their semifinal with Mali, but Victor Moses apparently didn't get the memo.
The Chelsea winger turns left-back Adama Tamboura inside out repeatedly before firing in a delicious cross. Elderson Echiejile—the Super Eagles' left-back no less—is there to finish neatly.
Yaya Toure, Ivory Coast vs. Tunisia
7 of 11Ivory Coast's win over Tunisia played host to several impressive strikes, but the pick of the bunch was the killer second.
Yaya Toure collects Gervinho's pass outside the area and bends it around the 'keeper with a sumptuous strike. No stopping that.
Sunday Mba, Nigeria vs. Ivory Coast
8 of 11Picking it up in his own half, Sunday Mba beats one, two, three Ivory Coast players before his finish loops into Boubacar Barry's net.
The circumstances were stunning—the goal came late on in a tense quarterfinal victory that ended the Elephants' golden generation with a slump, but breathed new life into the Super Eagles team.
Alain Traore, Burkina Faso vs. Ethiopia
9 of 11Alain Traore scored two brilliant goals against Ethiopia, but we're picking out his second here as the standout strike.
Everyone was looking forward to him strutting his stuff after some sensational performances for Lorient, and he didn't disappoint.
Emmanuel Emenike, Nigeria vs. Ivory Coast
10 of 11The goalkeeper probably needs to do better here, but Nigeria won't care.
Emmanuel Emenike's unbelievable strike went straight through the grasp of Boubacar Barry from some distance to break the deadlock in a tense quarterfinal.
Sunday Mba, Nigeria vs. Burkina Faso
11 of 11In a tense Africa Cup of Nations 2013 final, it was a moment of brilliance from Sunday Mba that won it for Nigeria again.
Picking up a loose second ball, he hooks it over an onrushing defender and slams a volley into the far corner!
