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
