Koulibaly left-back in best African XI

Napoli’s Kalidou Koulibaly has been included in the best African XI of 2018 – at left-back.

Koulibaly was not even nominated for the African Player of the Year award, which was ultimately won by Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah.

The Senegal centre-back features in the CAF’s best XI instead, although he must make do with playing on the left of a four-man defence.

It comes as Juventus stopper Medhi Benatia and Manchester United’s Eric Bailly take up the centre-back positions.

Napoli’s Kalidou Koulibaly has been included in the best African XI of 2018 – at left-back.

Koulibaly was not even nominated for the African Player of the Year award, which was ultimately won by Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah.

The Senegal centre-back features in the CAF’s best XI instead, although he must make do with playing on the left of a four-man defence.

It comes as Juventus stopper Medhi Benatia and Manchester United’s Eric Bailly take up the centre-back positions.

Another peculiar inclusion saw Manchester City winger Riyad Mahrez named in central midfield.

Best African XI of 2018: Denis Onyango; Serge Aurier, Medhi Benatia, Eric Bailly, Kalidou Koulibaly; Riyad Mahrez, Thomas Partey, Naby Keita; Sadio Mane, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Mohamed Salah