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AFCON 2019

AFRICA’S BEST: AFCON XI

African players are making a massive impact on global football, we pick Africa’s best in an AFCON XI.

19 June 2019, by: Carl Lewis

AFRICA’S BEST: AFCON XI

Africa’s best are making a massive impact on the global football stage, we pick an AFCON XI ahead of this year’s Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt.

With so many options, it wasn’t easy but we’ve settled for an attacking 4-3-3. There are substitutions because of the amount of quality spread across the continent. Players in our squad have made remarkable seasons for their respective clubs in Europe while others are on the cusp of their ‘big break’.

Have a look at our squad and see if you would make any changes.

What a season it’s been for the 23-year-old. His reputation has skyrocketed after his role in Ajax winning the league and cup double. Add some glittering performances in Ajax’ run towards the Champions League semi-finals and you can see why he is being linked to Europe’s best clubs.

Onana has previously turned down a call-up to AFCON but has recommitted to Cameroon and since affirmed his status as the nations number one.

The wily and experienced defender has been an ever-present for some of Italy’s biggest clubs. He spent six successful years with Juventus, where he played he played a key role in helping the club to six consecutive Serie A titles between 2013 and 2018.

He made the move to rivals Inter last year and it’s been a good move for club and player. Asamoah is a versatile and energetic, his ability to play in defence and in midfield is a testament to his technical ability.

On loan from Real Madrid, Hakimi spent the season on loan at Dortmund and turned out to be one of their best players before injury struck.

Still only 20, Hakimi provided 4 assists in the league and 3 in the Champions League. He’s talked about returning to Madrid a season earlier as the manager who gave him his Madrid debut, Zinedine Zidane, is back at the helm.

The Senegalese is one of the most highly rated and recognisable defenders in world football. He was named Serie A’s best defender this year and has become an icon in Naples.

No doubt, this summer transfer window will see his name linked with Europe’s elites once again. If he is to move, you can expect the transfer fee to surpass Virgil van Dijk’s.

Benatia has played for some of Europe’s best clubs in Juventus, Bayern Munich and Roma.

Weirdly enough he finds himself playing in Qatar. Despite his latest transfer, Benatia remains one of Africa’s best and has the technical quality to match his physical nature.

Sangare was a stand out for a struggling Toulouse this season. Just 21-years-old, the Ivorian is a powerful central midfielder with a technique to match.

He has drawn comparisons to some of Africa’s greatest midfielders in Yaya Toure and Michael Essien.

Pace, strength, technique and a solid passing range – watch our for Sangare in this AFCON.

Another all-action midfielder who has everything necessary to become a top central midfielder. His exploits for Leicester has seen him linked to Manchester United.

Ndidi is just 22-years-old but plays with the maturity of a veteran. He is tall and athletic and uses all these characteristics in his incredible defensive work. He also has an excellent passing range and the ability to make darting runs into the box.

Ziyech is a tricky and dynamic playmaker that can play on the right or through the middle. He soars into AFCON 2019 after a stunning season with Ajax Amsterdam.

The 26-year-old had a spat with coach Herve Renard ahead of the last AFCON but the pair have kissed and made up.

Since then, Ziyech has become the creative focal point for the Moroccans and a key player in a team that qualified for the World Cup last year.

The Liverpool attacker is one of the best in Europe currently using his pace, elasticity and newfound scoring boots to good use. Having just won the Champions League and the Golden Boot in Premier league, his career is on an upward trajectory.

This is will be his third AFCON and he will no doubt be determined to correct the wrongs of the previous two campaigns.

For the second year in a row, Salah finished as the Premier League’s top scorer alongside teammate Said Mane in another excellent season for Liverpool.

Salah has reinvigorated Egyptian football and the hopes of the host nation rest on his shoulders. He is the main man for his country and they will hope for a repeat of his Liverpool exploits.

Pepe is on the cusp of making a huge transfer after a superb breakout year with Lille. He grabbed 22 goals and 11 assists playing a huge role in Lille finishing second in Ligue 1.

Pepe enjoys taking on defenders and as his stats suggest, he can be lethal in front of goal but also has a great eye for a defence-splitting pass. Big tournament for the 24-year-old.

GK – Denis Onyango – Uganda & Mamelodi Sundowns

LB/RB – Ola Aina – Nigeria & Torino

CB – Salif Sane – Senegal & Schalke 04

CM – Thomas Partey – Ghana – Atletico Madrid

CM – Idrissa Gueye – Senegal & Everton

FW – Wilfred Zaha – Ivory Coast & Crystal Palace

FW – Riyad Mahrez – Algeria & Manchester City

The Frenchman is a legend on the continent having has won two of the last four AFCON titles. He is on the hunt for an unrivalled third AFCON win with three different countries.

As the Zambian coach, he led them to a shock AFCON title in 2012 and was at the helm of the winners again in 2015, this time with a powerful Ivory Coast side.

Renard’s is in charge of Morocco this time and has already done good work with the impressive squad. He reached the quarter-finals of AFCON 2017 and qualified for last year’s World Cup.

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