Libreville – Though many young and exciting players are taking part in the Africa Cup of Nations Gabon 2017, there is the older brigade who continue to blossom and provide much entertainment despite some of them being in the twilight of their careers. The leader of the troop is the Egyptian veteran goalkeeper, Essam El Hadary, who turned 44 on Sunday.
It is the first time that a player of more than 40 years is among the actors of the Africa Cup of Nations.
This will be his seventh AFCON in almost 20 years (1998, 2000, 2002, 2006, 2008, 2010) and has four titles to show for it.
On five final tournament appearances is Ivorian midfielder Salomon Kalou (2008, 2010, 2012, 2013, 2015).
Then there are seven players with four appearances at the final tournament.
Ghanaian quartet Harrison Afful, Jonathan Mensah, Andre Ayew and Emmanuel Agyemang-Badu; Burkina Faso duo, Moussa Germain Sanou and Bakary Kone and Malian shot-stopper Soumbeila Diakite.
Gabonese trio, Didier Ovono, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Stephane Bitseki-Moto have appeared at the on three previous occasions.
This also applies to Ghanaians Fatau Dauda and John Boye, Burkina Faso quartet Bertrand Traore, Charles Kabore, Préjulce Makoulma and Jonathan Pitroipa, Ivorian Wilfried Bony and Malian Sambou Yatabare.
In total, 110 of the 368 players present in Gabon have at least one experience at the Africa Cup of Nations.