The 2013 Africa Cup of Nations provides up-and-coming players with the perfect opportunity to strut their stuff.
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This is the players who caught the eye on day 7 of the competition.
Zambia v Nigeria
Emmanuel Emenike was the stand-out performer in the clash between Zambia and Nigeria. Even though the teams played to a draw, Emenike's goal shortly after half-time put the Super Eagles in the driving seat, until Kennedy Mweene's equalising penalty.
Emenike did well to take the ball in his stride after John Obi Mikel won the ball and put him through on goal. The 25-year-old then beat his defender in the box and coolly slotted it past Mweene.
The indomitable striker had several opportunities before that, too, as he battled hard throughout the match to put the Zambian defenders under the cosh.
The frontman plays his football in Russia for Spartak Moscow, with 18 goals in 37 appearances. He also had a stint with Mpumalanga Black Aces five years ago, as well as a season with FC Cape Town.
Burkina Faso v Ethiopia
Once the dust had settled and the vuvuzelas had quietened to allow for reflection on Friday night, the surprise was not that Burkina Faso had registered the most convincing victory of the tournament, but that they had taken 15 years to win a game at the African Cup of Nations.
The small nation might not have attracted a lot of attention from the English-speaking side of the football world because Burkinabes are yet to make an impact in the Premier League, but flick through their AFCON squad and it's clear that they have pedigree.
Seventeen of their 23 squad members are based in Europe, with Alain Traore among a strong contingent plying their trade in Ligue 1.
Traore became the leading goalscorer at the 2013 African Cup of Nations on Friday night with three, but it's been the striker's range of skills that has suggested he won't be a flash in the pan at this tournament.
From the cool finish right at the death against Nigeria to the thunder-bolt he unleashed to score his second on Friday - a goal which effectively killed the game off despite Burkina Faso being down to 10 men - Traore has shown that he has both a calm head and a heck of a left boot.
The technique and power required to beat the keeper from 30 yards on a horrendous pitch was something that has been woefully absent from the huge number of other long-range attempts we've seen in this tournament.
It was those characteristics which earned him a trial with Manchester United several years back following a strong performance in the Under-17 World Cup. That didn't work out, and it took him a few years to establish himself at Auxerre before moving on to Lorient, who are currently sixth in Ligue 1.
Alain's 17-year-old brother, Bertrand, is already at Chelsea. And given the attributes Alain possesses, you wouldn't bet against the 24-year-old making a similar transfer. Given the way that Newcastle are currently plundering the French league, Traore might yet wind up on Tyneside - a move he was linked with about 18 months ago.
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