AFCON Fantasy Best Captain for Gameweek 1

In this article we take a look at the AFCON Fantasy best captain for Gameweek 1. We pick out some of the best options challenging for the armband using stats, team and player form, and any other information that can help us come to a conclusion.

Picking out the AFCON Fantasy best captain for Gameweek 1 is going to be extremely important towards the success of our campaigns. Unlike in previous years, managers cannot change captaincy every match. The fact that we have only one opportunity per round for captaincy makes it even more important when it comes to making the right decision.

The Options – Victor Osmihen

Nigeria were fantastic in the qualifiers. There they played six matches, won five, drew one and scored a whopping 22 goals. Recent form is a slight concern though as they have won just one of their last five matches.

Equatorial Guinea lay ahead, a team who although come into the meeting as underdogs, have still shown fight and determination which has led them to progressing into the latter stages multiple times. They are also in a solid run of form – unbeaten in their last 10 matches and keeping six clean sheets in those same games.

Nigeria penalty taker Victor Osmihen (€11.5m) has become one of the most wanted strikers in world football. When looking at his qualifying performances he also managed a huge 10 goals. Domestically for Napoli some have questioned his output but nine attacking returns in 13 matches is nothing to shrug off.

Sadio Mane

Senegal come into the competition as one of the favourites. They will be hoping to make it two successive AFCON tournaments in a row. In terms of the qualifiers Senegal won four of their six matches, and scored 12 goals – that averages at two goals per match. They also won three, drew one and lost one of their last six matches.

Senegal face Gambia next up. Gambia rank as the worst team in AFCON in terms of the FIFA ranking system which makes them a team to target. In terms of recent form, its mixed. In fact, Gambia have lost three, won two and drawn one of their last six matches. They have also shipped at least two goals in five of the same games.

Sadio Mane (€11.5m) also takes his sides penalties which is a great boost in his appeal. In the recent qualifiers Mane netted five goals and created one assist in just five matches. Domestically Mane has also racked up eight goals and four assist in 18 Saudi Pro League matches.

Mohamed Salah

Egypt are another side who go into the competition as one of the big favourites. In their qualifying matches Egypt won five and drew one of their six matches whilst also netting 10 goals. When it comes to recent form they have won four, lost one and drawn one of their last six matches.

Mozambique lay ahead for Egypt, a side who rank 111st on the FIFA ranking system and 26th in Africa. They are also a side who have been inconsistent as of late – winning two, losing two and drawing two of their last six matches. In that same period Mozambique also conceded at least two goals in four of their games.

Mozambique are clearly a team to target and Mohamed Salah (€12m) could benefit. Salah impressed in his four AFCON qualifying matches where he netted two goals and registered two assists. For Liverpool in the Premier League Salah has also notched up a massive 14 goals and eight assists in 14 matches.

Who is the best captain for Gameweek 1?

Victor Osimhen was fantastic in his qualifying matches but Nigeria’ recent performances are enough to look elsewhere. He also faces a team who have been keeping plenty of clean sheets recently.

Both Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah are excellent options for the armband this week. Both assets are in great recent form, play for teams scoring plenty of goals, have poor opposition and take their sides penalties. The only factor that makes Salah the standout captaincy option this week is his domestic form in a league regarded as the best in the world.