AFCON 2015: Christian Atsu Wins Best Player – But Is Left Out of CAF’s Best XI
By all accounts, Christian Atsu was one of the standout performers of the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations. The Ghanaian winger dazzled with his pace, skill, and scoring ability — earning him the Player of the Tournament award, as well as recognition for Goal of the Tournament. Yet, in a move that has sparked widespread confusion and criticism, Atsu was excluded from the official CAF Team of the Tournament.
It’s an omission that many are calling nothing short of a blunder, if not a blatant inconsistency.
A Puzzling Omission
The Confederation of African Football (CAF), through its technical study group, is responsible for selecting both the tournament’s best individual players and the Team of the Tournament. That means the very same body that voted Christian Atsu as the best player of the entire competition also did not include him among the best 11 players in his position. The contradiction is stark.
For fans and analysts alike, it’s a decision that defies logic. How can the most outstanding player — by CAF’s own criteria — not be considered one of the top three forwards or attacking midfielders in the tournament? Especially when Atsu was instrumental in guiding Ghana to the final, scoring two goals and consistently creating chances throughout.
Who Made the Team Instead?
The CAF Team of the Tournament included forwards Gervinho, André Ayew, and Wilfried Bony — all worthy selections in their own right, but it’s unclear why there wasn’t room for Atsu, even as a midfielder. Ghanaian defender Jonathan Mensah and striker André Ayew made the cut, but Atsu — the team’s creative engine — was overlooked.
Oversight or Something Else?
For many observers, the exclusion is not just an oversight — it’s emblematic of deeper inconsistencies within CAF’s selection processes. Issa Hayatou’s long-standing presidency at CAF has often been marred by accusations of opacity and questionable decisions. This latest episode adds fuel to the fire.
Speculation is already mounting that CAF may offer a belated explanation — perhaps invoking tactical balance or positional quotas to justify Atsu’s exclusion. But such rationalizations are unlikely to quell frustration. After all, if the best player in a major tournament is not included in its best team, what does the award even signify?
The Bigger Picture
This controversy has overshadowed what was otherwise a triumphant tournament for Ivory Coast, who won their second title after a tense penalty shootout against Ghana. Atsu’s Ghana, despite falling short in the final, earned praise for their spirited performance — and Atsu himself left Equatorial Guinea with his reputation greatly enhanced.
But his absence from the Best XI raises uncomfortable questions about CAF’s credibility. Fans and pundits may continue to debate tactics and selections, but one thing is certain: Christian Atsu deserved better.
