Golden Eaglets’ Yahaya Lawali makes U-17 AFCON group stage Best XI

Yahaya Lawali, Golden Eaglets right back, has been named among CAF’s best XI at the group stage of the U-17 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

The African football governing body’s technical study group (TSG) released the list on Saturday.

Saliou Dia Serigne, Senegal’s coach, was named the gaffer of the best XI.

“His defence is made up of Nigeria’s right back Yahaya Lawali, who was twice named man of the match in the group stages. Burkina Faso’s Lassina Traore has been selected as the best left back so far in the competition,” CAF said.

“Senegal’s Fallou Diouf, part of a backline that has not conceded a single goal in the tournament so far, and Morocco’s skipper Abdelhamid Ait Boudlal have been named as the best two centre-backs.

“Morocco’s anchorman Adam Chakir has been crucial for the Atlas Cubs so far in the competition, dictating the tempo and sits at the basement of the Best XI’s midfield.

“Mali’s Angel Martial Tia, scorer of the opening goal against Congo in the quarters as well as one half of the Wumba Niati Congolese twins, Abiga, make the midfield three.

“Senegal skipper Diouf, Burkina Faso’s Souleymane Alio and Mali’s Mamadou Doumbia complete the front three. Doumbia has scored three goals so far in the tournament while Alio has two.”

The Nduka Ugbade-led team crashed out of the tournament after losing 2-1 to Burkina Faso in the quarter-final on Thursday.

With the ouster from the tournament, the five-time world champions will not participate in the 2023 FIFA U-17 World Cup later in the year.

Mali, Senegal, Morocco and Burkina Faso are the four countries that will represent the continent in the global tournament.