Liverpool pair join Cameroon hitman Aboubakar in AFCON semi-finals combined XI
The semi-finals for AFCON take place over the next two days with Burkina Faso, Senegal, Cameroon and Egypt vying for a spot in Sunday's final. Here, we run through a combined XI of the final four ahead of those to have made three or more appearances at the tournament.
Mohamed El Shenawy (Egypt) - 7.19
Egypt will hope to have goalkeeping stalwart Mohamed El Shenawy back available for their semi-final meeting with Cameroon on Thursday. The 33-year-old was forced off late on in their last-16 win over Cote d'Ivoire and had been key to their progression to the knockout stages, conceding just one goal and making 15 saves prior to sustaining a hamstring injury, contributing to a WhoScored rating of 7.19.
Omar Kamal missed the 1-0 defeat to Nigeria in Egypt's opening group game, but has started their last four and impressed at right-back. Indeed, he is making more tackles per game (4) than any other player to have started at least two games at AFCON, with his hard work off the ball ensuring the Pharoahs have conceded just one goal in his four games and helping the defender to a WhoScored rating of 7.23.
Kalidou Koulibaly (Senegal) - 7.01
Issues owing to COVID-19 means Kalidou Koulibaly has featured in just three of Senegal's five matches at AFCON, but he has been solid at the back for the Lions of Teranga in meetings with Malawi, Cape Verde and Equatorial Guinea, returning a WhoScored rating of 7.01 in the process. 8.7 accurate long balls per game is more than any other outfield player with Koulibaly utilising a strength of 'passing' to good effect.
Mohamed Abdelmonem (Egypt) - 7.01
Mohamed Abdelmonem featured from the bench in Egypt's opening two AFCON games, yet has since gone on to consolidate a starting spot for the Pharoahs. The 23-year-old's best rated performance came in a 1-0 win over Sudan, where he scored the winning goal, and he has done enough to land a WhoScored rating of 7.01.
Rounding off the defence is the first of four Cameroon representatives. Nouhou Tolo has been an impressive performer going forward from left-back for the AFCON hosts, averaging 1.6 dribbles per game and returning a success rate of 80%. Opponents do all they can to limit Tolo's influence, with the 24-year-old fouled on average 2.6 times per game as Tolo secures his place in this XI with a WhoScored rating of 7.06.
Karl Toko Ekambi (Cameroon) - 7.66 rating
Karl Toko Ekambi has hit the back of the net in three of five AFCON matches, scoring five goals in total to trail only compatriot Vincent Aboubakar in the race for the Golden Boot. The 29-year-old has been solid in possession where needed, too, returning an 89.6% pass success rate to feature on the right flank with a WhoScored rating of 7.66.
Martin Hongla (Cameroon) - 7.46
No player has registered more assists than Martin Hongla (3) at AFCON, with the central midfielder providing for a teammate in all three apps at the competition so far. Those have come from an average of three key passes per game, the fourth best at the competition, with Hongla joining Ekambi in the midfield with a WhoScored rating of 7.46.
Gustavo Sangare (Burkina Faso) - 7.13
The sole Burkina Faso representative, Gustavo Sangare's WhoScored rating of 7.13 at AFCON is enough to make this semi-final combined XI alongside Hongla in the middle of the park. The 25-year-old has put in a series of solid all-action displays for the Stallions, returning averages of 1.8 interceptions and 1.6 tackles per game, all the while making 1.2 key passes and completing 1 successful dribble per game.
Sadio Mane (Senegal) - 7.41 rating
Sadio Mane has won more WhoScored man of the match awards (3) than any other player at AFCON, securing the accolade in wins over Zimbabwe, Cape Verde and Equatorial Guinea. The Liverpool star has two goals and one assist to his name at the competition, while 2.8 dribbles per game is the third best of those to have made three or more appearances at AFCON to help earn a WhoScored rating of 7.41.
Mohamed Salah (Egypt) - 7.18 rating
The fourth and final Egypt representative, and second Liverpool player in the XI, Mohamed Salah makes the grade in attack. Salah has come up clutch for the Pharoahs at AFCON, scoring the only goal of the game against Guinea-Bissau and having a direct hand in both goals in Egypt's 2-1 win over Morocco in the quarter-finals, following up his second half goal with the assist for Trezeguet's winner in extra time.
Vincent Aboubakar (Cameroon) - 8.15
The best rated player at AFCON joins Salah on the frontline in this combined XI. Vincent Aboubakar has scored more goals (6) and mustered more shots (27) than any other player at the tournament to contribute towards a WhoScored rating of 8.15. Cameroon will be hoping Aboubakar can add to his goal record when they face Egypt on Thursday.
