Senegal star Camara leads AFCON Team of the Round

 

With the first round of AFCON games done and dusted, we take a look at the team of the round, with stars from Mali, Egypt, Cameroon and Senegal all featuring. 

 

Djigui Diarra (Mali) - 8.02 

 

Mali opened their AFCON campaign with a 2-0 win over South Africa, with goalkeeper Djigui Diarra key. The 28-year-old saved all six shots on target he faced, all the while winning one aerial duel and claiming one high ball to return a WhoScored rating of 8.02. 

 

Hamari Traore (Mali) - 7.87 

 

The second of three Mali players to make the XI, Hamari Traore earned a WhoScored rating of 7.87 against South Africa. The 31-year-old fired the Eagles ahead on the hour mark, netting with his only shot of the game, and remained defensively sound having chipped in with three tackles, two interceptions and one clearance. 

 

Romain Saiss (Morocco) - 7.77 

 

The first of two Morocco representatives to feature in the side, Romain Saiss was key as the Atlas Lions eased to a 3-0 win over Tanzania. The experienced centre-back netted Morocco's opener on the half hour mark, all the while winning three aerial duels and making three clearances on his way to a WhoScored rating of 7.77. 

 

Stoppila Sunzu (Zambia) - 7.76 

 

While Zambia were unable to hold out for all the spoils against DR Congo in their Group F opener, Stoppila Sunzu remained steadfast for Avram Grant's side to secure a point. The 34-year-old made a total of 10 clearances in Wednesday's 1-1 draw, including one off the line, and three tackles in a solid showing. 

 

Steeve Yago (Burkina Faso) - 7.34 

 

Rounding off the defence is Burkina Faso left-back Steeve Yago. Yago managed one key pass and one dribble in their late 1-0 win over Mauritania, and defended well as he made two tackles and two interceptions to make the cut. 

 

Azzedine Ounahi (Morocco) - 8.24 

 

The second Morocco player in the side, Azzedine Ounahi netted the Atlas Lions' second in the 77th-minute to put the game beyond doubt. Ounahi scored with one of two shots and chipped in with additional returns of two key passes and two dribbles to secure his spot in the side. 

 

Senegal star Camara leads AFCON Team of the Round

 

Lamine Camara (Senegal) - 9.36 

 

Boasting a WhoScored rating of 9.36, Senegal's Lamine Camara is the AFCON player of the round. The 20-year-old netted two of Senegal's three goals in their comfortable win over Gambia, getting the better of Baboucarr Gaye with both efforts on goal, and was unfortunate not to add an assist having made three key passes in the comfortable 3-0 victory. 

 

Kamory Doumbia (Mali) - 8.36 

 

The third and final Mali player in the team of the round, Kamory Doumbia claimed the assist for Lassine Sinayoko's strike midway through the first half to put the game beyond reach for South Africa on Tuesday night. That assist came from two key passes, while the 20-year-old also made six tackles to secure a WhoScored rating of 8.36. 

 

Iban Salvador (Equatorial Guinea) - 7.80 

 

Equatorial Guinea held tournament heavyweights Nigeria to a 1-1 draw on Sunday afternoon, with Iban Salvador claiming the player of the match award with a WhoScored rating of 7.80. Salvador fired Juan Micha's side ahead in the 36th minute, netting with one of two shots, and made two key passes and two tackles in the stalemate. 

 

Mostafa Mohamed (Egypt) - 8.72 

 

While Egypt were unable to get their AFCON campaign off to a winning start, needing a late Mohamed Salah penalty to resuce a point against Mozambique, Mostafa Mohamed did enough to earn a WhoScored rating of 8.72. The 26-year-old fired Egypt ahead early on, netting with one of three shots, while Mohamed also completed three dribbles and made two key passes in a standout display. 

 

Georges-Kevin Nkoudou (Cameroon) - 8.04 

 

Completing the XI is Cameroon winger Georges-Kevin Nkoudou. Cameroon were held to a 1-1 draw with Guinea on Monday evening with Nkoudou providing the assist for Frank Magri's second half equaliser. That assist came from one of seven key passes as the 28-year-old garnered a WhoScored rating of 8.04.

Senegal star Camara leads AFCON Team of the Round