5 days ago
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No Mohamed Salah
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The 35th edition of the Africa Cup of Nations gets underway this weekend in Morocco. There’s 24 nations participating with the ultimate dream of lifting the coveted trophy on January 18th. Egypt have won the competition more than any other nation and Mohamed Salah will be determined to lead his country to their eighth crown.
The Liverpool superstar has never won AFCON but Egypt aren’t the favourites with Morocco holding that tag. Walid Regragui’s men made history by becoming the first African side to reach the semi-finals of the World Cup in 2022. Achraf Hakmi was recently crowned the African player of the year and the Morocco captain is also the most valuable player at AFCON. And from using Transfermarkt’s famed market values, we’ve compiled the most valuable XI from players at AFCON.
AFCON most valuable combined XI
Eight different nations are represented in the combined AFCON XI with a total valuation of €559 million. Victor Osimhen will carry the weight of expectation for Nigeria after they failed to qualify for the World Cup and the Galatasaray striker leads the line. Egypt’s Omar Marmoush and Cameroon’s Bryan Mbeumo are the two wingers with both playing for Manchester clubs.
Ademola Lookman, Carlos Baleba and Pape Matar Sarr form the midfield trio. Brighton star Baleba has endured a difficult season so far but he remains the most valuable midfielder at AFCON. Hakimi is the most valuable player in the team and he’s part of the back four with Yehvann Diouf the least valuable star in the team at €9m.
