Vincent Aboubakar, Michael Ngamaleu Ngadeu - Cameroon

What is your Peak moment of 2017 AFCON?


DEFENDING CHAMPION’S OUSTER IN GROUP PHASE


Cote d'Ivoire's Golden Generation eventually laid their hands on the Africans Cup of Nations in 2015 under Herve Renard, but any chance of a repeat was quickly blown away.

A new-look Elephants side that had talented youngsters, headlined by Wilfried Zaha, Franck Kessie, Jean Seri and the experience of Salomon Kalou, led by Michel Dussuyer put up an underwhelming title defence as they couldn't scale through to the second round after finishing third in Group C, with two points from three games.


KABANANGA WINS TOP SCORER PRIZE 


Reigning African Player of the Year, Riyad Mahrez, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Sadio Mane were few of the many names considered for verdicts as regards who would emerge from Africa's premier competition with the highest number of goals...but, in came a relatively unknown Junior Kabananga.

The DR Congo marksman isn't only well-built to bully defenders in aerial and physical challenges, he also has a sweet left foot. However, his three goals were only enough to see the Leopards through to a quarter-final finish as Ghana progressed with a 2-1 win.


TUNISIA SHOCK EXIT TO BURKINA FASO



Henryk Kasperczak's men had eight corner kicks, enjoyed more of the possession and were tipped to make it through to the last four only for late strikes from Aristide Bance and Prejuce Nakoulma to dampen their hopes.

Tunisia put up a great performance but lacked the cutting edge to put any of their 13 shots [three on target] past youngster Hervé Koffi between the Stallions post.

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GHANA RETURN HOME EMPTY-HANDED


Despite the fact that Ghana lost to Cameroon 2-0 to be denied a spot in the final of the competition, going into the third-place final they were still tipped ahead of a dogged Burkina Faso side that crashed to Egypt.

The Black Stars' hope of laying a claim to a consolatory third spot finish was met by an Alain Traore beauty in the 89th minute of the encounter, thus, handing the Stallions the bragging rights for the third best team of Gabon 2017.


CAMEROON LIFT FIFTH AFCON TITLE


Just like Kabananga, Cameroon were not invited for the verdict party. Hugo Broos's side were outsiders when it came to talks of a probable winner for the Afcon in Gabon.

Rejected by key players such as Joel Matip, Eric Choupo-Moting and the likes, and lacking a proven star prior to the tournament, the Indomitable Lions relied on the tricks and pace of a certain Christian Bassogog, with captain Benjamin Moukandjo and Vincent Aboubakar providing support as they coasted to a fifth Afcon triumph.

They did so in breath-taking fashion coming from behind to halt Egypt in the final with Aboubakar's emphatic strike at the death.


LEGENDARY EL-HADARY RECORD-BREAKING FEAT


Failing to add another winner’smedal to his trophy cabinet was not enough to take the shine off the legendary Essam El-Hadary.

After replacing Ahmed El-Shenawy in Egypt's first match of the tournament - two days after his 44th birthday, the goalkeeper became the oldest player to ever appear at the continental finals. Against Burkina Faso in the semifinal, he saved two penalties to ensure the Pharaohs' progress to the final of the tournament.

However, any hope of adding a fifth Afcon winners' medal to his collection was dampened after his side lost 2-1 to Cameroon in the final.

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