Gabaski misses out in CAF AFCON 2021 best team of the tournament
Egypt goalkeeper, Gabaski is the notable miss in the unveiled best team of the just concluded Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon.
The 33rd edition of the Africa Cup of Nations ended on February 6 with Senegal lifting the trophy for the first time in their history at the continental showpiece. The CAF best team of the tournament has been announced with the Zamalek goalkeeper not making the list.
The 33-year old has been tipped to make the list after his heroic performance in the semi-final against Cameroon even in the final against Senegal. However, Mohamed Abou Gabal misses out from the best team of the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations, perhaps, because he did not start the tournament with the Pharaohs.
Gabaski is Egypt second goalkeeper at the tournament. Therefore, he could not possibly start the game ahead of the first choice goalkeeper, El Shenawy.
He featured for Egypt after El Shenawy, the first choice goalkeeper was injured during round of 16 clash against Ivory Coast.
He came in as a substitute for the injured player and performed excellently, saving Eric Baily’s penalty during the penalty shootout. Egypt won the game 5-4 on penalties.
He made the highlights too, for its spectacular saves against Morocco, Cameroon and Senegal. Unfortunately he could not make the list of the best team of the tournament. Mendy was picked as the best goalkeeper of the tournament and Cameroon’s Onana in the substitute list.
Perhaps if he started the tournament with Egypt he would be among, but he definitely won the hearts of football fans all over the world with his performance.
AFCON 2021 best team of the tournament
The AFCON 2021 team is dominated by Senegal (6), Egypt (5) and Cameroon (5) with two Morocco players (Hakimi and Boufal) and three Burkina Faso Players (Tapsoba, Traore, and Bertrand Traore) also making the list.
The surprise inclusion of the list is Comoros midfielder Youssouf M’Changama in the substitute section of the best team of tournament.
For the AFCON 2021 best XI – one Morocco player (Hakimi); One Cameroon player (Aboubakar), Two Burkina Faso players (I.Traore, and Bertrand Traore); Four Senegal players (Mane, E. Mendy, N. Mendy and Ciss); Three Egypt players (Salah, Elneny and Abdelmonem).
AFCON 2021 best XI
Goalkeeper: E. Mendy (Senegal)
Defenders: A. Hakimi, (Morocco); M. Abdelmonem (Egypt); E.Tapsoba (Burkina Faso); S.Ciss (Senegal)
Midfielders: M.Elneny (Egypt); N.Mendy (Senegal); I.Traore (Burkina Faso)
Forwards: Salah (Egypt); Aboubakar (Cameroon) and Mane (Senegal)
Substitutes
Andre Onana (Cameroon), Collins Fae (Cameroon), Kalidou Koulibaly (Senegal), Mahmoud Hamdy (Egypt), Ahmed Abo Elfetouh (Egypt), Andre Angussa (Cameroon), Youssouf M’Changama (Comoros), Bertrand Traore (Burkina Faso), Sofaine Boufal (Morocco), Toko Ekambi (Cameroon) and Famara Diedhiou (Senegal)
