AFCON final combined XI: Victor Osimhen leads side dominated by Nigeria
Ahead of Sunday's Africa Cup of Nations final between Nigeria and hosts Ivory Coast, we run through our combined XI of the two teams of those to have made at least three AFCON appearances. It's the Super Eagles that dominate this side, which could prove a good omen ahead of the showdown at the Olympic Stadium of Ebimpé.
Stanley Nwabali (Nigeria) - 7.07
Nigeria's semi-final hero is the first of seven Super Eagles representatives in the combined XI having earned a WhoScored rating of 7.07. Stanley Nwabali has made 14 saves across his six outings and conceded just twice to play a key role in Nigeria's progression to the AFCON final.
Nigeria's defence make up the entire defence in the AFCON final combined XI with Semi Ajayi playing his part for the Super Eagles. Indeed, the West Brom star is making 1.3 tackles, 1.2 interceptions and 1.8 clearances per game for a Nigeria side that has shipped just two goals all tournament.
William Troost-Ekong (Nigeria) - 7.21
William Troost-Ekong has scored two goals at AFCON so far, one of which came against today's opponents in the group stages of the competition. The 30-year-old's return of 22 interceptions ranks ninth to help Troost-Ekong to a WhoScored rating of 7.21, that the best between the two AFCON finalists.
Calvin Bassey (Nigeria) - 7.00
Rounding off the defence is Calvin Bassey, who has earned a WhoScored rating of 7.00 at AFCON so far. The Fulham centre-back has made the third most tackles (17) at the competition and impressively has been dribbled past just twice to ensure Nigeria have the joint-best defensive record in the Ivory Coast.
Wilfried Singo (Ivory Coast) - 6.73
The first Ivory Coast representative is versatile defender Wilfried Singo. The Monaco man has only started three of six games but has proven solid when called upon, particularly in the latter stages of the tournament. 2.8 tackles per 90 is a solid return from Singo and has helped him to a WhoScored rating of 6.73.
Ademola Lookman (Nigeria) - 7.00
Nigeria's top scoring player at AFCON makes the cut. Ademola Lookman has been directly involved in four of the Super Eagles' seven goals, netting three times, including decisive strikes in knockout stage wins over Cameroon and Angola. Lookman has also made more key passes (13) to help earn a WhoScored rating of 7.00.
Only Aubrey Modiba (29) has made more tackles and interceptions combined than Frank Onyeka (24) at AFCON so far with the Brentford man key to Nigeria's defensive resolve. If the Super Eagles to go all the way, then the 26-year-old will have proven their unsung hero at the tournament.
Franck Kessie (Ivory Coast) - 6.99
Franck Kessie has been directly involved in two of Ivory Coast's six AFCON goals, which includes a vital strike in the Elephants' penalty shootout win in their knockout stage success over Senegal. The 27-year-old has also made the 20th most tackles and interceptions combined (15) at the competition to help earn a WhoScored rating of 6.99.
Ghislain Konan (Ivory Coast) - 6.72
The penultimate Ivory Coast representative, Ghislain Konan ranks eighth for total tackles (13) at AFCON to contribute towards his WhoScored rating of 6.72. In addition, Konan has won possession in the defensive third the third most times (27) to feature.
Victor Osimhen (Nigeria) - 7.10
Victor Osimhen has scored just the once at AFCON so far despite his best efforts having fired off the most shots (24) at the competition. The 25-year-old has been a handful for defences in Ivory Coast having won the most aerial duels (28) to return a WhoScored rating of 7.10.
Sebastien Haller (Ivory Coast) - 6.95
Partnering Osimhen on the frontline is Ivory Coast striker Sebastien Haller, who despite making two sub appearances, has done enough to return a WhoScored rating of 6.95. On his first start at AFCON, Haller netted the host nation's only goal in their semi-final 1-0 win over DR Congo, while 4.2 aerial duels won per 90 ranks eighth at the Africa Cup of Nations.
