Nigeria's Musa And Ndidi Join Mane, Salah, Aubameyang, Koulibaly In 2018 African Team of the Year
Published: January 01, 2019
The year 2018 has just gone by and football actions will resume from day one of 2019 but who were the African stars who did us proud in the just ended year in European leagues and for their national teams.
GOAL : Andre Onana
There were few African goalkeepers who caught the attention in 2018 like Mounir El Kajoui of Numancia and Morocco but Onana edges it here due to his great form for Ajax who are second in the Dutch Eredevisie behind PSV.
Kajoui and his national team were eliminated in the group stages of the World Cup and his Spanish club aren't just in the same class yet as Ajax.
In the calendar year 2018, Onana was in goal in 39 games for club and country and conceded 23 times in that period for Cameroon and Ajax.
DEFENCE : Benatia, Koulibaly, Wague
We go to the defence where African players stood out in their positions.
We have opted for a three man defence that consists of the trio of Medhi Benatia (Morocco), Kalilou Koulibaly (Senegal) and Moussa Wague (Senegal).
Benatia is the captain of the Moroccan national side and led them to the 2018 World Cup where they crashed out of the group stages like other African representatives.
But the Atlas Lions who lost Iran, Portugal and drew with Spain did the continent proud with their brand of attacking football, Benatia's experience and leadership was influential in the team's efforts in Russia.
Koulibaly who recently had racial issues at Napoli is a solid rock for club and country.
Wague became the youngest African goal scorer at the World Cup and his performance forced Barcelona to pay Belgian side KAS Eupen €3million for his services.
MIDFIELD : Ziyech, Ndidi, Mane, Partey, Musa
There are five players in our midfield, consisting of two wingbacks, two holding midfielders and an attacking midfielder.
Morocco's Hakim Ziyech, one of his country's best players at Russia 2018 and great asset to Eredivisie giants Ajax occupies the right side where he cuts infield with his left foot to devastating effect beating off 'competition' from Nigeria's Alex Iwobi while another Super Eagle Ahmed Musa who scored the national team's two goals in a 2-0 win over Iceland takes up the position at the opposing end.
Musa's second goal in that World Cup Group D game was a contender for goal of the tournament.
Nigeria's Wilfred Ndidi (Leicester) and Ghana's Thomas Partey (Atletico Madrid) man the holding midfield roles while Senegal and Liverpool's Sadio Mane gets the attacking midfield role.
ATTACK : Salah, Aubameyang
The duo of Mohamed Salah and Pierre Emerick Aubameyang who have been nominated for the African Footballer of the Year award with Sadio Mane to be announced on January 8 occupies our forward lines.
Salah is tied with Harry Kane in the English Premier League scorers' chart with 13 goals and Aubameyang is on top of that section with 14 goals after New Year day's 4-1 thumping of Fulham.
Izuchukwu Okosi
All Nigeria Soccer's Izuchukwu Okosi presents the African Team of the Year.
GOAL : Andre Onana
There were few African goalkeepers who caught the attention in 2018 like Mounir El Kajoui of Numancia and Morocco but Onana edges it here due to his great form for Ajax who are second in the Dutch Eredevisie behind PSV.
Kajoui and his national team were eliminated in the group stages of the World Cup and his Spanish club aren't just in the same class yet as Ajax.
In the calendar year 2018, Onana was in goal in 39 games for club and country and conceded 23 times in that period for Cameroon and Ajax.
DEFENCE : Benatia, Koulibaly, Wague
We go to the defence where African players stood out in their positions.
We have opted for a three man defence that consists of the trio of Medhi Benatia (Morocco), Kalilou Koulibaly (Senegal) and Moussa Wague (Senegal).
Benatia is the captain of the Moroccan national side and led them to the 2018 World Cup where they crashed out of the group stages like other African representatives.
But the Atlas Lions who lost Iran, Portugal and drew with Spain did the continent proud with their brand of attacking football, Benatia's experience and leadership was influential in the team's efforts in Russia.
Koulibaly who recently had racial issues at Napoli is a solid rock for club and country.
Wague became the youngest African goal scorer at the World Cup and his performance forced Barcelona to pay Belgian side KAS Eupen €3million for his services.
MIDFIELD : Ziyech, Ndidi, Mane, Partey, Musa
There are five players in our midfield, consisting of two wingbacks, two holding midfielders and an attacking midfielder.
Morocco's Hakim Ziyech, one of his country's best players at Russia 2018 and great asset to Eredivisie giants Ajax occupies the right side where he cuts infield with his left foot to devastating effect beating off 'competition' from Nigeria's Alex Iwobi while another Super Eagle Ahmed Musa who scored the national team's two goals in a 2-0 win over Iceland takes up the position at the opposing end.
Musa's second goal in that World Cup Group D game was a contender for goal of the tournament.
Nigeria's Wilfred Ndidi (Leicester) and Ghana's Thomas Partey (Atletico Madrid) man the holding midfield roles while Senegal and Liverpool's Sadio Mane gets the attacking midfield role.
ATTACK : Salah, Aubameyang
The duo of Mohamed Salah and Pierre Emerick Aubameyang who have been nominated for the African Footballer of the Year award with Sadio Mane to be announced on January 8 occupies our forward lines.
Salah is tied with Harry Kane in the English Premier League scorers' chart with 13 goals and Aubameyang is on top of that section with 14 goals after New Year day's 4-1 thumping of Fulham.
Izuchukwu Okosi
Latest News
- Galatasaray match Osimhen's N135b release clause but payment terms delay Napoli decision
- 'He wants to go to PL' – Getafe president says Uche prefers England despite offers from Italy
- Super Eagles camp update: 26 players train under the watchful eye of Eric Chelle
- Oguntolu and Osayande sign first professional contracts with Derby County
- Defender who scored winner against Nigeria at World Cup joins Arsenal coaching team
- Everton announce winger has signed new deal and is eligible to represent Nigeria
- Walsall defender Okagbue wanted by League One clubs Wigan Athletic and Peterborough United
- Nigeria Premier Football League 2025-2026 season contenders
- Blue Ocean FC's Eiber Cup run: 10-man start, 8-1 win and ex-Nigeria U17 coach Haruna reflection
- Confirmed: Brother of Manchester United striker Obi signs new deal with West Ham


News Categories
- African Players
- Australia/ Asia
- Belgian Championship
- Bundesliga
- Danish Football
- English Premier League
- Nigeria National Teams
- Casinos not on Gamstop
- Nigeria Premier League
- Norwegian Football
- Football Betting
- Polish Football
- VT88
- VT88
- Russian Championship
- Serie A
- Spanish Liga
- Swedish Championship
- Transfer
- Turkish Championship
- 1Win
- Ukrainian Football
- Uncategorized
- Women's Football
- SHBET
- keo nha cai
- F168
- F168
- okvip
- hi88
- hi88
- hi88
- hi88
- hi88