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“Nine under” is a term used to describe the number of holes on a golf course. The “mini golf near me” is an app that allows users to find courses nearby.
28th of January, 2022
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ESPN.com/Ed Dove/Special to ESPN.com/Ed Dove/ESP
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- Ed Dove is a writer and scout with a lifelong interest in African sports, politics, and literature. @EddyDove22 on Instagram, @EddyDoveAfrica on Facebook
Everyone has been talking about Achraf Hakimi’s mesmerizing free kicks and Vincent Aboubakar’s eye-watering tally of six goals in four games, but who are the players who have had a great impression at the Africa Cup of Nations beyond the main headlines? We’ve selected nine players that drew our attention throughout the Cameroon event.
Gambia’s collective strength and perseverance have been lauded before they strike late in games, but they also offer a significant danger moving forward.
Aside from Aboubakar, who had a role in seven goals so far this tournament, no player has had a more decisive impact than Bologna’s Barrow, who has four goals in four games.
The Scorpions’ dynamic wideman, who plays on the left wing, contributed crucial assists in 1-0 victories against Mauritania and Tunisia, and he scored Gambia’s solitary goal in both the draw with Mali and the Round-of-16 triumph over Guinea.
After Egypt’s opening setback against Nigeria, Kamal was called into the lineup to replace Akram Tawfik, and it’s no wonder the Pharaohs haven’t surrendered since.
The right-tough back’s performances — he averages 4.3 tackles per game — have enabled Mohamed Salah to express himself without having to worry about defensive duties.
Kamal then had an impact against Ivory Coast, as both Max-Alain Gradel and Wilfried Zaha were well neutralized.
His match against Zaha, which put a player who has spent his whole career in the Egyptian league against one of Africa’s most well-known talents, resulted in a resounding triumph for the defense.
The Zamalek SC winger has a few tricks of his own, and his performances in Cameroon have been exceptional, especially given he just made his international debut at the Arab Cup in late 2021.
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As the competition approaches the quarterfinal round, Ed Dove updates his predictions for who will win the AFCON.
One of the benefits of a midseason Africa Cup of Nations is that it may provide a safe haven and rebirth for players who are failing to create a name for themselves in club football.
Pepe has been a huge benefit this season, visibly enjoying himself in his four games for Ivory Coast, his vibrancy and efficacy a stark contrast to his lackluster contribution to Arsenal’s struggling season.
Pepe has three goals in the Nations Cup, which is more than he has in his nine Premier League outings this season, and the Gunners will be hoping he can replicate his AFCON success in the Premier League.
There have also been glimpses of the Lille Pepe, who could go inside, run the channels, and score a goal, or go outside the full-back, stretch the defense, and swing in a cross.
Pepe told ESPN following his Man of the Match performance against Sierra Leone, “[Playing] in Africa is a totally different sport.” “You must adjust to the heat, the pitch, and you must do it fast.”
“I’m part of a fantastic squad; I know their game and they know mine. It’s a lot of fun to play with them.”
Let’s hope he’ll be able to say the same about Arsenal before the end of the season.
Toko Ekambi has provided serious threat for the Indomitable Lions from wide areas, having a wonderful connection with left-back Nouhou Tolo and helping to bring local supporters firmly onside.
He had a good run with Lyon in the fall, scoring nine goals in eight games from September to November, before scoring only once in the two months leading up to the AFCON, but he has shown a deadly touch on home soil.
Toko Ekambi scored twice against Ethiopia in one of the best individual performances of the tournament, and after 29 minutes against goalkeeper-less Comoros, he broke the stalemate and relieved some anxieties.
– Africa Cup of Nations bracket and schedule of matches – Everything you need to know about the Africa Cup of Nations – AFCON kit rankings: Which team’s jersey is the best? – Don’t have access to ESPN? Get immediate access
Allevinah was relatively unknown outside of the French lower divisions before this season, having played in the amateur National 3 with Aviron Bayonnais in 2018 and making his top-flight league debut last year when Clermont was promoted to Ligue 1.
Allevinah scored 12 goals in Ligue 2 and was the major beneficiary of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s bad luck at the Nations Cup when he was drafted into Gabon’s squad as an obvious substitute for the Arsenal striker.
After coming off the bench to score the late — and contentious — equalizer against Ghana, the explosive forward scored Gabon’s first goal in a 2-2 draw with Morocco.
The Panthers lost against Burkina Faso, but Allevinah has given the Central Africans optimism in the absence of Aubameyang.
When questioned about Allevinah’s performance against Morocco, Gabon coach Patrice Neveu said, “The guys coming in [to replace Aubameyang] may not be as high a technical level.” “However, you need these other elements in football to be successful in a game, such as involvement, placement, respect, and compensating for your teammates’ mistakes.”
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Sarr made his international debut only last season, at the age of 29, after initially declining the chance to play for Senegal in 2018. However, he is more than making up for lost time at the AFCON, where his controlled displays from right-back have given the Teranga Lions a dimension in wide areas that could serve them well at the tournament’s business end.
Sarr, who faced Guinea in the group stage, has produced at least one goal-scoring opportunity per game (only Idrissa Gueye and Sadio Mane have created more), and his surges forward from full-back might be crucial for a team lacking in imagination.
Sarr may view the Nations Cup as an useful chance to put himself in the shop window after struggling to oust Benjamin Pavard at Bayern Munich this season.
During the extended reign of former head coach Gernot Rohr, Simon had displayed little of his Nantes form, frequently seeming to play inside himself and pick safe alternatives rather than pushing into the final third and attempting to induce fear in the opponent defenders.
Under interim head coach Augustine Eguavoen, though, Simon was a force to be reckoned with, scintillating down the left flank and perplexing full-backs throughout the Super Eagles’ brilliant group stage performance.
His movement against Egypt was significant, as Nigeria gained the lead and set the tone for the rest of the tournament, and he followed it up with a goal and an assist against Sudan in game week two.
Despite just coming in for the last half-hour of the game against Guinea-Bissau, he executed seven successful dribbles as tired Lusophone legs had no answer for his speed and deft movement.
Tunisia’s Mohamed Drager, on the other hand, did an outstanding job of silence Simon as the Eagles hobbled out of the tournament.
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1:02
Ed Dove discusses Achraf Hakimi’s outstanding performance for Morocco in the Africa Cup of Nations vs Malawi.
In a match against Morocco, the Malawi attacker scored perhaps the tournament’s best goal, lifting a 40-yard shot over Atlas Lions goalkeeper Yassine Bono and into the top right corner of the North Africans’ net.
Mhango, who is a member of the Orlando Pirates of South Africa, also scored twice against Zimbabwe in a 2-1 win that saw the Flames advance to the Round of 16 at the cost of their COSAFA opponents.
During the tournament, his future in the South African Premier Soccer League was discussed, with the striker’s agent, Mike Makaab, informing the media that he still felt the 29-year-old might secure a late-career transfer to Europe.
With a year remaining on his Buccaneers deal, don’t be shocked if a couple teams in more lucrative leagues are sniffing around.
Sangare, who was once labeled the ‘next Yaya Toure’ and connected with Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur, has faded from view since joining PSV Eindhoven rather than a team in one of Europe’s top leagues.
However, his AFCON performances in the Ivorian midfield with Jean Seri and Franck Kessie served as a reminder of his lasting skills, and why comparisons to Yaya may not be too far-fetched.
Sangare, 24, stood out for his toughness, ability to make an impact in the final third (a goal against Algeria and an assist against Sierra Leone), and inventiveness (just seven players in the tournament created more opportunities per match).
Sangare’s early AFCON departure throws a pall over his otherwise impressive year, but his cameo in Cameroon indicates he’ll be back in one of Europe’s top five leagues before long.
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