Johannesburg - The new African champions, Cameroon, are well-represented in Caf’s Team of the Africa Cup of Nations.
The Indomitable Lions have three players, the most by a single country, in the best XI of the Afcon that ended on Sunday.
Cameroon defied the odds to lift the trophy after eight players snubbed them. In the absence of those players, new stars such as Christian Bassogog emerged.
The 21-year-old bulldozed his way to be named Player of the Tournament. He was a force with his pace and power.
He led the Indomitable Lions’ attack, delivering the killer blow in the 2-0 win over Ghana to help Cameroon reach an Afcon final for the first time since 2002.
Bassogog troubled the Egyptians in Cameroon’s march to lift the Afcon for a fifth time.
But the biggest star for Cameroon was goalkeeper Fabrice Ondoa. The 21-year-old produced a number of good saves to keep his team in the tournament.
The Sevilla reserve keeper controlled the box with authority. His confidence grew with each game. He was beaten only once in the knockout stage, by Egypt’s Mohamed Elneny in the final.
Elneny’s friend, Mohamed Salah, is one of two Egyptians in the XI. The other is Ahmed Hegazy. The towering Hegazy was one of the standout players for the Pharaohs.
He protected goalkeeper Essam El-Hadary, as he went over five hours without conceding in this tournament.
Hegazy is partnered with Michael Ngadeu-Ngadjui in central defence.
The Indomitable Lions’ centre back was solid at the back and scored two crucial goals, including the winner against Guinea-Bissau in the group stage after making a goal-line clearance.
CAF Team of the Tournament
Goalkeeper:
Fabrice Ondoa (Cameroon)
Leftback:
Modou Kara Mbodji (Senegal)
Central defender:
Ahmed Hegazy (Egypt)
Central defender:
Michael Ngadeu-Ngadjui (Cameroon)
Rightback:
Daniel Amartey (Ghana)
Central midfielder:
Charles Kabore (Burkina Faso)
Central midfielder:
Mohamed Salah (Egypt)
Leftwinger:
Bertrand Traore (Burkina Faso)
Rightwinger:
Christian Atsu (Ghana)
Striker:
Christian Bassogog (Cameroon)
Striker:
Junior Kabananga (DRC)