Top 10 Goals of the 2010 Africa Cup of Nations

My "Top 10 USMNT goals of 2009" post from not too long ago was a big hit, and with the new year comes another opportunity to put together a list of fantastic goals from the international game.

You may have missed it, but the 2010 Africa Cup of Nations just concluded on Sunday, with 71 goals scored in 29 matches.  From that total, I widdled down to a Top 10 list for the tournament.  This is a pretty inexact science and some tough decisions had to be made, but in the end, it's a pretty darn good collection of goals regardless of the order they're in.

Enjoy:


10) Flavio Amado, Angola v. Mali (2:06 to 3:10 of the video): I'll open the list with the tournament's opening goal.  The hosts got off to a nice start when Flavio freed himself on a set piece and headed back across goal as he was falling down to give Angola a 1-0 lead, sending the black and red clad fans in Luanda into a frenzy.

9) Gervinho, Cote d'Ivoire v. Ghana (0:40 to 0:56): This was a nice team goal (and I'm a sucker for team goals, which is part of the reason why this one earned a spot) from the Elephants, with a well-weighted through ball followed by a one touch pass and an easy finish.  The goal gave Cote d'Ivoire a lead they would not surrender, eventually winning 3-1.

8) Chinedu Obasi, Nigeria v. Egypt (0:00 to 0:21): The Nigerian striker wasted no time in getting his Africa Cup of Nations campaign off on the right foot, cutting just outside the box before ripping a shot into the far upper corner to give the Super Eagles a 12th minute lead.  It was one of the few highlights in what ended up being a 3-1 loss for Obasi and company.

7) Frederic Kanoute, Mali v. Angola (7:18 to 7:52): In what ended up being an incredible 4 goal comeback in the tournament opener, Kanoute rose up from about 16 yards out and snapped home a header with a lot of power and perfect placement for Mali's second goal of the match.  The fantastic technique and surprising amount of power behind the shot earn him the #7 spot on the list.

6) Siaka Tiene, Cote d'Ivoire v. Ghana (1:53 to 2:08): Tiene's ambitious effort from well outside the area curled beautifully into the top corner just beyond the outstretched arms of the Ghana goalkeeper.  The goal doubled Cote d'Ivoire's lead in a match that they would go on to win by a score of 3-1.

5) Seydou Keita, Mali v. Malawi (click play at the top between the two flags): From 30 yards out, Keita hit a left-footed bomb through the wall and into the far upper corner, blazing past the helpless Malawi keeper.  This 3rd minute golazo gave Mali a 2-0 lead and ended up being the game-winner, as the match finished 3-1.

4) Karim Matmour, Algeria v. Cote d'Ivoire (2:00 to 2:49): With a soft touch, Matmour took down a long ball from the back before taking a small touch and firing a shot from the edge of the box.  His quick release gave the Cote d'Ivoire defenders no chance of stopping him, and his right footed strike hit just inside the near post to level the score.

3) Ahmed Hassan, Egypt v. Benin (0:00 to 0:17): Hassan's chip of the Cameroon goalkeeper from over 40 yards out was a magnificent bit of skill not too unlike Dilly Duka's memorable goal from the 2009 U-20 World Cup (which, coincedentally, also came against Cameroon.  Goalkeeping isn't one of their strong suits, I guess). 

2) Mohamed "Geddo" Nagy, Egypt v. Mozambique (0:45 to 1:26): The eventual Golden Boot winner popped the ball up into the air just outside of the box with his first touch before smacking a left-footed volley into the far upper corner.  It was a lovely bit of skill and an even better finish, earning Geddo the #2 spot.

1) Abdul Keita, Cote d'Ivoire v. Algeria (4:30 to 5:55): With the match level in the 90th minute, Keita took a loose ball and hit an absolute bomb from over 25 yards out as far into the upper corner as possible.  It was an unstoppable strike that hit the bottom of the crossbar, and it would have dramatically sealed a place in the semifinals for Cote d'Ivoire, were it not for Algeria's quick stoppage time response and eventual extra time victory.  At least Keita can take solace in the fact that his goal earned the coveted #1 spot on USSD's Top 10 Goals of the 2010 Africa Cup of Nations.

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As is the case with these rankings, feel free to let me know if you think I messed up big time, if you would've had things slightly different, or if you just enjoyed going through this great collection of goals.

Also, if one of the videos gets removed for some reason, just let me know and I'll address it as quickly as possible.