2015 AFCON Team Of The Tournament

The 2015 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) has finished and while many went home disappointed with early elimination, AFKSports has compiled a slideshow of the best eleven players in the tournament.

Felipe Ovono Ovono – Goalkeeper – Equatorial Guinea

Felipe Ovono Ovono is verily the revelation of the past couple of months. Though he plays his club football in Equatorial Guinea, with Deportivo Mongomo, the young goalkeeper remained unfazed when facing acclaimed African superstars. Time and time again, Ovono Ovono pulled off spectacular saves, though he must learn to cull the few hazardous forays he tried in the knockout stages. One such risk costed his team a penalty kick against Ghana, which was a portent for a ruthless Ghanaian onslaught.

Serge Aurier – Right Fullback – Cote D’Ivoire

Though he started the tournament poorly, visibly at fault for the first two goals Cote D’Ivoire conceded, Serge Aurier came into his own down the line. His coach Herve Renard pulled him aside before the Ivorians’ crunch match against Cameroon and reminded him to focus on his defensive responsibilities, especially with buccaneering fullback Henri Bedimo opposite him. Aurier executed his coach’s demands, and since Cote D’Ivoire’s move to a 5-3-2, he has been one of the better players in the tournament. His unending energy allows him to attack without reticence and defend with enthusiasm.

John Boye – Centre-Half – Ghana

Following Ghana’s 2014 World Cup debacle, John Boye was the Gold Coast’s principal persona non grata. The Erciyesspor defender was pictured smooching a wad of cash and, perhaps unfairly, became the face of a cash-hungry cast who demanded their bonuses in the midst of a global competition. But under Grant, Boye was afforded a mulligan, and he has regained the hearts of Black Stars fans with his defensive solidity. Ghana did not concede a single goal when Boye was on the pitch during the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations.

Kolo Toure – Centre-Half – Cote D’Ivoire

Pundits legitimately questioned Cote D’Ivoire’s defence before the tournament began, as they had shipped the most goals of any team on the continent during qualifiers. Two changes, seem to have put sealer in Les Elephants’ porous defence: 1) A tactical switch from a 4-3-3, to a 5-2-3, and 2) the return of Kolo Touré from international retirement. What the Ivorian backline lacked, perhaps, was communication previous provided by Didier Zokora and Toure. His re-introduction to Renard’s starting eleven prompted an immediate improvement as only four goals were conceded in six matches.

Baba Rahman – Left Fullback – Ghana 

Much like Aurier, Baba Abdul Rahman is a freewheeling, attack-minded fullback, who has had to reconcile his offensive urges with his defensive responsibilities. His biggest accomplishment, besides finishing a finalist, will have been cementing a spot in the Ghanaian eleven. Jeffrey Schlupp and Kwadwo Asamoah have previously been played out of position ahead of Baba, but his vertiginous rise to prominence has seen him stake a claim for a starting berth in the foreseeable future.

Andre Ayew – Left Midfielder – Ghana 

He is only twenty-six years of age, but Andre ‘Dede’ Ayew has comported himself admirably as captain of Ghana, when Asamoah Gyan was not available. Ayew has led by example by finishing the tournament’s co-top scorer. He has also added a vocal dimension to leadership skills, at times bellowing at his younger brother – Jordan – for not joining the wall quick enough, or at others riling up the young Razak Brimah during the penalty shoot-outs. The Olympique de Marseille star was inconsolable after defeat in the final with tears pouring down his face. But his disappointment is indicative of his will to win, so there is no doubt he will have his day soon enough.

Yaya Toure – Central Midfielder – Cote D’Ivoire

Often criticized for not replicating his club performances in the international arena, Yaya Toure has finally silenced his critics by leading Cote D’Ivoire to their second ever major continental title. The Manchester City maestro completed the highest number of passes of any outfield player, and chipped in with delightful set-pieces, a cool penalty kick, and a net-buster that Kidiaba surely heard before he saw. The four-time African player of the year has started this calendar year as impressively as possible, and he seems to be getting better with age.

Chancel Mbemba – Defensive Midfielder – DR Congo

Usually stationed in the heart of defence, Chancel Mbemba deputized for Florent Ibenge in defensive midfield and did so with relative ease. The Anderlecht centre-half, who some fans claim is the most talented defender they’ve seen in Belgium since Vincent Kompany, fought valiantly, completing a high number of tackles and some jaw-dropping skills that no one knew he had in his locker. If Mbembe plans on playing in midfield, however, it is imperative he improve his long-range shooting.

Javier Balboa – Right Midfielder – Equatorial Guinea

Though he was formed in Real Madrid’s Castilla, and he spent some time with the first team and champions Benfica, many analysts overlooked Balboa’s quality. The attacking midfielder, who now plies his trade at Estoril, was fantastic from the opening ceremony on. Nzalang Nacional had but one real tactic in attack: ‘Get the ball to Balboa in open space and let him operate.’ He was not exactly creating scoring opportunities at will (two of his three goals were penalty kicks), but his all around play was sublime.

Yassine Chikhaoui – Attacking Midfielder – Tunisia 

Yassine Chikhaoui was arguably the best player in this edition of the AFCON. From the off he bailed the Carthage Eagles out of sticky situations. Against Zambia, he won Tunisia three points with a soaring header. In the next match against DR Congo, Chikhaoui put in the best individual performance of the tournament, notching an assist to Ahmed Akaichi. He was even behind the North Africans’ go-ahead goal against Equatorial Guinea in the quarter-finals, but a controversial officiating decision unwound his good work.

Wilfried Bony – Striker – Cote D’Ivoire

Cote D’Ivoire seem to have finally found the man that will replace Didier Drogba. After experimenting with Seydou Doumbia and Lacina Traore, Renard finally placed his faith in Wilfried Bony, who has lived up to expectations. Bony, who recently became the most expensive African player ever after signing with Manchester City, was involved in more goals in this AFCON than any other player. His hold-up play was effective, he greatly improved his aerial prowess, and his supercilious relationship with Gervinho and Max-Alain Gradel troubled many a defence.

Honourable Mentions

Robert Kidiaba’s and Razak Brimah’s performances will understandably elicit praise. Kidiaba was fantastic in the consolation final, where DR Congo’s ensured a third place finish and Brimah pulled off a number of smart saves to help Ghana on the path to the final.

In defence Eric Bailly was strong in the tackle and good on the ball in his first major tournament. Jonathan Mensah is unlucky not to make the team of the tournament, but his compatriot Boye was slightly better. Aymen Abdennour was imperious too.

Nabil Bentaleb was probably Algeria’s best performer in midfield, and Prince Oniangue helped Congo to an impressive quarter-final finish. Christian Atsu was a threat from distance throughout the tournament and is finally making good decisions in the final third.

Thievy Bifouma and Ibrahima Traore single-handedly dragged their nations out of the group stage, while Dieumerci Mbokani, and Asamoah Gyan chipped in with three crucial goals apiece.