Didier Drogba, Samuel Eto’o, Benny McCarthy; these three names all made it in LiveSoccerTV.com’s list for the top 12 African players expected to shine. In the second part of this coverage, we take a look at six more players. Algeria's hero Antar Yahia has been included. There’s even a defender, and he comes from Cameroon.

1) Steven Pieenar - South Africa

The 28-year-old Everton winger is South Africa’s play maker. He infuses excitement in Bafana Bafana’s play with his dangerous runs and his incredible pace. Steven Pieenar can take advantage of opponents’ mistake from his midfield position and initiate attacks in no time at all. But Pieenar’s weakness comes in front of goal. He can make accurate crosses from any area and angle, but scoring remains a problem. After 46 appearances for South Africa since 2002, Steven Pieenar has scored only two goals.

During the 2010 World Cup, he’ll either have to raise his shooting game or hope that Bafana Bafana’s strikers connect well with his work down the wings and in midfield. The captain, who won Everton’s Best Player of the Year award this season, is not willing to let the opportunity of participating in Africa’s first ever World Cup tournament slip away. He has vowed to give 150% of his strength to help Bafana Bafana make a good impression during the competition.



2) Salamon Kalou - Cote d'Ivoire

Salomon Kalou has just had his best ever season in club football in terms of performance. The Chelsea forward enjoyed more starts for the Blues under Carlo Ancelotti and his performance was of a great influence in his team’s English Premier League triumph. Kalou’s satisfying season with Chelsea has just given him the perfect preparations ahead of the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

After his excellent performance in the Blues’ 8-0 thrashing of Wigan Athletic on the final day of the EPL, Cote d’Ivoire supporters expressed their belief in Salomon Kalou’s talent. For fans of the Elephants, Kalou will work things out amazingly upfront with Didier Drogba during South Africa 2010. In fact, the 24-year-old can play everywhere upfront on the field. He is a winger, an attacking midfielder, and a second striker as well.



3) Antar Yahia - Algeria

The 6 ft 1 in centre back is a national hero in Algeria. His 40th minute lone goal against Egypt in Khartoum uplifted his status as a player. Algerians will put a close eye on him to make the nation proud during the 2010 World Cup. Two very different adventures await Antar Yahia. As a defender, he will have either a nightmare against the likes of players like USA’s Landon Donovan and England’s Wayne Rooney or he will stun Algeria’s opponents with an enormous amount of strength and experience at the back.



4) Dominic Adiyiah - Ghana

He won the Golden Ball and the Golden Shoe awards at the 2009 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Egypt, and he now holds the CAF Best Young Player of the Year award going into the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. His statistics: 16 U-20 appearances, 17 goals scored. What more should be needed for Dominic Adiyiah to feel that he is on the right track to becoming a superstar in the years to come?

At 20 years of age, the AC Milan striker has scored 30 goals in the 48 appearances he’s had in professional football for his clubs and for his country. The Lionel Messi admirer has the ability to keep the ball between his feet and make defenders helpless. Dominic Adiyiah can boast of his shooting skills. He can score volleys and also finish his amazing runs with hard and low shots. However, he is yet to break his goalless record at the senior level after 4 appearances. But Dominic Adiyiah could actually be the answer to Ghana’s long search for a phenomenal striker.



5) Asamoah Gyan - Ghana

This is another Black Stars striker who could make the difference for Ghana in South Africa. Asamoah Gyan is a player that Ghanaian fans and sports journalists love to criticize. His weak body has prevented him from polishing his skills as a footballer. Asamoah Gyan has often been accused for squandering the easiest of chances upfront at the detriment of the Black Stars.

But during the 2010 Africa Cup of Nations which took place earlier in January, Gyan put his troubles behind by proving his critics wrong. He scored few important goals to carry his team all the way to the final where he was inches away from deceiving Egypt’s veteran goalkeeper Essam El Hadary. The 2010 Africa Cup of Nations silver medalist has his name in the history of the World Cup as the player who scored the earliest goal of the 2006 World Cup tournament in Germany. What record will he make this time round?



6) Alexandre Song - Cameroon

Alexandre Song is the only defender to be part of LiveSoccerTV.com’s Top 12 list. This is a player who loves to play everywhere on the field. He is fast, he has flair, and he makes the fewest of reckless tackles on attackers. Alexandre Song doesn’t only defend; he also initiates attacks by using the wings to move forward. He looks very much ready to succeed his senior brother Rigobert Song as a Cameroonian legend. The 2010 FIFA World Cup should give him a perfect opportunity to exhibit his talent.