Desh Parthab takes a look a four AFCON stars who could light up the semi-finals of the showpiece event this week.
Who will book their place in the AFCON final come Sunday? The coveted trophy is within touching distance for Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Egypt and Senegal. Only two of these nations will progress to the final, but before that, I took a look at a few men who may have a hand in getting their nation over the semi-final speed bump.
Bertrand Traore
Burkina Faso captain Bertrand Traore was – perhaps surprisingly – rested for his country’s quarter-final bout against Tunisia. His countryman Dango Aboubacar stole the headlines in that one following his goal and sending off, meaning he is suspended for the semi-final.
Traore will have his work cut out if he is to help his country reach the AFCON final – a feat never done before. Despite only featuring in 3 of his country’s 5 tournament appearances, Traore leads his teammates for shots, shots on target and has been involved in 40% of the goals Burkina Faso have scored at the tournament.
Moreover, he is on penalty and set-piece duty so all eyes will be on the Aston Villa man come Wednesday.
#TeamBurkinaFaso’s Bertrand Traoré and his teammates getting ready for tomorrow’s semifinal match against #TeamSenegal.#AFCON2021|#CAN2021pic.twitter.com/oGmLyADSRE
— #AFCON2021🌍🏆 (@alimo_philip) February 1, 2022
Vincent Aboubakar
It has been smooth sailing for the host nation – especially with the rich vein of form Vincent Aboubakar is in. The forward has failed to find the back of the net in just 1 of his 5 tournament appearances thus far.
Not only has Aboubakar outscored every single player at the tournament, but he is the only player to have scored more than 5 goals in a single AFCON campaign this century!
In his previous run out, the striker squandered a series of opportunities, which included 3 big chances. He will be in search for goal number 7 in their semi-final match up against Egypt and I back him to get it.
𝐂𝐚𝐧𝐧𝐨𝐭. 𝐒𝐭𝐨𝐩. 𝐒𝐜𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 ❗
— SuperSport 🏆 (@SuperSportTV) January 25, 2022
Vincent Aboubakar has set #AFCON2021 alight. He now holds the record for most goals by a Cameroonian player at a single AFCON tournament surpassing Eto’s five goals.
📺 Watch the AFCON highlights here: https://t.co/I7R9xTPGbH. pic.twitter.com/rpAkAftQSm
Mohamed Salah
Despite currently being one of the most prolific marksmen in world football, Mohamed Salah has had a relatively quiet tournament. Egypt recovered from their opening day loss against Nigeria to roar into the semi-finals.
The Pharaohs have scored just 4 goals in 5 games and I put this down to the attacking trio reading off different hymn sheets. Salah’s powers remain undiminished and his sparkle showed itself in the quarters where he bagged a goal and registered an assist en route to creating four chances in that one.
Salah is the only player at the tournament to have seen more than 500 minutes of playing time and you have to wonder if this will affect him in the latter stages of the tournament.
A ROYAL ASSIST FROM THE KING 👑 @MoSalah’s incredible effort to set up @Trezeguet wins our #AssistOfTheDay 👏#TotalEnergiesAFCON2021 | #AFCON2021 | @binance | @BinanceAfrica pic.twitter.com/rCKVNN9s1v
— #TotalEnergiesAFCON2021 🏆 (@CAF_Online) January 31, 2022
Sadio Mane
Senegal have stumbled into the semi finals, but better late than never. With that being said, Mane comes into this one off the back of his best performance yet!
He is playing a bit deeper and seems to be tasked with delivering the ball to his countrymen that are leading the line. This ’creator’ position has seen him attempt over 10 dribbles since progressing out of the group stages.
Across all matchdays, Mane’s 14 successful dribbles is only bettered by Moses Simon (17) from all AFCON players. Moreover, only Hakimi (42) has won more ground duels than Mane (35) has. The inspired move by coach, Aliou Cisse, is more than justified and is paying its dividends.
That contagious smile 😁#TotalEnergiesAFCON2021 | #AFCON2021 | #TeamSenegal pic.twitter.com/Sb6nxXwG6i
— #TotalEnergiesAFCON2021 🏆 (@CAF_Online) January 31, 2022
