AFCON HITS AND MISSES
WITH the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations at the halfway mark, picks five players who stood out and those who flopped during the group stage of the continental tournament in Gabon
JUNIOR KABANANGA (DR CONGO)
The DRC are arguably the best team of the tournament so far, and key to their exceptional run in the group stages was the scintillating form of this talented attacking midfielder. The FC Astana (Kazakhstan) player scored in all three group matches, making him the top scorer in the tourney thus far.
DENIS BOUANGA (GABON)
Gabon may have been knocked out early, but the name of Bouanga is not likely to be forgotten any time soon. A winner of two man of the match awards in the group phase, Bouanga outshone his star teammate PierreEmerick Aubameyang. Bouanga was a constant threat on the wings, with his skills and ability to whip in good crosses.
FABRICE ONDOA (CAMEROON)
The young goalkeeper has been a key component at the back for the Indomitable Lions, making crucial saves that have helped them secure a spot in the quarterfinals. He was in fine form against Gabon in the final group match, as the hosts were prematurely knocked out of the competition.
SEREY DIE (IVORY COAST)
The outgoing champions missed the presence of Yaya Toure in midfield, but Die tried his best to be the driving force in the centre of the park. He covered a lot of ground in both attack and defence. He scored in the 2-2 draw with the DRC.
ROMAIN SAISS (MOROCCO)
The Moroccan number six has been solid as the protector in front of the back-four. He’s also proven to be a threat during set pieces in the opposition half, getting his name on the score sheet with a well-taken header against Togo in the north African side’s second match of the competition. –
PIERRE-EMERICK AUBAMEYANG (GABON)
The Borussia Dortmund star was expected to be one of the players to watch at the tournament, but he was a shadow of himself. Aubameyang scored in his team’s draws against Guinea-Bissau and Burkina Faso. However, he was out of his depth when he uncharacteristically missed a sitter against Cameroon, which Gabon later rued as the hosts were sent packing.
WILFRIED ZAHA (IVORY COAST)
Zaha didn’t live up to the pre-tournament hype. In Gervinho’s absence, Zaha was expected to break down defences and help the West Africans retain their title, but he struggled to transfer his scoring form to Afcon.
It is still early days for him in Ivory Coast’s colours and the Crystal Palace striker will hope to return to the tournament in future to make an impact.
YACINE BRAHIMI (ALGERIA)
Alongside the reigning African Footballer of the Year Riyad Mahrez and Islam Slimani, Porto midfielder Brahimi was seen as one of the Desert Warriors’s main players. Brahim started all three matches but the stats show that he had a 63% passing accuracy, which is far below what is expected from a top midfielder like him.
NABIL BENTALEB (ALGERIA)
The Schalke midfielder was expected to use the tournament to show Tottenham Hotspur (he’s on loan at Schalke) that he has the ability to return to England and deliver. Bentaleb, though, failed to get going in Gabon and has been described by analysts as one of Algeria’s worst players at the tourney. Touted as the next Didier Drogba, Kodjia failed to live up to this. The Aston Villa forward came into the tournament in good form having scored nine goals for Villa in England’s Championship, but he was hardly a threat. Kodjia, 27, started against Togo, but was dropped to the bench for the matches against DR Congo and Morocco.