The excellent performers from this year’s competition:
Abdelwahed El-Sayed (Zamalek)
Affectionately known as the ‘Lion of Africa’ by the Zamalek faithful, El Sayed was one of the smidgeon of shining lights for the Egyptian giants. The White Knights endured a tumultuous campaign in the competition, and without the thou-shall-not-pass aura of El Sayed in goal it could have been a whole lot worse.
Godfrey Oboabona (Sunshine Stars)
The 23-year-old Sunshine Stars skipper has become a regular fixture in Steve Keshi’s Nigeria squad thanks to his assured performances in the competition, whether playing at right-back or centre-back. It’s no wonder that Sunshine Stars’ backline in the semi-finals against Al Ahly was such a contrast without him in the first leg and with him in the second leg.
Walid Hichri (Esperance)
An ever-present at the heart of the Esperance defence, the lofty centre-half was the protagonist in providing the evidence that defending isn’t a beauty competition versus TP Mazembe in Lubumbashi, pummelling every ball away with deranged brutality, particularly with his head, in what was the competition’s best individual defensive performance.
