Africa’s hottest footballers

Steven Pienaar

Why he’s hot: He’s fit and fast, his trademark cornrows are sure to capture the attention of young female fans.

The 28-year-old footballer is a midfielder with South African national team Bafana Bafana and also plays for the English premier league club Everton.

From the Ivory Coast, Drogba plays for the Ivorian national team and for English Premier League team Chelsea as a centre forward. It was with Drogba that Chelsea won their first premier leaguer championship. He was named one of Time’s 100 most influential people after he convinced rebels to lay down their arms after Ivory Coast qualified for the 2006 World cup. He is a UN goodwill ambassador and has been married to his wife with whom he has three kids for close to ten years.　

Steven Pienaar

Why he’s hot: He’s fit and fast, his trademark cornrows are sure to capture the attention of young female fans.

The 28-year-old footballer is a midfielder with South African national team Bafana Bafana and also plays for the English premier league club Everton.

He participated in the 2002 World Cup so this will be his second World Cup. In May last year he received the Everton player of the season award. Pienaar who is writing a blog on Sportsmail came from humble beginnings. He is now an Adidas UMU (Unite Mzansi Unite) ambassador.　

Osaze Odemwingie

Why he’s hot: He has a winning smile and is proud to be African, plus he knows how to have fun and hangs out with P-Square in his spare time.

Osaze, 28, is a midfielder with the National team of Nigeria. He also plays for the Russian team Lokomotiv Moscow. Odemwingie who was raised in Russia pledged loyalty to Nigeria where his father was born. He scored two goals at the Africa cup of nations where Nigeria played South Africa. Osaze whose name means ‘God chooses for you’ says were it not for football he would have been a doctor as both his parents come from the medical profession.　

Samuel Eto’o

Oliech marked his football debut by playing for the Dagoretti Santo’s before playing for Harambee Stars and getting named as one of the most promising players in 2004 alongside Manchester United’s Wayne Rooney. He then moved to Qatar where he played for their national team and made headlines when he turned down an offer for Qatari citizenship. Oliech has played for French league team C Nantes and currently plays for French football team Auxerre.　

MacDonald Mariga

Why he’s hot: He is going places and putting Kenya on the world map, plus he isn’t afraid to admit he has a girlfriend.

The Kenyan footballer recently made headlines when he almost won a chance to play for English Premier league team Manchester City. He currently plays for the Italian team Internazionale and is the first Kenyan player to play and score in the UEFA Champions league. Mariga who is now considered a local celebrity recently splashed out a Hummer.　

Michael Essien

Why he’s hot: Though he didn’t make it to the World Cup Essien’s skill is part of the reason Ghana is playing.

The talented midfielder plays for Ghana’s Blackstars and English Football League team, Chelsea. His nickname on the field is the “Bison” so named for his strong tackling skills. Away from the field he has launched the Michael Essien Foundation in his native Ghana, which seeks to provide food lodging and medical necessities to the countries poverty stricken youth. Despite taking part in Ghana’s qualifying matches Essien will not be playing in the world cup 2010 after he injured his knee. 　

Siphiwe Tshabalala

Why he’s hot: For chicks who like dreads and washbard abs, he is your guy.

Siphiwe plays the left-winger position for the South African National team Bafana Bafana and also plays for local South African team Kaizer Chiefs. The dreadlocked player who grew up in Soweto is humble about his fame. “It’s not easy to be famous, to be a public figure. You know, I’m a role model, I don’t drink. I have to look after myself.” He said in a recent interview. He scored South Africa’s first goal last weekend.

Andre Ayew

Why he is hot: He is young, fit and very single.

Son of the iconic Ghanian footballer Abedi Pele, Andre Ayew, 21, is possibly on of the youngest players in the World Cup. He currently plays the attacking midfielder postion for French Ligue 2 club AC Arles-Avignon and has been named as part Ghana’s Blackstar’s 2010 World cup team so expect to spot him on the pitch.

Additional information from the Internet.