U-17 AFCON: Golden Eaglets defender Lawali makes Best XI
The Confederation of African Football on Sunday released the best 11 players for the recently-concluded U-17 Africa Cup of Nations tournament in Algeria, with highly sought-after Golden Eaglets captain Yahaya Lawali the only Nigerian named in the squad.
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As revealed by the Technical Study Group of the competition, the CAF Best XI was dominated by the victorious Senegal team with four players.
Despite Nigeria’s agonising exit from the U-17 AFCON in Algeria following their 2-1 loss to Burkina Faso in the quarter-finals, Lawali’s performances in four games left a lasting impression that earned him a well-deserved place in the prestigious line-up.
The 16-year-old right-back showcased his talent and versatility, earning Man-of-The-Match honours against Zambia and Morocco.
In goal, Senegal’s Serigne Diouf exhibited exceptional skills, conceding only two goals throughout the tournament.
Completing the formidable backline alongside Lawali are Senegal’s Serigne Diouf, who commanded the central defence with authority, Hamid Eid from Morocco and Lacina Traoré at left-back.
In midfield, Rachid Ouedraogo contributed significantly to Cameroon’s performance to earn his spot, while Abdou Aziz Fall (Senegal), the midfield maestro, also got a nod in the centre of the field, as well as Malian Sekou Kone.
