Following the completion of the group stage of the ongoing Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, the Confederation of African Football has released the best 11 players so far, with Super Falcons duo Rasheedat Ajibade and Osinachi Ohale included.
Atletico Madrid forward Ajibade and Deportivo Alaves defender Ohale, according to CAF, have been two of Nigeria’s most prominent stars at Morocco 2022.
Both players have been involved in all of Nigeria’s three matches so far, and have been outstanding as the nine-time champions progressed to the quarter-finals despite their defeat to South Africa in their group opener.
With two goals and three assists in three games, Ajibade is one of the most prolific forwards in Morocco, while Ohale, who was voted the Woman-of-The-Match after Nigeria’s 4-0 win over Burundi on Sunday, has put on impressive performances helping the team keep clean sheets in their last two games.
Players from seven countries made the list of the Best XI, as selected by members of CAF’s Technical Study Group.
South Africa’s goalkeeper Andile Dlamini got the nod as the tournament’s leading shot stopper so far, with a defence anchored by Ohale and Zambia’s Lushomo Mweemba, with wingbacks Samia Aouni (Tunisia) and Morocco’s Zineb Redouan completing the defence.
Morocco captain Ghizlane Chebbak, leading goal scorer at the tournament with three goals, and South African captain Jane Refiloe make up a formidable midfield combination in the heart of the pitch.
Cameroon’s Ajara Nchout, who has been ruled out of the competition, occupies the left flank in attack, with Ajibade preferred on the right side of the pitch.
Botswana’s Refilwe Tholakele got the nod for the striker’s spot highest up on the pitch with impressive Zambia’s Grace Chanda just behind her in the attack.
Surprisingly, Senegal, with two wins from three in Group A, have no representative.
Credit: punchng.com
