Sports

FULL LIST: CAF AFCON Starting XI

Published

2 years ago

February 14, 2024

Editor

The Confederation of African Football has released the full list of the CAF African Cup of Nations Starting XI.

The tournament which took a month, commenced on January 11 and ended on February 11, 2024, in Abidjan, Ivory Coast.

The host nation, Ivory Coast, won the 34th edition of the tourney to clinch their third AFCON title.

The Elephants beat the Super Eagles of Nigeria in a tense final that ended 2-1, courtesy of goals from Franck Kessie and Sebastien Haller, who both cancelled out William Troost-Ekong’s first-half lead.

CAF, the continent’s football governing body, on Wednesday, released the full list of the Starting XI of the concluded tourney.

Three Nigerian players – Captain William Troost-Ekong, Ola Aina and winger, Ademola Lookman, made the list.

The 30-year-old captain had three goals in the competition and also bagged the Player of the Tournament award.

Aina was also included in the Starting XI to show how well he had performed in the tournament, starting all seven matches for Nigeria.

Lookman, who plays at the Italian club, Atalanta, registered three goals for the Super Eagles and emerged as one of Nigeria’s best performers in the competition.

Three players from Ivory Coast – Jean Michael Seri, Ghislan Konan and former Barcelona midfielder, Franck Kessie, were also featured in the list.

Also, the Democratic Republic of Congo had two players on the list – Chancel Mbemba and Yoane Wissa.

South African goalkeeper, Ronwen Williams, and midfielder Teboho Mokoena were featured on the list.

Ivory Coast’s manager, Emerse Fae was selected as the coach for the starting XI.

Equatorial Guinea’s striker, Emilio Nsue, bagged five goals and won the Puma Golden Boot award.

See the Starting XI below:

Ronwen Williams (South Africa)

Defenders

Ola Aina (Nigeria)

Ghislan Konan (Ivory Coast))

William Troost-Ekong (Nigeria)

Chancel Mbemba (DR Congo)

Midfielders

Teboho Mokoena (South Africa)

Jean Michael Seri (Ivory Coast))

Franck Kessie (Ivory Coast)

Strikers

Yoane Wissa (DR Congo)

Sports

AFCON 2025: Four Teams Qualify For Round Of 16

Published

1 day ago

December 29, 2025

Editor

South Africa became the fourth team to confirm their place in the last 16 of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.

Bafana Bafana edged a five-goal thriller against rivals Zimbabwe, winning 3-2 on Monday evening.

Tshepang Moremi opened the scoring for Hugo Broos’ side, before Tawanda
Maswanhise equalised in the 19th minute.

Lyle Foster restored South Africa’s lead five minutes after the break, but Aubrey Modiba drew the match level in the 73rd minute.

The winning goal came with eight minutes remaining, as Oswin Appollis converted from the penalty spot.

The result took South Africa to six points, one behind group winners Egypt. Both sides have qualified for the next round, alongside Nigeria and Algeria.

Sports

AFCON: Uganda Coach Lists Three Things His Team Must Do Against Nigeria

Published

1 day ago

December 29, 2025

Editor

Uganda head coach Paul Put has outlined three key areas his side must focus on to secure victory against Nigeria when both teams clash in Tuesday’s Africa Cup of Nations tie.

Put’s side must claim all three points against the Super Eagles or risk an early exit from the competition. The Cranes have just one point in Group C after their opening two matches.
A win against Nigeria could see Uganda qualify as one of the best third-placed teams.

However, speaking at his pre-match press conference on Monday, Put said that for Uganda to overcome Eric Chelle’s side, they must “concentrate be very prepared and win their duels” against Nigeria.

“We have to go for it [win against Nigeria] and we will do it,” Put said.

“Nigerians play at a high level in Europe, so we have to be very concentrated, very prepared and win our duels, which is one of the strong points of Nigeria.”