Super Eagles players missing in AFCON 2021 Best Eleven

Oviri Kelvin

The players of the Nigeria men’s senior football team failed to make the Africa Cup of Nations 2021 first-eleven team released by the Confederations of African Football (CAF) having crashed out in the knockout round of 16.

The list compiled based on the performances of the individual players in the AFCON 2021 tournament had the names of six players of the AFCON title winners, five from the host nation and five from the Egypt national team included.

Moreover, while the players of the Lions of Teranga dominated the list, Cameroonian Vincent Aboubakar consolidated the top-nine position with Egypt Mohammed Salah and Mané playing from the right and left attack-wings respectively.

While Captain Kalidou Koulibaly, Famara Diedhiou made the substitutes list, Goalkeeper Edouard Mendy, left-back Saliou Ciss, midfielder Nampalys Mendy, and Mohamed Elneny all featured in the starting lineup.

However, the inclusion of Comoros midfielder, Youssouf M’Changama, as a substitute has given calls for concern.

AFCON 2021 debutant, Comoros, crashed out in the round of 16 after qualifying from the group stage with only three points to play Cameroon; for the team to have one of its players in the substitute’s list where Nigeria recorded maximum points has given football analysts room to question the process.

AFCON TEAM 2021 BEST ELEVEN

Edouard Mendy – Senegal

Achraf Hakimi – Morocco

Mohamed Abdelmonem – Egypt

Edminf Tapsoba – Burkina Faso

Saliou Ciss – Senegal

Mohamed Elneny – Egypt

Nampalys Mendy – Senegal

Ibrahim Blati Toure – Burkina Faso

Mohamed Salah – Egypt

Sadio Mané – Senegal

Vincent Aboubakar – Cameroon

SUBSTITUTES

Andre Onana – Cameroon

Collins Fai – Cameroon

Kalidou Koulibaly – Senegal

Mahmoud Handy – Egypt

Ahmed Abo Elfetouh – Egypt

Andre Anguissa – Cameroon

Youssouf M’Changama – Comoros

Bertrand Traore – Burkina Faso

Sofiane Boufal – Morocco

Toko Ekambi – Cameroon

Famara Diedhiou – Senegal