The group stage of the 2021 AFCON is over and all 16 teams in the knockout stage of the competition are known....CONTINUE READING
Here is a team of the best performing players in the group stage of the 2021 AFCON.
Goalkeeper
Ibrahim Mounkoro (Mali)
Mali’s goalkeeper, Ibrahim Mounkoro conceded one goal in three games at the AFCON at that was from the penalty spot.
He saved a penalty in the Eagles first game against Tunisia as he won the Man of the Match award. The goalkeeper then kept clean sheets in the following games.
Right back
Achraf Hakimi (Morocco)
Achraf Hakimi helped Morocco keep clean sheets in their first two group games. In the third game against Gabon, the Atlas Lions conceded two goals but the PSG defender scored a stunning free-kick, which is arguably the goal of the tournament so far, to earn a point for his nation.
Centre back
Esteban Rodriguez (Equatorial Guinea)
Equatorial Guinea played in a group that contained giants Algeria and Ivory Coast and still managed to qualify with only one goal conceded.
Centre back Esteban Rodriguez help Equatorial Guinea achieve this feat and even scored a goal in a shock win over defending champions, Algeria.
William Troost-Ekong (Nigeria)
Nigeria conceded only one goal in three group games and it was via a penalty.
No team has been able to breach the Super Eagles defence from open play and Troost-Ekong, who scored a goal in the final group game against Guinea-Bissau, has been the leader from the back for Nigeria.
The defender was the Man of the Match in Nigeria’s final group game against Guinea-Bissau.
Left back
Massadio Haidara (Mali)
Massadio Haidara helped Mali keep two clean sheets in three games as the Eagles finished top of Group F. The left back also scored a good goal in Mali’s final game against Mauritania.
Midfielders
Naby Keita (Guinea)
Naby Keita has been one of the stars of the 2021 AFCON. The Guinean won the Man of the Match award in his nation’s first two games and then scored a stunning goal in the third game.
Unfortunately, the Liverpool midfielder is suspended for Guinea’s round of 16 match after accumulating two yellow cards in the group stage.
Wilfred Ndidi (Nigeria)
Wilfred Ndidi is one of the top passers and tacklers at the AFCON. The Nigerian did a great job in helping the Super Eagles dominate the midfield in all group games in the competition.
Wingers
Nicolas Pépé (Ivory Coast)
Nicolas Pépé has enjoyed an AFCON to remember so far. The Arsenal winger recorded two goals and one assist in three group games, winning the Man of the Match award on one occasion.
He will be looking to continue his fine form in the knockout stage against Egypt.
Moses Simon (Nigeria)
Moses Simon has made a name for himself as the king of dribbles at the AFCON. His 15 dribbles completed in 3 games is second to none in the competition.
He has a goal and an assist to his name so far with a Man of the Match award to show for his efforts.
Forwards
Vincent Aboubakar (Cameroon)
Vincent Aboubakar is the early contender for the player of the tournament after scoring 5 goals in three games.
The Cameroon captain is yet to fire blanks in any game in the tournament so far and it will be interesting to see which nation will be the first to stop him.
Musa Barrow (Gambia)
The Gambia’s Musa Barrow has a goal contribution in each of the three games the nation has played at the AFCON. The forward has a goal and two assists for his nation in the competition and also won a Man of the Match award.
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