Achraf Hakimi and Chancel Mbemba make African Team of the Year | OneFootball

During the CAF Awards 2023, which took place this Monday evening, the men’s Africa XI was revealed, with two Ligue 1 players making the team: Achraf Hakimi (25) and Chancel Mbemba (29).

The Moroccan has had yet another stunning year as one of the best players in the world at his position, off the back of his exciting World Cup run in Qatar at the end of 2022. Though his defensive output can at times be questionable, the energy and technical excellence that he brings in the offensive third has been invaluable for both club and country.

Mbemba has been an essential player for Olympique de Marseille since joining the club from FC Porto in the summer of 2022. Although Marseille’s performances have been on-and-off throughout the year, the Congolese has consistently brought his defensive assuredness and ball-playing ability, even revealing himself as one of the most prolific centre-backs in the world, scoring nine goals since the start of the year.

Africa XI: Hakimi and Mbemba complete a team full of superstars

André Onana; Achraf Hakimi, Chancel Mbemba, Kalidou Koulibaly; André-Frank Zambo Anguissa, Mohammed Kudus, Sofyan Amrabat, Thomas Partey; Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mané, Victor Osimhen

GFFN | Alfred Lalande