Five Ivorians in Cup of Nations 'dream' team

09 Feb, 2015

BATA: Brothers Kolo and Yaya Toure were among five title-winning Ivorians included Monday in the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations 'dream' team.

Defender Kolo and midfielder and captain Yaya helped Ivory Coast end a 23-year title drought by defeating Ghana 9-8 on penalties at the weekend after a goalless final in Equatorial Guinea.

The other Ivorians chosen by a panel of CAF experts were midfielder Serey Die, winger Gervinho and striker Wilfried Bony.

A couple of Ghanaians -- defender Jonathan Mensah and midfielder Andre Ayew -- were also included along with one star each from Tunisia, Algeria, Cameroon and South Africa.

Ghana winger Christian Atsu, who was voted the Most Valuable Player of the three-week tournament, did not make the team.

His cross-cum-shot goal against Guinea in a quarter-final triumph over Guinea was voted the best of the 68 Cup of Nations goals.

Other surprise omissions from the team were Equatorial Guinea goalkeeper Felipe Ovono and Ivory Coast wing-back Serge Aurier -- players who won widespread praise.

Ayew was named leading scorer as he had more assists than Ahmed Akaichi of Tunisia, Javier Balboa of Equatorial Guinea, Thievy Bifouma of Congo and Dieumerci Mbokani of the Democratic Republic of Congo, who also scored three goals each.

Team

Aymen Mathlouthi (TUN); Aissa Mandi (ALG), Kolo Toure (CIV), Jonathan Mensah (GHA), Henri Bedimo (CMR); Serey Die (CIV), Yaya Toure (CIV), Sibusiso Vilakazi (RSA); Gervinho (CIV), Andre Ayew (GHA), Wilfried Bony (CIV)

Copyright AFP (Agence France-Presse), 2015

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