African champion and Senegal goalkeeper Edouard Mendy said he told Egyptian penalty hero Abou Gabal “Gabaski” that he was the 2021 Africa Cup of nations (AFCON) best goalkeeper.
Mendy started his AFCON in on group stages matchday 3rd against Malawi after missing the first two against Zimbabwe (1-0) and Malawi (0-0) due to Covid-19.
Since then, the Chelsea goalkeeper go on to make three clean sheets in five games, seven saves and two goals conceded.
On the other hand, Gabaski was initially Egypt’s second choice goalkeeper, came out from the bench against Ivory Coast in last 16 round to become the hero during penalty shoutout session saving Manchester United’s Eric Bailly penalty to help Pharaohs advance to the quarter-finals.
Read more : Edouard Mendy receives both FIFA The Best and AFCON Best goalkeeper Awards at Olembe
The Zamalek goalkeeper then made two clean sheets in four games, conceded only one goal and made 15 saves.
Speaking two days after Senegal’s first-ever AFCON title, Mendy confessed Abou Gabal was the best AFCON 2021 best goalkeeper and deserved the trophy he won.
“He is the best goalkeeper in the tournament”, Mendy told said, as per 3Spôrts.
“Honestly, I spoke with him and told him he’s the best.
“He deserves it [AFCON 2021 best goalkeeper Award], I was really impressed by his tournament.“