The 2013 Africa Nations Cup came to an end on Sunday evening with Nigeria winning the trophy after beating Burkina Faso 1-0 in the finals. Sunday Mba’s 40th minute goal was just enough to hand Super Eagles their third AFCON crown in history at Soccer City stadium in Johannesburg.
As the norm is after every tournament, Kawowo Sports’ Ismael Kiyonga picks the tournament’s best X1. Interestingly, the Stallions of Burkina Faso who finished runners up for the first time ever dominate the team. Let’s get started;
GK: Vincent Enyeama (Nigeria): The big custodian is one of the reasons why Nigeria won the championship. Enyeama skippered the Super Eagles in most of the games as Joseph Yobo was relegated to the bench for most of the games and he never disappointed. He made a number of saves especially in the semi-finals and finals to deny opponents victory. He conceded only four goals in the tournament albeit one a penalty.
RB: Muhammad Koffi (Burkina Faso): The tournament lacked on flying fullbacks but Burkina Faso’s Koffi stood out at right back. He was as hard as a rock at the back and offered the same offensively. Only Ghana’s John Pantsil came close.
CB: John Boye (Ghana): John Boye had a good tournament at centre back with Ghana. Had it not been Boye, the Black Stars would have been eliminated earlier from the tournament.
CB: Bakary Kone (Burkina Faso): He has been simply the tournament’s best defender. Kone was calm, composed in possession, with good game reading skills and his aerial ability has been excellent. In a nutshell, he is a complete central defender. Kone is one of the reasons Burkina Faso leaked the least number of goals (3) in the tournament.
LB: Kwadwo Asamoah (Ghana): The Juventus player beats Mali’s Adama Tamboura for the left back slot in this team for simply one reason; his ability to find the back of the net. He offered the same offensively with good crosses and got on the score sheet twice. Simply the best left back at AFCON 2013.
MF: Charles Kabore (Burkina Faso): He has simply been the only complete box to box midfielder in the tournament. Against all odds, he skippered Burkina Faso to second place at the 2013 AFCON. He covered his back four well but again initiated most of the Stallions attacks from the centre of the pitch. For those who noticed, Burkina Faso was the only team that didn’t rely largely on wingers for creativity thanks to this man.
MF: Jonathan Pitroipa (Burkina Faso): He was voted the Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the tournament and rightly so. He was one of a few special talents in the tournament and simply the most exciting. He earns the right to start in this team.
MF: Seydou Keita (Mali): He single handily led less fancied Mali to third place. Keita scored three goals in the tournament from midfield and was just short of one to clinch the golden boot. He led by example and was simply one of the tournament’s best.
FWD: Alain Traore (Burkina Faso): Despite playing in just three games albeit coming off the bench in the first and being stretchered off in the opening proceedings in the other, Traore managed to hit the back of the net three times. He earns a place in the team.
FWD: Emmanuel Emenike (Nigeria): Emenike was simply the best striker in the tournament. The Spartak Moscow danger man netted four goals and was so instrumental in Nigeria’s championship despite missing the finals due to injury. In all games he played, he only failed to hit the back of the net in one game (against Ethiopia).
FWD: Yao Gervinho (Cote d’voire): The Arsenal man had a fantastic tournament and was simply Cote d’voire’s best player. He struck twice in the tournament and his pace and dribbling skills mesmerized defences.
SYSTEM: 4-3-3
Coach: Stephen Keshi (Nigeria): When he said that most European Coaches come to Africa simply for money claiming that it’s time for African federations to trust local coaches, most trashed his words. In the end, he was simply right as he won Super Eagles the crown they had last won 19 years ago when he was still captain in 1994. His decision to drop stars Peter Odemwengie and Martins Obafemi was not an easy one but at the end of the day, he organised his less known charges and deservedly won the competition.
Assistant Coach: Paul Put (Burkina Faso): He beats Cape Verde’s Luis Antunes to the slot for leading Ethiopia to the finals for the first time in history. He becomes the first Coach to guide the Stallions for their first wins away from home at the finals.
HONOURABLE MENTIONS:
Mubarak Wakaso (Ghana), Itumelang Khune (South Africa), Nando, Platini (Cape Verde), Adama Tamboura (Mali), Paul Keba (Burkina Faso), Emmanuel Agyemang-Badu (Ghana), Sunday Mba and John Mikel Obi (Nigeria).
GK: Goal Keeper
RB: Right fullback
LB: Left fullback
CB: Centre back
MF: Midfield
FWD: Forward
