AFCON 2019: Mikel, Leon Balogun Lead Flop XI Of The Group Stages

The 2019 Africa Cup of Nations has reached the round of 16 stages with many teams hoping to book a berth to the quarter-final stages. However, the group stages have seen high profile players, who have been expected to shine at the tournament struggle to meet up with the standard.

Soccernet’s x-ray the following players that failed to shine at the ongoing biennial tournament in Egypt.

Mikel Obi (Nigeria)

Regarded as one of the most experienced players in the Super Eagles squad, Mike Obi has struggled to find his feet in the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt.

This was quite obvious in the games against Burundi and Madagascar, where the former Chelsea midfielder could hardly put a pass through or defend solidly for the team.

Leon Balogun (Nigeria)

After failing to make the starting line up in the team’s 1-0 win over Burundi, Leon Balogun was later restored to the team against Guinea where he also failed to keep pace with the Guinean players.

However, his lack of match practise with Premier League side, Brighton was later exposed as he practically gifted Madagascar the opening goal when he slipped outside the 18-yard box. Lots were expected from him but he gave little or nothing to the team.

M’Baye Niang (Senegal)

Yet to hit the mark expected of him at the Africa Cup of Nations, Niang seems to have left his goal scoring boot with his club in France.

Although Senegal has qualified to the knockout stage of the bi-annual tournament, the French-born Senegalese player has failed to deliver the goods so far.

Wilfred Bony (Ivory Coast)

The Ivorian international still remain a shadow of himself as he has literally contributed nothing to the team’s qualification to the round of 16 in terms of goals.

A lot was expected from the former Swansea goal poacher but he has failed to deliver the goals despite his experience in the team.

Wahbi Khazri (Tunisia)

The former Sunderland star has disappointed so far going by his wealth of experience in the colours of the senior national team and with Ligue 1 side Saint-Étienne.  He has not performed to the required expectation that he is known for at the Africa Cup of Nations and has affected the Carthage Eagles performance at the competition.

Mubarak Wakaso (Ghana)

A star at the last edition of the Africa Cup of Nations where his darting runs from the left flank and creativity in the midfielder helped the Black Stars of Ghana reached the semi-final of the tournament in 2017.

In this current edition, Wakaso has not found his bearing despite featuring in all Ghana’s three group F fixtures.

Christian Bassogog (Cameroon)

One of the dependable players Cameroon was expecting to grab the headlines due to eyes for goals. But then, Bassogog has not really hit the form most fans expected from the Henan Jianye star in the Chineses Super League.

Yannick Bolasie (DR Congo)

DR Congo may have qualified to the round of 16 of the Africa Cup of Nations, however, the team’s star man, Bolasie is yet to rise to the occasion.

Known for his quick runs and ability to create chances for his teammates, the Everton star has let his team down.

Clinton N’Jie (Cameroon)

A notable name in the Marseille team last season, N’Jie hasn’t really played a key part in the team’s qualification to the round of 16 despite featuring in all group F matches.

Cheikhou Kouyaté (Senegal)

The Crystal Palace star midfielder and captain of the senior national team known for his physical and aerial abilities have not been able to complement the efforts of Liverpool man, Sadio Mane in the attack.

Victor Wanyama (Kenya)

Strong and defensively solid, Wanyama was Kenya’s biggest player in the Africa Cup of Nations but couldn’t make his presence count by helping his team out of the group stage.