The AFCON quarterfinals are approaching. Who are the most essential players for each remaining participant in the tournament? Let's start with Cape Verde and Bafana Bafana.
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AFCON Quarterfinals: Key Operators
South Africa
Teboho Mokoena is grabbing the headlines and pulling the strings; Sphefere “Yaya” Shihoru Doing a lot of dirty work with the Sundowns guy. Together, they formed a strong core duo that could advance deep into the tournament. Mothobi Mvala has been brilliant as the center of South Africa's defence, contributing to three clean sheets in four games, but Sithole's role in protecting the back four has been invaluable. If he can keep up this form, he won't be playing in Portugal's second division for long.
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cape verde
ryan mendez He scored two goals in the tournament in Cape Verde, a country of just 590,000 people. Mendes plays club soccer in Turkey's top flight and is usually assigned penalty duties for his home country.
Nigeria
There was some criticism of the Super Eagles' high-profile striker. Victor Osimhen But that might make sense when you're a world-class goalscorer who's on almost every big club's shopping list. Osimhen scored 26 goals in Serie A last season, leading Diego Maradona's former club Napoli to their first Scudetto in 33 years. For his amazing antics, he was awarded the top scorer “Capoquinnoniere'' award. Suitors would have to pay upwards of €100m for the 25-year-old, who has been praised for his particularly powerful runs through the channels and clinical coldness in front of goal. When push comes to shove, Nigeria will rely heavily on the prowess of the man who will win their first AFCON crown since 2013.
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Angola
wide attacker Dara Gerson is the top scorer remaining in the tournament with four strikes. He has gained extensive experience across Europe with clubs in Turkey and Portugal, but his wages are currently paid by wealthy Qatari club Al Wakrah. Nigeria's central defensive trio will have their work cut out to deal with his schemes.
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mali
South Africa lost 2-0 to Mali's Eagles in matchday one, but this talented group will now have to prepare to take on hosts Ivory Coast. Mali's midfield depth is so strong that Tottenham maestro Yves Bissouma was left off as a substitute in the Round of 16 match against Burkina Faso, which is ridiculous. To further demonstrate their depth, Hoffenheim star Diadi Samasekou has the most interceptions (4.5) per 90 minutes. Like all players in this competition, he did not start against Burkina Faso. RB Leipzig Dynamo Amadou Haidara A key operator with boundless energy and smart reading of the game. The best all-rounder in the midfield.
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Ivory Coast
The hosts sent off champions Senegal in a penalty shootout and fans were dreaming of winning their first title since 2015, but everything seemed impossible as the Elephants lost their second group game. If Mali's key man is in the center of the pitch, so is Ivory Coast's key man. Frank Kessier In the tournament, he proved his ability by scoring from the penalty spot against Teranga Lions, scoring clutch goals in regular time, scoring the equalizer in the closing stages, and converting the decisive spot kick in the subsequent shootout. This is a talented player who has Atalanta, AC Milan and Barcelona on his club resume. If you search for “midfield powerhouse” on Google, his face will pop up. Kessie can do it all.
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DR Congo
Brentford's versatile attacker Yoan Wisa Always a handful for Premier League defenders. DR Congo have not won a match yet, but they have not tasted defeat, so it will be difficult for them to break through. For a maverick like Wissa, this stage of the tournament could be the difference between elimination and glory.
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Guinea
Le Havre striker Mohamed Bayo We came up with a product for Guinea when it really mattered. His 98th-minute winning goal against Equatorial Guinea was the only goal in a close round of 16 match, and he also scored in the opening group game against Cameroon. His expertise, developed at Le Havre and Ligue 1 parent club Lille, could be valuable.
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Meanwhile, hit up james freemantle For more insight, analysis and love of the beautiful game.
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