African XI
After reading the ridiculous claims that an African team can win the World Cup, I thought I would put together an all African team, which, on reflection would have a very good chance of winning the World Cup.
I will go into detail on why an African team won’t win a World Cup for some time soon but for now enjoy the best XI from the World’s emerging football continent.
Formation 4-3-3
Goalkeeper: There is only one pick, Carlos Kameni, a true Champo legend and, by a considerable distance, the best goalkeeper in African history. He has the agility and dexterity associated with African goalies but without the overwhelming ability to sacrifice cheap goals and get lost on crosses, he would walk into most international teams.
Right Back: Great right backs aren’t that easy to come across on the world’s largest continent but Emmanuel Eboue shades Hatem Trabelsi for the title. Both have fallen off in recent years and, at his best, Trabelsi would have walked into this team but Eboue continues to play regularly at the top level and his recent poor form has been more to do with him playing out of position than him being a bad player.
Centre Back: Kolo Toure and Joseph Yobo have the responsibility of breaking the reputation that African teams can’t defend. Both have played in the Premiership for the best part of a decade for good clubs. They are as happy with the ball at their feet as they are with their heads.
Left Back: Taye Taiwo strolls into the final defensive birth. a sweet left foot that rammed home many a ripsnorting free kick and would provide a constant attacking menace.
The defence maybe fairly light on leadership but in terms of quality and experience, it is well stocked. On the other hand this defence could never compete with a European back line.
On to the midfield; this is where the Africans really start to show their teeth.
Defensive Midfield: Africa maybe short on wingers but it is not short of quality midfielders, hence my narrow three man midfield. I also had to keep plenty of places free for Africa’s wizard attackers. Real Madrid’s Mahamadou Diarra takes the defensive midfield spot. His size, athletic ability and tackling will be crucial in protecting what is a vunerable defence. Also has the ability to start off attacks.
Central Midfield: Stupid question. Michael Essien and Yaya Toure stroll into the team as they would almost any continental team. We have known Essien’s quality for some time but Yaya Toure’s emergence has been stratespheric. Not only can he defend like a viking, he can press forward with power and pace, and he has been the scorer of some magnificent goals. Creditable mentions go to Stephen Appiah, Jon Obi Mikel, Seyda Keita, Mohamed Aboutreika and Sulley Muntari.
Strikers: The fun part. I’m going to throw tactics out of the window a little and simple pick the best three individuals. Luckily all three are so adept they could simply select any role and carry it out with ruthless efficency. I hasten to add that two of my choices would be members of a World squad. Didier Drogba. Naturally, he is currently the best striker in the world and on his day he is completely unplayable. He has come along way from being a crap centre back at Le Mans. Samuel Eto’o. Quite simply a goal machione and the victim of the worst piece of transfer business of all time. Why Barca sold him to Ibrahimovic plus $40 million is anyones guess. Aside from David Villa, no other player has been so prolific in top level football over the last 5 years. The final spot goes to Emmanuel Adebayor. Not my favourite choice but I couldn’t bring myself to pick Obafemi Martins and something nagging didn’t let me pick Frederick Kanoute. The Mali international does make more sense on second thoughts but I have to stick with Man City’s finest. Like so many great Africans, he is a mix of brilliance and incompetence but on his day, he is near unstoppable.
Would you make any changes? Perhaps there is a young upshot we should know about. Comments below.
