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7 African players who should have made the 55-man shortlist

A critical look at African players who should have made the 55 man shortlist for the FIFPro World XI.

No African player making the shortlist for the wide array of players selected for the world best lineup for the year 2017 has been a topic of discussion.

Here are six African players who could have made the list.

Sadio Mane

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The Liverpool winger was incredible for his club side and in that regard was included in the PFA team of the year. Sadio Mane proved to be instrumental for the side as he was greatly missed when he suffered a knee injury in April 2017 and missed the rest of the season.

Mane was a key player for Senegal in the 2017 African Cup of Nations although the side had to bow out in the quarter finals by losing to eventual champions Cameroon. The one importing to note is that Liverpool did get a private jet to fly Sadio Mane from Gabon immediately after their elimination.

The 2015 CAF African Player of the Year has been producing glittering performances for his club Bourssia Dortmund in the Bundesliga. The output the Gabonese put up in terms of goals for his side was remarkable. Aubameyang did finish the German football season on a high with being the top scorer of the German Bundesliga with 31 goals and also scored the winner which ensured Dortmund lifted the “DFB Pokal”

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Victor Moses

The Nigerian Super Eagles winger was a delight to watch at the English Premier League for the Champions Chelsea. Victor Moses was made to play the right wing back positions and he bossed it like it was a basic craft. Moses could not be at the African Cup of Nations but paid his dues at the national level in the World Cup Qualifiers.

Naby Keita

The Red Bull Leipzig star has risen through levels of football stardom due to performance in the 2016/2017 Bundesliga season.

The Guinea international in 31 appearances had 8 goals and 7 assist in the Bundesliga. He also recorded 117 take-ons and effected 169 tackles.

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Naby Keita was also adjudged runner-up to the season’s Player’s Player award to Robert Lewandowski.

Due to the wonderful season, he had with the German a fee in the region of pounds has been agreed for Keita to join Liverpool in the 2018/2019 season

Riyad Mahrez

Algerian winger surprisingly had an average season in 2016/2017 as compared to the previous season which saw him emerge the PFA Player of the Year. Mahrez however did put some showing especially in the year 2017 he ended the season with 10 goals and 5 assists in all competitions.

This was characterized with glimpses of terrific display in a number of games in the year under review

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Christian Bassaggog

Bassagog should only make the list for one tournament and one tournament only The African Cup of Nations. The Cameroonian were the least fancied team to annex the trophy looking at the squad the side paraded.

The 21 year old plied his trade at Aab Aalborg in Denmark before the African Cup and landed a move to China after Africa’s grandest showcase. The youngster performing in the midst of experienced Riyad Mahrez’s and Sadio Mane’s emerged the best player of the tournament is indeed a remarkable feet.

Mohammed Salah

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The Egyptian's early days at Liverpool has been one with promising future but it drags back to history too. Salah was instrumental for AS Roma before he fell into the spotlight of Liverpool.

For a list of 55 good players across the globe, it wouldn't be out of line if Salah made the cut.

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