World Cup Debate: CAF Team Of The Match Day
Peter Pedroncelli picks out the best performers after this weekend's action in the CAF qualifying groups for the 2010 World Cup...
Only those African players taking part in the ten qualifying games played this past weekend have been considered for this team. The eleven is as follows in a 4-3-1-2 formation, with four substitutes afterwards:
CAF Team Of The Match Day
Ammar Jemal - Romuald Boco - Hany Said - Kolo Toure
Moustapha Salifou - Mafisango Mutesa - Ndri Romaric
Issam Jemaa
Didier Drogba - Moumouni Dagano
GOALKEEPER
Kapango (Mozambique) - To keep players like Ikechukwu Uche, Peter Osaze Odemwingie, Obafemi Martins and Victor Nsofor Obinna from scoring for 90 minutes, it takes an impressive display and a goalkeeper of note, so Kapango of Mozambique gets our nod after keeping a clean sheet against the Super Eagles.
DEFENDERS
Ammar Jemal (Tunisia) - It’s not often that a defender gets onto the score sheet, but Ammar Jemal did just that when he netted the opener in Tunisia’s 2-1 victory over Kenya.
Romuald Boco (Benin) - Despite suffering a loss, Boco helped his side to keep Ghana at bay, stopping them from scoring for 89 minutes of the match in Accra after conceding early on.
Hany Said (Egypt) - The Egyptian was a solid figure at the back for his team in their 1-1 draw with Zambia, and despite receiving a yellow card, his defending was exemplary for the Pharaohs.
Kolo Toure (Ivory Coast) - Most of the play between Ivory Coast and Malawi took place in the Malawian half, but the Arsenal defender was on hand to make sure any counter attacks or hopeful dribbles were dealt with professionally, even helping out in attack on the odd occasion.
MIDFIELDERS
Moustapha Salifou (Togo) – The hard worker did well to hold the Togo midfield together against some of Africa’s finest middle men, allowing his side to celebrate a 1-0 home win against the Indomidable Lions.
Mafisango Mutesa (Rwanda) - The midfielder did well for Rwanda against Algeria, helping his side to secure a valuable 0-0 draw, and coming close to scoring on a few occasions, including a free kick in the early stages of the game.
Ndri Romaric (Ivory Coast) - Midfielder Romaric got his Ivory Coast side off to the best possible start with a first minute goal that proved to be the catalyst in a 5-0 thrashing of Malawi.
STRIKERS
Issam Jemaa (Tunisia) – The striker scored Tunisia’s winner over Kenya, allowing them to start off the next phase of the qualifying campaign in the best possible way.
Didier Drogba (Ivory Coast) - The big attacker was back with a bang for the Ivory Coast, as the big Chelsea frontman led his team to a 5-0 annihilation of Malawi with two goals.
SUBSTITUTES
Mudathir El Tahir (Sudan); Emmanuel Adebayor (Togo); Dennis Banda (Zambia); Katalena Aubameyang (Gabon).
This CAF Team of the Weekend is dedicated to the people that lost their lives on Sunday, as well as their families. May their souls rest in peace.
What do you think? Do you think someone's missed out? Let us know your thoughts.
Peter Pedroncelli and Samm Audu, Goal.com
-
Fabio Capello & FA differ on public perception
The governing body played the populist game and lost a manager who still had English football's best interests at heart but would not accept responsibility without command
-
The top 20 clubs in football's money league
Deloitte's annual publication of the richest sides in football sees a familiar Spanish duo stretch their advantage over England's finest in 2010-11
-
How Capello's exit will affect England's players
As the national team enters a new era, we take a look at the players who are now destined for big things and those potentially heading for the scrapheap under a new boss
-
Cartoon: Redknapp sentenced to England service
Goal.com cartoonist Omar Momani gives us his unique take on the football news of the day ...
-
The list of clubs that could try to sign Capello
Now that the Italian is no longer the England head coach, it is likely that a number of high-profile clubs from across Europe and elsewhere will make an attempt to lure him
