After the conclusion of the Africa Cup of Nations’ last 16, we’ve taken a look at the round’s standout performers, with Angola the dominant side after their 3-0 victory over Namibia. There are also places in the XI for players from South Africa, Guinea, Cape Verde, Nigeria and Senegal.
Ronwen Williams (South Africa) - 7.22
With a clean sheet against 2022 World Cup semi-finalists Morocco, South African stopper Ronwen Williams earns a spot in the best XI for the Africa Cup of Nations’ round of 16. Williams made two saves and maintained a pass success rate of 79%, to earn a WhoScored rating of 7.22.
Ibrahim Diakite (Guinea) - 7.91
Stade de Reims right-back Ibrahim Diakite makes the XI having provided the assist for Guinea’s solitary, winning goal against Equatorial Guinea on Sunday. The 20-year-old also completed five successful dribbles, to take home a WhoScored rating of 7.91, the highest of any player on the pitch.
31-year-old defender Pico was crucial as Cape Verde narrowly progressed past Mauritania in the round of 16, making three tackles - one as the last man - along with an interception, a clearance and a block. Pico also won a total of eight aerial duels and completed five accurate long balls, to return a WhoScored rating of 7.59.
Calvin Bassey (Nigeria) - 8.36
Despite Ademola Lookman’s brace, the player of the match in Nigeria’s 2-0 win over Cameroon was Fulham centre-back Calvin Bassey, who made a total of four tackles, one interception and four accurate long balls. The 24-year-old also won four aerial duels and provided the assist for his side’s second goal, in the 90th minute.
Lining up on the left side of defence is Angolan full-back To Carneiro, whose efforts helped his nation to a comfortable 3-0 victory over Namibia. Carneiro contributed with three aerial wins, a tackle, an interception, four clearances, one key pass and four successful dribbles, to post a WhoScored rating of 7.86.
Joining Carneiro in the XI is Angolan teammate Fredy, who plies his trade in Turkey with Antalyaspor. Fredy provided the assist for both of Gelson Dala’s first-half goals, while he also made three clearances and one successful dribble, to earn a WhoScored rating of 8.16.
Teboho Mokoena (South Africa) - 7.77
In the heart of midfield is South Africa’s Teboho Mokoena, who converted a stunning free-kick in late stoppage time to seal his nation’s progression to the quarter-finals of the Africa Cup of Nations. In addition to his late strike, Mokoena made a tackle, one key pass and completed six accurate long balls, to land a WhoScored rating of 7.77.
Tottenham midfielder Pape Sarr makes the XI after his display in the 1-1 draw against Côte d’Ivoire, where he made five tackles, two interceptions and two successful dribbles, but ultimately his efforts weren’t enough, as the defending champions crashed out to the hosts on penalties.
Ryan Mendes (Cape Verde) - 8.12
The match-winner for Cape Verde against Mauritania on Monday was 34-year-old winger Ryan Mendes, who plays his club football for Fatih Karagumruk in the Turkish Super Lig. Mendes kept his composure to convert an 88th minute penalty and his send his nation through to the quarter-finals, while he also contributed with four tackles, two clearances, one key pass and five successful dribbles, to yield a WhoScored rating of 8.12.
Completing the front three are two Angolan attackers, starting with 31-year-old striker Mabululu, who put the Black Sable Antelopes out of reach when he found the net in the 66th minute. Mabululu also made one key pass and completed two successful dribbles, to return a WhoScored rating of 8.34.
With a WhoScored rating of 9.94, Angola winger Gelson Dala is the Africa Cup of Nations player of the round for the last 16, after his sensational display in the 3-0 win over Namibia. Dala, who plays for Al-Wakrah in the Qatar Stars League, was directly involved in each of Angola’s three goals, scoring the opening two before turning provider for Mabululu to seal victory halfway through the second half.
