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The former West Indies captain, Richie Richardson, has welcomed the appointment of Ottis Gibson as the new head coach of the WICB,

Andrew Miller02-Feb-2010The former West Indies captain, Richie Richardson, has welcomed the appointment of Ottis Gibson as the new head coach of the WICB, and believes that the over-arching nature of his new role is precisely what cricket in the Caribbean has been crying out for.In a departure from previous appointments, Gibson has been given responsibility not only for the top-level West Indies sides, but all representative teams across the Caribbean. Announcing the appointment on CBC Radio on Monday, the chief executive of WICB, Ernest Hilaire, explained that Gibson would be given “an opportunity to stamp a particular style of coaching a West Indies way”.That announcement is music to Richardson’s ears. “I’ve always said that whoever comes in has to be responsible for cricket throughout the Caribbean, and not just the top Test players,” he told Cricinfo. “The coach has to be at the top of a pyramid that goes right through West Indies cricket, from the grass-roots right through to the top. That’s how we are going to make a difference.”Richardson, who was Gibson’s captain during his Test debut at Lord’s in 1995, believes that the new man has the presence and personality to thrive in the role, as well as the fundamental coaching skills that have been honed during his lengthy stint in English cricket, firstly at Durham and since 2007 as England’s bowling coach.”I have no doubt that he will do well,” said Richardson. “Ottis is a person who gets on with other people and players, and when he was playing for West Indies, he was a good team man. He’s a very passionate cricketer and a very good coach, and I just hope he gets the support he needs, from the WICB, and the people throughout the Caribbean.”It doesn’t matter how good you are as a coach if you are just given the best players,” he added. “If those best players came from nowhere, you are going to struggle. [The coach] has to be able to do something at the grass-roots level, so that he knows the young players as they come through the system and, when they reach the highest level, he already knows how to work with them, and they know exactly what is expected of them.”He just has to be given the time and the opportunity to prove himself, because I know he’s going to give everything. He loves West Indies cricket and he wants to see them do well.Gibson, who expects to be in situ in time for the home series against Zimbabwe next month, is West Indies’ first full-time appointment since the former coach, John Dyson, was sacked in August following the team’s strike-affected defeat against Bangladesh. However, the team is currently on a relative high, having silenced many of their critics with a spirited performance in a 2-0 Test defeat in Australia before Christmas.Central to West Indies’ current fortunes is their captain, Chris Gayle, who put his role in the player dispute to one side as he carried his bat for a magnificent 165 at Adelaide before following up with a blistering 72-ball 102 at Perth. His relationship with Dyson was never entirely smooth, but Richardson is confident that Gibson’s easygoing style of man-management will appeal to his laid-back nature.”It’s very important for the captain and coach to have a good relationship and understanding, but I’ve no problem that they’ll see eye-to-eye,” said Richardson. “Chris Gayle is a very cool guy, Gibson is a people’s person, so I don’t envisage any problems. They may have differences, but they will realise the importance of working as a partnership for the betterment of the team, and of West Indies cricket.”It so happens that Gibson is the first West Indian head coach since Roger Harper was in charge of the side at the start of the millennium, and follows on from a trio of Australians in Bennett King, David Moore and Dyson. Richardson, however, does not believe his nationality is as significant as his job specification.”I’ve said before, it doesn’t matter who coaches the team, as long as that person is going to contribute to the development of West Indies cricket,” he said. “When you bring in high-level coaches and pay the big money, but then they only coach the Test team, then that is misguided. It’s good that he’s a West Indian, but most importantly, that he is responsible for cricket throughout the region.”I’ve never had any doubts about the talent that we produce, my concern was always about the structures and systems that we had in place. We’ve never had the right or proper structures for [nurturing] the grassroots in the Caribbean. That’s what we got to look at, how to get the young players coming through.”

The Birmingham Mail’s Ashley Preece has revealed that Aston Villa manager Steven Gerrard is looking to lure Leon King away from former club Rangers.

What’s the story?

Writing initially on Twitter, he said: “Some transfer news into @birmingham_live prior to kick-off as Gerrard looks to take full advantage of Leon King’s contract situation at Rangers. The 17-year-old was promoted to first-team sessions under SG. Cut-price deal for #avfc via @RichardCusackBM”

Then, in a follow-up article for The Birmingham Mail, Preece added: “Aston Villa are considering a move for Rangers youngster Leon King – who they could get for just over £200k. The Ibrox side are in talks with their talented 17-year-old over a new contract. The young defender has still to agree an extension with the Scottish champions and as it stands he runs out of contract in the summer and could move in a cut-price cross-border switch.

“King is seen as one of the top, young talents north of the border and he is already being tracked by a host of top English clubs, including Manchester United, Newcastle United and Leicester City.”

Gerrard’s influence

While Dean Smith oversaw the signings of the likes of Leon Bailey and Emi Buendia in particular over the course of the summer transfer window, there’s no questioning that having Gerrard as your club’s manager brings with it a far bigger pull and attraction.

The former Liverpool skipper is an icon and someone who players around the world will be familiar with, and whether it’s a young starlet like King, or a more established first-team star, the lure of playing for Gerrard could prove to be a difference-maker for Villa.

With Preece claiming that the likes of Manchester United, Newcastle and Leicester are all keeping a track of King, Villa face a real battle on their hands to sign the 17-year-old.

Gerrard’s own connection with Rangers as the club’s former boss could be decisive, however, while the prospect of working under a young manager who clearly rates him already could further persuade the teenager.

Villa fans will no doubt be delighted at Preece’s latest transfer update. After all, this feels like the ideal match for Gerrard and the player.

Meanwhile, this Villa man was an “absolute revelation” vs Man City…

Rilee Rossouw, the 20-year-old Eagles batsman, notched a place in the record books with the fastest triple century in South Africa domestic cricket as he hit 319 off 291 balls

Cricinfo staff25-Mar-2010Rilee Rossouw, the 20-year-old Eagles batsman, notched a place in the record books with the fastest triple century in South Africa domestic cricket as he hit 319 off 291 balls on the opening day of the Supersport series match against Titans at Centurion.His 300 came up off 276 balls and in total he collected 47 fours and eight sixes during his innings. Rossouw’s epic was part of a second-wicket stand of 480 in 84 overs with Dean Elgar (156 not out), a South African record for any wicket beating the 441 that Carl Bradfield and James Bryant compiled, also for the second wicket, for Eastern Province against North West in the 2002-3 season. It was the third-highest second-wicket partnership anywhere in the world.Rossouw’s 319 was also the second-highest number of runs scored by a South African in a day’s play, six behind Barry Richards’ 325 for South Australia against Western Australia but Rossouw’s was the most in South African domestic cricket.Rossouw and Elgar both passed 1000 runs for the current campaign. For Rossouw it continued a golden run of form in the late season after he last week hit 123 against Warriors while sharing a second-wicket stand of 246 with Reeza Hendrinks.Rossouw is the second batsman to make a domestic triple century this season after Stephen Cook’s 390 for Lions against Warriors.

Crystal Palace have enjoyed a comfortable campaign so far after appointing Patrick Vieira in the summer.

The manager has made a number of new additions to the side that have made a great impact on their good form in the first half of the season, resulting in Palace currently sitting 11th in the Premier League table after finishing 14th for the last two seasons.

The London club have taken points from 13 of the 20 games they have played, with eight draws and five wins in the league, and we expect Vieira will be hoping to continue to climb the table in his first full season in charge of the Eagles, to secure the side’s first top-half finish since 2015 when they finished 10th.

One player who has stolen the show at Palace and has been drawing attention to himself through his outstanding performances is loan player, Conor Gallagher.

The 21-year-old has been fantastic this season after he joined Palace on a season-long loan from Chelsea in the summer, scoring six goals and bagging three assists.

He has found the net against Manchester City and Wolves, as well as scoring a brace against West Ham and Everton in the Premier League so far from his midfield position.

Eagles manager, Vieira, praised and reflected on the incredible progress of the young midfielder at Palace so far speaking after the 3-1 win over Everton where he scored a brace.

‘He wants to improve, he is really humble, is working hard and the challenge for him is to maintain that level to fulfil his expectation.

‘Today he was fantastic and I think when the team play at that level as well, it allows him and some of the players in the team to express themselves.”

Now, the French manager could have a problem on his hands as the January transfer window has opened and Gallagher’s position in the team may be compromised by a recall from Chelsea, due to ongoing issues with the attacking line at Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea are struggling to keep themselves in contention for the Premier League title this season, with Manchester City now ten points clear of Thomas Tuchel’s side.

The downfall in Chelsea’s title chase has come from four draws from their last five games, compared to Manchester City’s five wins from five, and some of the attacking players in the side have come under fire after failing to hit the ground running.

Last week, an interview with Romelu Lukaku surfaced where the £100m record-breaking Chelsea signing claimed he was “not happy” with the system Tuchel had deployed, but has since apologised.

With the issues at Chelsea mounting due to their disappointing results as of late, virus outbreaks, injuries and desperation to get back on track to continue to compete for the title this season, there is reason to believe they could look to their thriving loan player at Crystal Palace to save their campaign with his proven attacking threat in the second half of the season.

However, if the Blues take the frightening decision to bring him back to the Bridge this month, it could derail Palace’s own season. After all, he is their top scorer this term and joint-chief creator too.

Gallagher has not featured in the last two games for Vieira’s side, but assistant manager, Osian Roberts, has claimed that he is simply missing through an attempt to “keep the squad as fresh as possible”, Palace will take on Millwall away in the FA Cup third round on Saturday and it will be interesting to see if the youngster features.

In other news: Vieira could sign McArthur 2.0 in Kerr Smith

Lauren James, Cole Palmer and Agnes Beever-Jones won a hat-trick of honours for Chelsea at the London Football Awards.

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Chelsea trio win at London Football AwardsJames claims WSL player of the year titlePalmer & Beever-Jones claim rising star gongsGettyWHAT HAPPENED?

In the 10th edition of the event, Chelsea star James, 22, won the Women’s Super League Player of the Year title after scoring 12 goals this season; while fellow Blues Palmer, 21, and Beever-Jones, 20, picked up the Men’s and Women’s Young Player of the Year awards respectively. The former has scored 12 goals and bagged nine assists in all competitions and "super sub" Beever-Jones, who succeeded James as this year's young winner, has seven goals to date. It's clear all three Chelsea youngsters have a bright future ahead of them.

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On the men's side, Arsenal's Declan Rice won the Premier League Player of the Year, Tottenham's Ange Postecoglou won Manager of the Year, and Goal of the Season, which was voted for by the public, went to Crystal Palace's Michael Olise for his strike against Luton Town last November.

Getty ImagesDID YOU KNOW?

In the other categories, former manager Harry Redknapp won the Outstanding Contribution to London Football gong, John Berylson received the Power of Football Award, Charlton Athletic's Alfie May won the EFL Player of the Year prize, and Spurs stopper Guglielmo Vicario clinched Goalkeeper of the Year. Pan-Disability Football (Sutton United Foundation) picked up the Community Project of the Year honour.

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WHAT NEXT?

James and Beever-Jones are set to return to WSL action on Sunday when table-topping Chelsea travel to Leicester City, whereas Mauricio Pochettino's men make the short trip to London neighbours Brentford on Saturday in the Premier League.

For all the talk of Kevin Pietersen and, to a lesser extent Rory Hamilton-Brown, it was two unsung returnees who gave Middlesex an overwhelming advantage on the first day at The Oval.

Tim Wigmore at The Oval15-Aug-2012
ScorecardTim Murtagh haunted his former county with five wickets on day one•PA PhotosFor all the talk of Kevin Pietersen and, to a lesser extent Rory Hamilton-Brown, it was two unsung returnees who gave Middlesex an overwhelming advantage on the first day at The Oval.Neither Tim Murtagh nor Toby Roland-Jones enjoyed the Surrey careers they would have hoped for, but with consistent and late seam movement they combined to bowl Surrey out for a meagre 144. With Middlesex 99 for 1 by the close of play, it was hard to envisage anything other than their fifth consecutive championship victory against Surrey.The contrast between the performances of Murtagh and Roland-Jones, compared to Surrey’s seamers, must have given the hosts great cause to regret that it took moves to Middlesex for them to fulfill their potential. Murtagh’s promise always exceeded his performance during his Surrey career – though he once claimed 6 for 24 against Middlesex in a T20 game – and he left after 2006 with a first-class bowling average of 37. But for Middlesex he has been consistently outstanding, claiming 342 wickets at 25. Murtagh’s bowling appears unobtrusive at times but, such is his accuracy and nip, that all he needs is a little movement to be lethal. This haul of 5 for 37, featuring two wickets bowled, two caught in the slips and one lbw, was the perfect showcase of his qualities.Given Roland-Jones’ age – 24 – his departure will irk Surrey fans even more. As recently as 2009, he featured for Surrey second XI, but Middlesex decided to offer him a contract. He has certainly vindicated their decision since, as an outstanding record of 110 first-class wickets at 21 apiece attests. The bounce he generates from his 6ft 4ins frame and, above all, his nagging line and late seam movement have consistently embarrassed Surrey: his 3 for 38, which included three of Surrey’s top four, took Roland-Jones’ record against Surrey to 22 wickets at an average of 11. Comparisons with Steve Finn are not wholly unjustified.But, outstandingly as Middlesex bowled, there was no excusing the ineptitude of some of Surrey’s shots. For the second consecutive championship match, they followed the Steve Waugh dictum of winning the toss and batting – before proceeding to be routed. They could certainly have done with Pietersen, who wasn’t released by the ECB to play in this game and has apparently gone to Portugal on holiday. Rory Hamilton-Brown did return for his first Championship game since relinquishing the captaincy. He would not have planned to walk in at 28 for 3 but such is Surrey’s batting form that he can’t have been too surprised. Hamilton-Brown made just two singles before in-movement from Murtagh exposed an injudicious gap between bat and pad to remove middle stump.Having failed to pass 160 in three innings, including the CB40, at Durham, Surrey seldom looked as if they would do so on this occasion. Rory Burns and Zafar Ansari have both provided evidence of their chutzpah on occasions this season but ultimately the two have a combined age of 41 and are not natural openers. Under cloudy skies their failures were less than surprising, even if two Ansari straight drives off Roland-Jones highlighted his compact class.A stoppage due to rain after 9.3 overs was to Middlesex’s advantage, as it allowed Murtagh and Roland-Jones to extend their opening spell to 23 overs. By this time Roland-Jones’ tight line had accounted for both Zander de Bruyn – whose duck meant he has now passed 20 in only three of 21 innings this season – and Arun Harinath, for a stoic but seemingly strokeless 14, both of whom fell lbw.Relief of sorts arrived with the introduction of Neil Dexter and Steven Crook, who were unable to maintain the parsimony. But this only made Steven Davies’ aberrant swipe outside off-stump against Dexter all the more frustrating. Jason Roy at least played with some assurance. Understandably given the struggles of his team-mates, he sometimes resorted to one-day mode, with one “flamingo” whip off Dexter almost a parody of KP, albeit not of the Twitter variety. His was a well deserved half-century; that Murali Kartik’s streaky 23 was the second top score yet another indictment of Surrey’s batting.While Gareth Batty’s decision to bat first appeared highly dubious – given recent batting woes, overcast conditions and a Middlesex bowling attack well suited to exploiting them – he actually had little choice. By opting to select two spinners and only two frontline quicks – Jon Lewis, with five wickets at 62 since the T20 break, was omitted – Surrey gambled everything on batting first and watching the ball turn later. If such a strategy suggests desperation, desperate is increasingly what Surrey are as they attempt to avoid returning to Division Two.With utter inevitability, the sun finally broke out when Middlesex started batting. Although there was some turn for Murali Kartik, Middlesex’s opening pair of Chris Rogers and Sam Robson looked utterly assured. Rogers, along with Simon Katich, is probably the best overseas batsman available who is not wanted by his country. Driving and cutting to great effect, it was rather surprising when he was dismissed for 56 in the penultimate over to a fine leg-stump yorker from Jade Dernbach, triggering exuberant celebrations that revealed Surrey’s frustration. In ending just 45 runs behind with nine wickets remaining, Middlesex could reflect on a dominant day.

Newcastle United are reportedly now interested in signing Wout Weghorst in the January transfer window.

The Lowdown: Underrated?

Weghorst may not be a name that jumps out immediately on paper, but he seems to be one of the most underrated strikers in European football, at least according to the Bundesliga website.

Former Wolsfburg manager Oliver Glasner even went as far as to claim that Weghorst is ‘the most dangerous player in front of goal’ that he has ever coached, while fellow Dutch player Michel Vlap has credited him as having an ‘unbelievable drive’.

Nonetheless, his goal record speaks for itself, with a total of 164 goals scored for both club and country at youth and senior level combined, and at 29 years of age, is now at the peak of his powers.

The Latest: Newcastle interest

As per Kicker, the St. James’ Park faithful are now interested in signing Weghorst next month.

The news outlet are predicting that he will have ‘an offer on the table in the next few weeks’, and that could be from the North East club, while he is not expected to stay beyond the summer at least.

The Verdict: Get it done

With a monster six-foot-six frame, Weghorst would be a threat for any team in the Premier League, due to his aerial threat in both boxes, emphasised by the 2.4 aerial duels that he wins per game in the Bundesliga, the joint-fourth most out of any of his teammates, and up there with the central defenders at the club (WhoScored).

The Netherlands international would certainly offer an exciting alternative to Callum Wilson, whose six goals in total over all competitions so far this season are by far the most out of any Magpies player, and so Weghorst would help ease the burden off of him, given his goalscoring record.

Nonetheless, while their defence may be leaky, ultimately goals win football matches, and Weghorst would certainly provide them.

In other news, find out who the Saudis’ dream signing is here!

Brentford have revealed the amount they will demand to sell Ivan Toney in the January transfer window.

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Brentford reveal the price for ToneyDo not plan to sell him in JanuaryArsenal and Chelsea interested in the strikerWHAT HAPPENED?

Toney is currently serving an eight-month suspension after admitting to breaching the FA's betting rules earlier this year. His suspension ends on January 17 after which he will become available for selection. While the Bees cherish their star forward and want to retain his services, Toney has been linked with a move away from the club in the January transfer window with both Arsenal and Chelsea interested in signing him.

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Despite Brentford's reluctance, they could allow the England international to leave if they get a transfer fee in the region of £60 million ($76m) or more, according to journalist Ekrem Konur. On Friday, Brentford manager Thomas Frank told reporters that he would love to see the 27-year-old at the club on February 1, the day after the January window closes.

DID YOU KNOW?

The former Newcastle striker was the third-highest scorer in the Premier League last season behind Golden Boot winner Erling Haaland and England captain Harry Kane. He notched up 20 goals in 33 league appearances.

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Getty ImagesWHAT NEXT FOR BRENTFORD?

Thomas Frank's side have suffered three defeats in their last five Premier League matches and are currently 11th in the league with 16 points from 13 matches. They would aim to get back to winning ways on Saturday when they face Luton Town at home.

The first player born in 2006 to play in Serie A, Zara Kramzar is proving integral to her club's hopes of making history this season

There were 10 minutes left on the clock and Roma, chasing a first ever Serie A title for its women's team, had yet to break the deadlock against bottom club Sampdoria.

So, head coach Alessandra Spugna turned to his bench and called over Zara Kramzar, a 17-year-old midfielder from Slovenia that few had heard of before her move to Italy last summer.

Within five minutes, the substitution had paid off. Despite being on the floor in the box when Manuela Giugliano's cross got to her, such was the pressure from the opposing defender, the teenager somehow managed to direct it into the back of the net to win the game. It was her most decisive contribution to the Roma cause yet.

Slovenia may not be the first country you think of when you think of football. Its men's team has qualified for three major tournaments since becoming independent from Yugoslavia in 1991 but, having been knocked out in the group stages each time, is perhaps most famous for producing two of the best goalkeepers of recent years – Jan Oblak and Samir Handanovic.

The women's team has yet to make a big international event. In fact, of the 17 major tournaments in the women's game since 1991, it didn't even enter the qualification process for six of them.

There can be cautious optimism for the future, with Slovenia's current squad peppered with talents in their 20s who are playing in big European leagues, such as Sara Agrez, who represents two-time European champions Wolfsburg, and Lara Prasnikar, a prolific goalscorer for Eintracht Frankfurt.

But in Kramzar, Slovenia doesn't just have another great player who can play in a top team. Despite the country's lack of success on the biggest stage, it appears to have a talent who could go on to achieve whatever she desires.

GettyWhere it began

Only five or six years old when she started playing, Kramzar admits that her passion for the game “just came from nowhere”.

“I started to like kicking the ball and running around the pitch, so then one day I just said to my mother, 'Mum, I want to play football,'" she recalls to GOAL.

Soon, she’d join a local club, playing with boys’ teams all the way through her childhood, including at regional camps.

First called up for the youth national teams at under-15 level, she had to join a women’s team when she turned 16. The young midfielder had several offers but, in the end, chose Olimpija Ljubljana. It wasn’t Slovenia’s top club and that was part of the reason – it put more emphasis on her to work hard and contribute.

“My mum and also the whole family were so supportive through the whole journey. In between, she was like, 'Are you sure you don't want to play basketball or a more girly sport?'” she laughs. “I was like, 'No, I like football and I'll continue to play football.'"

AdvertisementAS RomaThe big break

Only a few months after joining Ljubljana, Kramzar joined AS Roma at the age of 16.

GOAL understands she could have signed for Benfica, having spent time in Portugal to train with the club's first team. Paris Saint-Germain even showed an interest at one point, as well as a club in Germany.

But Italy was a good first move away from home given the border it shares with Slovenia. Of course, the midfielder was impressed upon her visit to Roma, too.

A move abroad is what Kramzar had wanted since she was around 13 years old. She was told she could pursue such opportunities at the end of ninth grade, but her January birthday would get in her way as, when that time came, she was still only 15 years old.

“I was crying so much, like the whole week,” she remembers. “I was like, 'No, I want to go now.'

“Then I went to the high school and I had my birthday in January, so it's half of the school year. So, I was like, 'We can go now', and I was told, 'It's hard to do it'.

"So, then I waited half a year more and I was like, 'Now, I need to go. There's no excuses anymore!'”

How it's going

It’s Kramzar’s first full senior season in women’s football and yet, she has already impressed and made decisive contributions.

A regular impact substitute, her late winner against Sampdoria is a stand-out moment, as is her two-goal performance in the 2-0 win over Pomigliano in the Coppa Italia.

Kramzar was the first player born in 2006 to play in Serie A, she played in the Champions League for the first time in September and made her full senior international debut in November, scoring against Kosovo after just two minutes on the pitch.

“[My favourite moment so far for Roma] was when I scored my first goal, against Fiorentina. Three minutes [off the bench] and I scored a goal, I was so happy," the teenager recalls.

“Also, my debut, also against Fiorentina. I was just so excited. I was like this [shaking] before the game. I was nervous but at the end… I can't describe it in words.

“This season, you can't imagine for 16 years old. I never knew that I would be like this. I'm so happy and thankful to all the staff, my team-mates and everything.”

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GettyBiggest strengths

One of the things that stands out about Kramzar is her physical dominance in midfield for such a young player. Tall, strong and competitive, these traits make her a battling presence in the centre of the park.

However, her biggest strengths are technical. The two-footed teenager is skilful and enjoys showing that off – in the right moments. It’s no surprise to learn that when she was younger, she enjoyed watching videos on YouTube to learn new skills. She’s also an excellent finisher.

“I like to have the ball at my feet,” she says. “I like to have control. I like to do some of the easiest passes but also to do something more. I like to help the team.”

In less tangible areas, perhaps she is more impressive. Her leadership and ability to assimilate into a top level environment wowed Roma immediately, especially given her age.

“The leadership that she has on the pitch is astonishing,” Gianmarco Migliorati, Roma’s sporting director, tells GOAL. “At such an age, in both men and women's football, it's very rare to find someone who can play at that level at that age. It has been surprising.

“She knows exactly what she wants. She's very mature.”

GOAL picks out some eye-catching and unimpressive showings from the last-four clashes in Cameroon

GettyAfcon 2021 semi-finals

Senegal and Egypt defeated Burkina Faso and Cameroon, respectively, to set up what is a highly anticipated final between the West Africans and seven-time winners.

Which performances in the last four were impressive and whose displays were a disappointment?

AdvertisementBackpagepixToo Good: Gabaski

Since replacing Mohamed El-Shenawy in the 88th minute of the Round of 16 success over the Ivory Coast, Egypt’s replacement goalkeeper has now saved three penalties in those two games.

He stopped one in the victory over the Elephants and repeated the trick against the hosts on Thursday night and then some.

Gabaski thwarted Harold Moukoudi and James Lea Siliki to put the Pharaohs into a healthy advantage in the shootout, thus becoming the hero for the North African side.

If El-Shenawy is unable to feature on Sunday, Carlos Queiroz will trust in Gabaski who is yet to concede from open play since deputising for Egypt’s number one.

BackpagepixToo Bad: Vincent Aboubakar

For a second game running, the Indomitable Lions forward fired blanks, failing to convert one of the host nation’s best chances.

While Aboubakar did not quite miss as many opportunities against the Pharaohs as the quarter-finals, the striker’s off-kilter finishing proved costly this time.

Having flourished hitherto, the competition’s top scorer petered out when he needed to come up trumps.

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Getty Images.Too Good: Saliou Ciss

Ciss was a constant menace bombing forward for the entirety of Senegal’s 3-1 success over a plucky Burkina Faso outfit, fashioning more opportunities than all but Sadio Mane.

The left-back was equally dominant in his one-v-one tussles against the Stallions, winning every aerial duel on the night.

The 32-year-old has featured in every game so far at the finals and Aliou Cisse will count on the full-back for the decider.