By Duncan Mlanjira
After the conclusion of the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) group qualifying, Confederation of African Football (CAF) have selected the Best XI, but none of the Flames have been considered — not even as a substitute.
Advertisement
The squad is dominated by west Africans as follows:
Goalkeeper: Mohamed Elshennawy (Egypt)
Right Back: Achraf Hakimi (Morocco)
Central Back (R): William Troost-Ekong (Nigeria)
Central Back (L): Ahmed Hegazy (Egypt)
Left Back: Ghislain Konan (Cote d’Ivoire)
Defensive Midfielder: Yves Bissouma (Mali)
Offensive Midfielder (R): Naby Keita (Guinea)
Offensive Midfielder (L): Musa Barrow (Gambia)
Right Forward: Sofiane Boufal (Morocco)
Left Forward: Simon Moses (Nigeria)
Striker: Vincent Abubakar (Cameroon)
Advertisement
Senegal’s Liverpool star Sadio Mane, who was tightly marked by the Flames’ Stanley Sanudi, has only made it as a substitutes:
Andre Onana (Cameroon)
Iban Salvador (Equatorial Guinea)
Ali Maaloul (Tunisia)
Abdou Diallo (Senegal)
Wilfried Ndidi (Nigeria)
Massadio Haidara (Mali)
Karl Toko Ekambi (Cameroon)
Nouhou Tolo (Cameroon)
Guelor Kanga (Gabon)
Amadou Diawara (Guinea)
Mohamed Salah (Egypt)
Sadio Mane (Senegal)
Comoros were voted as Surprise Team of the tournament while Equatorial Guinea, Gambia are Revelation Teams with Best Player and Best Scorer coming from the host country, Vincent Abubakar.
Comoros, who were in the same Group C with Morocco, Gabon and Egypt, qualified as best third-placed team — joining fellow Confederation of Southern African Associations (COSAFA) and did so with a historical 3-2 win over west Africa giants, Ghana in their last qualifying match.
Ghana’s loss saw them disgracefully bow out of the tournament leaving the stage to fellow west Africans — Burkina Faso, Gabon, Nigeria, Guinea, Gambia, Cameroon, Senegal, Cote d’Ivoire, Mali and Equatorial Guinea.
North African giants Algeria will not be able to defend their title having miserably performed in which they finished with a single point from a 0-0 draw with Sierra Leone and two losses 0-1 to Equatorial Guinea and 1-3 against Côte d’Ivoire.
Algeria have left the stage on the hands of fellow north Africans Tunisia, Morocco and AFCON seven-time champions Egypt 1957, 1959, 1986, 1998 and back-to-back in 2006, 2008 and 2010 — all from 25 appearances.
Chakwera when he was presented special replica jersey
Meanwhile, President Lazarus Chakwera has saluted the Flames for their historic qualification, saying the team have shown that “if we work together, fight together, support one another, there is no mountain we cannot climb as a nation”.
In a statement issued on Friday made available through Fam.com, the President said the whole country is “super proud” of the achievement and has reserved special well wishes going into the Round of 16 against Morocco on Tuesday.
Two days ago, Chakwera also hailed the Flames for their spirited performance against the continent’s top-ranked side Senegal through a video call to the team whilst in their dressing room.
He had said: “We are so proud of you. Your unwavering spirit and tenacity raised the country’s flag high. Whatever happens, walk with your heads up for the future is bright. Mwaipatsa moto.”
And in response on a lighter note, the Flames shouted in unison: “Itsanana [it’s an honour].”
Advertisement
Flames captain Limbikani Mzava and FAM president Walter Nyamilandu said they were honoured with the President’s gesture to follow the Flames with keen interest.
“We appreciate the President’s support,” Mzava said. “He has been with us all the time and we do not take it for granted.
“Let him know that we are not just contented with reaching the knockout stage, we’ll continue to fight.”
On his part, Nyamilandu said: “His Excellency has been with the team since we qualified, supporting our cause. He has been our source of inspiration as a leader and we cannot thank him more.”
Chakwera promised the Flames K1 million each if they qualified for the knockout stage, a feat that was achieved on Wednesday as one of the best third-placed teams.
