By our Reporter
Without an iota of doubt, 2022 was surely the year when Bounou displaced Edouard Mendy as Africa’s top goalkeeper, with the Sevilla man excelling as the Chelsea stopper’s club career at least has begun to unravel.
That is, Bono’s Rojiblancos again enjoyed the best defensive record in La Liga last term—conceding just 30 goals in 38 league games—while the Moroccan’s performances on the continent resulted in yet another deep European run, even though they ultimately fell short against West Ham United in the Europa League.
And the Canada-born stopper was also one of the outstanding goalkeepers of the World Cup, with his calm assurance, leadership and superb stopping among the key reasons why Morocco enjoyed such a sterling defensive record en route to the Final Four.
Hakimi’s first season at Paris Saint-Germain wasn’t entirely straightforward, but he nonetheless ended the year with a winner’s medal while continuing to establish himself as one of Europe’s top right-backs.
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His dovetailing with Kylian Mbappe at PSG has been one of the key elements of the French giants’ play this season, while Hakimi—like Bono—also starred for the Atlas Lions at the World Cup.
Arguably even more impressive were his performances at the Africa Cup of Nations, with sublime goals against Gabon and Malawi sending the Lions through to the quarter-finals.
The first of two centre-backs who have featured at full-back for stages of this year, it’s somewhat surprising how much criticism Bassey has received since signing for Ajax considering his youth and the upsides to his game.
Thus, he became Rangers’ most expensive sale when he departed for the Dutch giants in the summer, having been part of the side that reached the Europa League final and won the Scottish Cup.
Also, the 22-year-old was named in the Europa League Team of the Tournament only months after making his debut for Nigeria’s Super Eagles, and after a red card on his Ajax debut, has begun to settle in Amsterdam.
Of course, his time in the Dutch capital—wherever it leads—will surely help Bassey’s development in the years to come.
