Good Player Guide #1 - Moustapha Bayal Sall

Have you been enjoying the 2008 African Cup of Nations as much as we have? Sad its all just days away from drawing to a close? Tell me about it. This has been, in my opinion, one of the most enjoyable tournaments in recent memory and it is a shame we are nearing the end. But as we prepare ourselves for the exciting climax to the competition let us begin to pay tribute to some of the players that have brightened up the last few weeks of our lives, as Just-Football kicks off its Good Player Guide with a Cup of Nations special.

The focus is not on the obvious stars here but rather on the lesser known talents, those that have performed well enough throughout the tournament to be considered worthy of honourable mention. Players with unrecognised pedigree. This is the start of what we hope will become a regular feature on Just-Football, as we keep on the lookout for talent to add to the Good Player Guide over the coming weeks and months. First up:

Moustapha Bayal Sall

(Saint Etienne / Senegal)

Despite the high hopes of a nation Senegal turned out to be arguably the biggest disappointment in Ghana, bowing out early after a series of lacklustre performances. Unfortunately as a result, spectators were deprived further opportunity to see Saint Etienne’s powerful defensive midfielder Moustapha Bayal Sall display his talents, but it would be fair to say that his country’s timid exit from the competition did little to diminish his growing reputation. For Sall was the Lions of Teranga’s stand-out performer.

Selected in each of Senegal’s three matches, the 22-year old played with a maturity beyond his years and linked well with fellow ball winner Papa Bouba Diop in the heart of midfield. At 6ft 3in and 14 st (1.93m/90kg) Sall offers a magnificent physical presence in the middle of the park and can also play in defence, where he has filled in for Saint Etienne on numerous occasions this season. The player’s own preferred position is in that defensive midfield role however.

Sall made his international debut at twenty whilst still playing for Senegalese club side US Goree, but moved to France via IK Start in Norway. There he was the subject of controversy for moving to Les Verts without ever playing a game for the Norwegians, and the matter was eventually dealt with by FIFA who ordered the French outfit to pay $150,000 in compensation to IK Start. A pittance given the impressive start he has made to his career.

For one with such a large frame Sall is notably pacy and the youngster also boasts an impressive touch, equally as confident on the ball as he is in the tackle. His full-blooded approach to the game marks him as a daunting prospect for any opponent, and the tenacity with which he snaps into challenges means he is rarely outfought. His goalscoring record is not the best but Sall managed to bag his first international goal in the 2-2 draw with Tunisia capping what was, on a personal level, a very fine tournament. He is also a commanding presence in the air. Having gained valuable experience in Ghana his responsibilities within the national team will no doubt soon grow, and Moustapha Bayal Sall looks sure to be a lynchpin in the Senegal side for many years to come.