Mahrez, Mane & the Africa Cup of Nations Team of the Tournament
The Premier League duo made the cut, but who else rounds out our best picks from this year's tournament in Egypt?
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ToggleMohamed El-Shenawy
Algeria goalkeeper Rais M’Bolhi won the competition, and was named CAF’s Man of the Match in the final, but El-Shenawy excelled during the early stages of the competition.
Egypt’s campaign may have ended even earlier had the 30-year-old not bailed them out against the Democratic Republic of Congo and Zimbabwe, while they also had the goalkeeper to thank for not falling behind against Uganda.
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Youcef Atal
Comfortably the best full-back in the competition, both offensively and defensively, before a broken collarbone sustained against Ivory Coast ended his competition prematurely.
Offered the overlap effectively, carried the ball well, and also contributed an assist in the 3-0 last-16 victory over Guinea.
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Kenneth Omeruo
Returned to form, and to Nigeria’s starting XI, in some style, with a series of excellent performances during the Super Eagles’ run to the bronze medal.
He scored the winner against Guinea in Nigeria’s second match, helping keep a clean sheet in both that game and the opener, while he also weighed in with an assist as Cameroon were defeated 3-2 in the last 16.
Demonstrating that he’s a man for the big occasion, Omeruo also delivered an imperious display in the play-off victory over Tunisia.
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Djamel Benlamri
Dogged, rugged, tenacious and unruffled in the heart of the Algerian defence, Benlamri proved why he’s such a fan favourite among Fennecs fans with a series of committed displays.
He played with his heart on his sleeve throughout, demonstrating a mastery of some of the game’s darker arts, while proving to be an ideal complement for the cultured Aissa Mandi.
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