Mensah named in AFCON Best XI

Category: Local Sports Created on Monday, 13 February 2012 13:33 Published Date Written by GNA Hits: 340

Libreville, Feb. 13, GNA - Black Stars captain John Mensah earned some respect for Ghana after being named in the best eleven of the 2012 Orange Africa Cup of Nations.

     The central defender was the only Ghanaian in the team of the tournament constituted by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) Technical Study Group (TSG) of the 28th edition of the continental flagship football event.

      Compatriot Kwadwo Asamoah is among the substitutes in the team dominated by the finalists Cote d’Ivoire and Zambia each contributing four players for their eforts.

     The Ivorians have defender Jean-Jacques Gosso Gosso,  midfield duo of Yaya Toure and Yao Kouassi Gervais “Gervinho” and striker Didier Drogba.

     Winners Zambia also contributed Goalkeeper Kennedy Mweene, central defender Sunzu Stoppila , captain Christopher Katongo and Emmanuel Mayuka.

     The others are Malian duo of Seydou Keita and Adama Tamboura.

     The substitutes include Boubacar Barry (Cote d’Ivoire), Fernando da Gracia Gomez (Equatorial Guinea), Youssef Msakni (Tunisia),  Manucho (Angola), Pierre Emerick Aubameyang (Gabon),   Sadio Diallo (Guinea), Cheick Tidiane Diabate (Mali), Eric Mouloungui (Gabon), Houssine Kharja (Morocco), Mudathir Eltaib Ibrahim (Sudan) and Rainford Kalaba (Zambia).

     Meanwhile, Zambia captain Katongo was adjudged the Most Valuable Player of the tournament and strike-partner Mayuka as the top scorer. Mayuka got the nod with the highest number of assists after finishing on three goals apiece with Ivorian Drogba, Manucho, Aubameyang and Diabate.