The 16th African Youth Championship in Rwanda has again afforded the soccer world a glimpse of some of the continent's top stars in the making. Ghana's Michael Essien, Nwankwo Kanu and Austin 'Jay-Jay' Okocha of Nigeria, and not to forget, Benni McCarthy from South Africa are some of the stars who have featured at this under-20 tournament. In Rwanda, Ghana's Ransford Osei continued from where he left off at the 2007 African Junior Championship in Lome, Togo, by emerging as the top scorer of the competition with seven goals. He was both scorer and provider as the Black Satellites won their third championship in fine style against a Cameroonian side, who struggled to come to grips with the Ghanaians' smooth passing game. His brace against Cameroon again underlined what a clinical finisher he truly is. Osei presently stars for Israeli club Maccabi Haifa. His handlers had apparently stalled on better offers after the 2007 Fifa Under-17 Championship and so his transfer to Israel. It will not be long before he moves to a bigger league in Europe. There were some eye-catching displays from other Black Satellites players like Emmanuel Badu Agyemang and Jonathan Mensah. But Asante Kotoko wing-back Samuel Inkoom will certainly be one of the biggest discoveries at Rwanda 2009. Inkoom was outstanding when he made his full international debut in a friendly against Tunisia in Accra in November, and he again showed both his defensive capability as well as attacking verve at the African Youth Championship. He created Ghana's two goals in the final against Cameroon. Cameroon may have fallen short in the final but they equally lined up several exciting prospects like Ekeng Ekeng, Cotonsport strikers Brice Owona and Jacques Zoua Daogari, as well as the hard running Massina Germain 'Tiko'. 'Tiko, who plays his football for German club Duisburg, was outstanding in the semi-final against Nigeria. He delivered the cross from which Zoua netted the opening goal before he now got on the score sheet with an opportunistic strike after the Nigerian goalkeeper and his defender hesitated by the goalline. South Africa's Amajita only managed fourth place in Kigali, but most observers saw several rough diamonds, who with a bit of polish will go on to shine through before long. The obvious one was without a doubt big striker George Maluleke. He was South Africa’s match-winner in the thrilling 2-1 win over Nigeria in a group tie, and struck again in the third-placed match against the same team only for the young South Africans to lose to a more determined Nigerian team. The Supersport United striker has got a lot going for him - tight ball control, good physique and powerful shots in both feet. South Africa skipper Ramahlwe Mphahlele was adjudged as the tournament's best player and deservedly so because of his assured performance in the heart of the defence - strong in the tackle, a great organiser and unbeatable in the air. He was a tower of strength for this young but exciting team, and one would wonder what would have become of the Amajita had his club, Moroka Swallows, not finally agreed to release him for the competition. Ajax Amsterdam midfielder Dylon Claasen reminds you of a younger Steven Pienaar, not just because of the colour of his skin and the braids, but also his skills and endeavour in the engine room. Orlando Pirates Michael Morton and Thulani Serero from Ajax Capetown also caught the eye. It is little wonder that South Africa plan to make this team the core of their team for the 2012 Olympics in London as well as the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. Portugal-based Rabiu Ibrahim emerged as Nigeria's leading scorer with two goals from his midfield position. A lot was expected of him in Rwanda and he delivered on some of the promises in a rather average side. His drawback though was that he was often too elaborate when dancing past his markers. Nigeria boasted of several quality youngsters, from Hamburg's Macauley Chrisantus to Lukman Haruna of Monaco, but with most of them yet to feature for their various European clubs, these players struggled for match fitness in the high altitude of Rwanda. Rwanda's most outstanding performer was APR defensive midfielder Jean Mugiraneza. 'Migi' set the ball rolling with an early goal as the Junior Amavubis stormed to a 2-1 victory over Mali in the opening game of the competition. Watch the space too for Egypt's goalkeeper Ahmed Adbelelty from ENPPI and striker Mohamed Talaat, who features for Ahly Dubai, as well as Mali's Moctar Fall from the local side 11 Creatures