Chukwuebuka Nnorom

Debating the Hypothetical: Analyzing the Best African Football Team That Could Have Been – Part 1 by Ebuka African football has produced some of the most exciting and talented players in the world. The continent has consistently produced players who have gone on to achieve great success at the highest levels of the game, including Didier Drogba, Samuel Eto'o, Yaya Toure, George Weah, Jay-Jay Okocha, and Mohammed Salah. It is intriguing to consider how much more powerful African countries might have been if they had been represented by some of the top footballers in the world. In this series, we'll examine fictitious starting elevens for some of the top African countries by choosing the top players from the entire continent as well as elite players that could have played for them. Join us as we explore the hypothetical teams for Cameroon, Nigeria, Egypt, Ghana, and beyond! In this article, we would explore the hypothetical line-up of the Indomitable Lions if they had some world-beaters in their ranks. The national football team of Cameroon has a distinguished history in African football. They have won five African Cup of Nations championships and were the first African team to make it to the World Cup quarterfinals in 1990. One can only speculate as to how much stronger Cameroon might have been had they included particular players in their national pool. Cameroon would have had an exceptionally strong defence in a 4-2-3-1 formation, starting with goalkeeper Andre Onana. One of the top goalkeepers in the world, Onana currently represents Inter Milan and would have benefited the Cameroon team with his shot-stopping skills and command of the area. I say “would have” simply because his skillset isn’t appreciated by the Cameroonian head coach as we saw in the last World Cup. Joel Matip and William Saliba, a formidable centre-back duo, would have been in front of him. Given that Matip's last appearance for the Cameroon football federation was in 2015 at the age of 24, his problems with the Cameroon football federation are well known, but we dare to dream about what might have been. Matip, who currently plays for Liverpool, is known for his strength and aerial ability as well as his calmness on the ball, no doubt a world-class player, while Saliba, who in current form is among the best centre-halves in the premier league dare I say in the world. Saliba has played a huge part in Arsenal’s surprise title charge. Following a series of loan stints in the French league which allowed him to develop his game away from the spotlight of the premier league, Saliba is back at Arsenal looking well on his way to being one of the best centre-backs in the world for the next decade, he highly regarded for his technical skill and passing ability. Collin Fai, a full-back for Al-Tai FC of the Saudi Professional League, and Nouhou Tolo, a full-back for Seattle Sounders of the American Football League, would have offered pace and defensive tenacity on the flanks. These five players would have made up a defensive line that would have been extremely challenging to break down. Aurelien Tchouameni and Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa would have made a strong midfield duo for Cameroon. Tchouameni, a young and dynamic midfielder for Real Madrid, the current champions league winners, has been hailed as one of French football's most promising young players. He is a complete midfielder, or what might be called a Pogba regen, due to his exceptional physicality and technical ability. The more seasoned player Zambo Anguissa, who currently represents the front-runners for the Scudetto, is known for his tenacious and competitive style of play. His capacity to recover the ball and thwart enemy attacks would have given Cameroon a strong dynamic midfield foundation. Together, Tchouameni and Zambo Anguissa would have formed a balanced and complementary midfield partnership that could have dominated games and controlled the tempo of play. With a front four of Kylian Mbappe on the left wing, Bryan Mbeumo on the right wing, Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting acting as a shadow striker, and Vincent Aboubakar serving as the captain and primary striker, Cameroon's attack would have been a force to be reckoned with. Mbappe, currently playing for Paris Saint-Germain and one of the best players in the world, would have given Cameroon lightning-quick speed and the ability to easily beat defenders; he already has a world cup title to his recognition. Mbeumo, a Brentford player, would have provided a different kind of threat on the other wing with his quick feet and direct running. With his vision and passing prowess, Choupo-Moting, who currently represents Bayern Munich, would have filled in to be a creative force at the number 10 position, opening up opportunities for his teammates. Last but not least, Captain Aboubakar would have led the line with his physicality and precise finishing. He currently plays for Beşiktaş in Turkey. These four players could have combined to create an attack that could have destroyed even the bestprepared defenses. In conclusion, Cameroon has a long history in African football and has given birth to some of the best players on the continent. It's amazing to think about how much more potent the team might have been if they had some of the top African athletes of their generation on the team. We have looked at how Cameroon could have had a strong defence with Onana, Matip, Saliba, Fai, and Tolo, a balanced and effective midfield duo with Tchouameni and Zambo Anguissa, and an explosive attack with Mbappe, Mbeumo, Choupo-Moting, and Aboubakar. While it is impossible to know exactly how this team would have performed on the pitch, one can only imagine that they would have been a force to be reckoned with and could have gone on to achieve great things in African and world football.