Chinese Based Players to Feature at AFCON

The 2019 edition of the Africa Cup of Nations took place in Egypt, with a total of 24 teams participating. A total of 552 players made it to the tournament, with the majority plying their trade in different African leagues as well as European Leagues. Only five of these players were playing in the Chinese Super League, a total contrast to the 95 drawn from teams in France alone. 

In recent years, China has started attracting top talent from all over the world, but language and contrasting lifestyles remain huge challenges. Going forward, it is expected that the policies being put in place to make the Chinese Super League more attractive will see more Africans playing there. It remains to be seen if the number will increase or decrease in the 2021 AFCON championship, with https://www.betway.co.za/sport/soccer set to make all matches available for bettors.

So who were the five Chinese-based players in the African Cup of Nations in Egypt?

Odion Ighalo – Nigeria

The Nigeria striker was contracted to Shanghai Greenland Shenhua at the time of the 2019 tournament, but has since moved to the English Premier League on a six-month loan at Manchester United. Ighalo who was the leading scorer for the Chinese outfit deservedly emerged top on the scoring charts, seeing off challenges from more fancied Liverpool duo of Mo Salah and Sadio Mane, as well as Algeria’s Riyad Mahrez.

John Obi Mikel – Nigeria

The former Chelsea midfielder was also playing in the Chinese Super League for Tianjin TEDA at the time of the AFCON championship. He has since joined English Championship side Middlesbrough. The retiring Super Eagles skipper’s influence in the CSL only highlights how serious the league is being taken, and the direction it is heading.

Nyasha Mushekwi – Zimbabwe 

Mushekwi was a bright prospect throughout Zimbabwe’s campaign especially during the tournament opener against hosts Egypt. The Elephants gave the Pharaohs a good game, but would eventually lose to the Betway favorites. Mushekwi plies his trade in the Chinese Super League for Dalian Yifang.

Christian Bassagog – Cameroon

After emerging as the best young player in the 2017 Afcon, the Henan Jianye attacker found himself in Clarence Seedorf’s side for the 2019 tournament. Cameroon may not have performed as expected, but there were flashes of brilliance from the rising indomitable lion. Bassagog was heavily linked with a big-money transfer to several clubs in Europe, but nothing happened before the close of the transfer window.

Ayub Timbe – Kenya

Following in the footsteps of his fellow countryman Michael Olunga, Timbe was orchestrating attacks for his CSL side Beijing Renhe. He recovered from a nagging knee injury on time to help Kenya in their pursuit of a respectable tournament, but although Kenya’s Harambee Stars were eliminated in the group stages, Timbe’s exploits did not go unnoticed. He has since signed for English championship side Reading. 

 

Final thoughts

The influence of the Chinese-based players in the AFCON was a testimony of the rising levels of competition in a league once considered a very low league. Forget the high salaries paid out, the continued entry of top global talents means that the league is heading in the right direction. You can bet on the CSL with Betway throughout the season for the best odds.