Super Eagles ranked most valuable AFCON team

The Super Eagles have been listed as the third most expensive side of the 24 teams featuring at the forthcoming 2021 Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon, with star-studded Senegal and Ivory Coast in first and second places.

This is according to football statistics website, Transfermarkt.

According to the website, “the total value of Nigerian players in the squad for the AFCON is worth €244.28m, with Leicester City midfielder Wilfred Ndidi the Eagles’ most valuable player at €60m, followed by Kelechi Iheanacho and Samuel Chukwueze at €20m respectively.”

Everton forward Alex Iwobi and Almeria striker Sadiq Umar are valued at €18m each. Germany-based Taiwo Awoniyi has a valuation of €15m while Frank Onyeka and Joe Aribo both have a tag of €10m apiece.

Senegal are currently ranked the most valuable African side at the AFCON. The Lions of Teranga are valued at €341.90m, with Liverpool forward Sadio Mane’s valuation reaching €80.

Centre-Back Kalidou Koulibaly is €45m while goalkeeper Edouard Mendy is valued at €32m.

With Wilfried Zaha (€40m), Nicolas Pépé (€40m), Sébastien Haller (€40m) making the Ivory Coast squad for the AFCON, Les Éléphants were ranked as the third most valuable squad in Cameroon.

Despite the omission of €35m Hakim Ziyech, Morocco are still the fourth ranked team in the competition, thanks to Paris Saint-Germain right-back Achraf Hakimi, who is valued at €70m, taking the overall valuation of the Atlas Lions to €218.10m.

Algeria, 2019 champions, complete the Top 5 most valuable teams at the AFCON at a valuation of €185.40m.

Despite having Mohamed Salah, who is valued at €100m, eight-time African champions, Egypt could only settle for the sixth spot with a team valuation of €161.80m.

Others are Mali (€152.35m), hosts Cameroon (€142.70m), Ghana, (€127.55m) and Guinea (€95.55m).

The 33rd edition of the continental showpiece kicks off on Sunday.

PUNCH/Mercy Chukwudiebere