Ivory Coast hero Simon Adingra makes AFCON Team of the Tournament
After a thrilling month of action at the Africa Cup of Nations, host country Ivory Coast were crowned champions after coming from behind to beat Nigeria in a dramatic final. Here, we run through our team of the tournament, which includes players from South Africa, Angola, Cape Verde, DR Congo, Mali and Ivory Coast.
Ronwen Williams (South Africa) - 7.34
South African stopper Ronwen Williams, winner of the Goalkeeper of the Tournament award, takes his place in our best XI after exceptional displays in the knockout stages. The 32-year-old helped his side to clean sheets in five of their six matches throughout the competition, while his penalty shootout heroics in the quarter-final against Cape Verde will live long in the memory. Williams’ remarkable efforts over the last month see him return a WhoScored rating of 7.34.
Khuliso Mudau (South Africa) - 6.87
Remaining with Bafana Bafana, right-back Khuliso Mudau earns a spot in our team of the tournament, having started all seven of his nation’s matches on their way to a third-place finish. Mudau’s strongest performance came in the quarter-final victory over Cape Verde, where he made five tackles, one interception, two blocks and five clearances. The 28-year-old ends the tournament with a WhoScored rating of 6.87, making him the competition’s best rated right-back.
Kialonda Gaspar (Angola) - 7.19
The first of three Angolan representatives in our best XI is defender Kialonda Gaspar, who played in each of his nation’s five matches throughout the tournament, before they bowed out against Nigeria in the quarter-finals. Across the competition, Gaspar won a total of 26 aerial duels, made four tackles, eight interceptions and a whopping 37 clearances on his way to a WhoScored rating of 7.19.
Logan Costa (Cape Verde) - 7.15
Partnering Gaspar in the centre of defence is Cape Verde’s Logan Costa, who earns a spot in the team of the tournament having posted a WhoScored rating of 7.15. Costa’s strong defensive displays helped his side reach the quarter-final stage, while his highest rated performance came in the 2-2 group stage draw with Egypt, where he won three aerial duels, made four tackles, two interceptions, seven clearances and three blocks to land a WhoScored rating of 8.18.
Arthur Masuaku (DR Congo) - 7.11
Former West Ham left-back Arthur Masuaku completes our back four, having impressed with his performances for DR Congo, who reached the semi-finals, only to lose out to eventual champions Ivory Coast. Masuaku played every minute for his country across the tournament and scored in their round of 16 victory over Guinea, while he also made 15 tackles and 11 key passes to earn an overall WhoScored rating of 7.11.
20-year-old midfielder Kamory Doumbia, who scored four goals in a Ligue 1 match for Brest back in December, continued to show his promising talent at this year’s tournament. The Malian midfielder provided an assist in each of his country’s first two group games - against South Africa and Tunisia - while he started both of their knockout stage matches. In total, Doumbia made 14 tackles, three interceptions, eight key passes and three successful dribbles in an impressive breakout tournament for the youngster.
Teboho Mokoena (South Africa) - 7.09
South African midfielder Teboho Mokoena returned a WhoScored rating of 7.09 for his performances throughout the Africa Cup of Nations, notably those against Namibia, Morocco and Nigeria. Mokoena scored in both the round of 16 and the quarter-final, while he made a total of nine tackles, six interceptions and 13 key passes at the heart of the Bafana Bafana midfield.
Angolan midfielder Fredy earns a spot in our best XI, having provided assists in the wins over Burkina Faso and Namibia. The Antalyaspor man also contributed with eight tackles, seven clearances and 11 key passes to register an overall WhoScored rating of 7.08.
Simon Adingra (Ivory Coast) - 7.24
Despite only starting two matches, Brighton winger Simon Adingra’s impact at this year’s Africa Cup of Nations was crucial. The 22-year-old scored a 90th-minute equaliser in the round of 16 clash with Mali, which Ivory Coast would go on to win in extra time, while he also assisted both of his nation’s goals in the 2-1 final win over Nigeria to clinch glory. Along with his decisive contributions in front of goal, Adingra also made 13 key passes and completed nine successful dribbles throughout the competition to earn an overall WhoScored rating of 7.24.
Leading the line in our team of the tournament is Angolan attacker Gelson Dala, who netted four goals in five matches for his country as they reached the quarter-final stage for the first time since 2010. Dala’s four goals helped him take home a WhoScored rating of 7.40, making him our player of the tournament.
Ryan Mendes (Cape Verde) - 7.09
Completing our best XI is Cape Verde winger Ryan Mendes, who had a direct hand in three of his nation’s eight goals at this year’s tournament. Mendes scored in the 3-0 win over Mozambique, before providing an assist against Egypt and crucially finding the net again in the 1-0 victory over Mauritania in the round of 16. Mendes’ three key passes and 11 successful dribbles saw him end the tournament with a WhoScored rating of 7.09.
