Africa Cup of Nations 2012 – Team of the Round, Matchday 1

We have seen 15 goals in 8 opening games of the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations, with some fascinating fixtures and a few hints as to how the tournament might unfold. Only one game was separated by more than one goal, co-hosts Gabon beating Niger 2-0, while there have been no heavy defeats for any of the less-fancied teams, with the likes of Sudan and Botswana, and even Niger to an extent, more than holding their own against continental powerhouses like Cote d’Ivoire and Ghana.

Having seen all eight opening games, here is my Matchday 1 best XI of the tournament for Just Football. I’ve tried to mix it up a bit for variation, but overall I think this is a fair representation of the best eleven players from the opening set of games. Comfortably the worst performer, by the way, was Bakary Kone of Burkina Faso, who cost his team with a madcap display of frankly ridiculous defending. But anyway, the best of the best so far:

GK: Soumbeyla DIAKITE (Mali): Guinea managed 6 shots on target in this game and probably deserved something from the match, but Diakite held firm and made a number of fine saves. Decision-making impressive too.

RDEF: Edmond MOUELE (Gabon): Bombed down Gabon’s right hand side on the overlap and showed energy and penetration.

CDEF: Cedric KANTE (Mali): Guinea could find no way through Kante, whose influence on the team and solid tackling stood out.

CDEF: Karim HAGGUI (Tunisia): Captain who led by example in the face of what was a Moroccan attacking onslaught at times. Particularly good at reading the game and nipping in to intercept possession in Tunisia’s 2-1 win.

LDEF: Phenyo MONGALA (Botswana): Not strictly a left back but in here regardless after a very competent game down Botswana’s left hand side. Pacy and skilful, the Zebras main attacking outlet during a valiant 1-0 defeat.

CMID: Andre BIYOGO-POKO (Gabon): Picked him out in our players to watch at this AFCON earlier and he was instrumental to Gabon’s game, winning possession in the build-up to the opening goal and completing 80% of his 56 passes. Also won every tackle he went for. His partner in midfield Levy Madinda caught the eye too.

CMID: Houssine KHARJA (Morocco): Spoke of how disappointed he was to lose after this game with a crestfallen look on his face and certainly did not deserve be on the losing side here on a personal level after a very good game. Scored one and kept Morocco ticking in midfield completing 64 0f 70 passes.

CMID: JUVENAL (Equatorial Guinea): Enterprising in the co-hosts’ midfield and his use of the ball was significant in their 1-0 win over Libya.

RWIN: Christopher KATONGO (Zambia): The Chipolopolo stunned Senegal in their opening game and Katongo was fundamental to that victory with his energy, running in behind defence and creativity.

LWIN: Rainford KALABA (Zambia): Scored one and was a real handful in Zambia’s 2-1 win over Senegal. The Teranga Lions couldn’t handle his electric speed and dribbling, particularly in the first half.

ATT: Pierre-Emerick AUBAMEYANG (Gabon): Already a national hero (you can buy Aubameyang-emblazoned underwear in markets around Libreville), he only cemented his place in the nation’s hearts hearts here with a dynamic display and a fine opening goal.

Agree? Disagree? Feel free to have your say below or find us on Twitter to debate.

African Cup of Nations 2012, African Football, Andre Biyogo-Poko, Best XI, Botswana, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Houssine Kharja, Mali, Morocco, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Tunisia, Zambia