2027 AFCON qualifiers: Goitseone Phoko, king of decisive saves

30.09.26 FT AFCON - Africa Cup of Nations

Eritrea

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South Africa

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Goitseone Phoko frustrated Tunisia. The Botswana goalkeeper was imperious against Tunisia’s attacks, making save after save and causing Ismael Gharbi and his teammates to doubt themselves. Although he was beaten twice by Hamza Mastouri, he made several fine saves that helped the Zebras return with a valuable draw (2-2).

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The goalkeeper, who plays for South African Premiership club Siwelele, has made 11 saves in 2 appearances, putting him at the top of the goalkeeper rankings after two rounds of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers. He is ahead of Fernando Embadje, the Guinea-Bissau goalkeeper who tormented the Super Eagles in a 3-0 win, with 9 saves.

Ugandan Denis Onyango, Mauritanian Mamadou Diop, Rwandan Fiacre Ntwari and Cameroonian Blondy Nna Noukeu share third place in the rankings, having each made 8 decisive saves.

Here is the goalkeeper ranking based on decisive saves, according to “sofascore” :

1 - Goitseone Phoko (Botswana): 11 decisive saves

2 - Fernando Embadje (Guinea-Bissau): 9

3 - Denis Onyango (Uganda): 8

4 - Fiacre Ntwari (Rwanda): 8

5 - Mamadou Diop (Mauritania): 8

6 - Blondy Nna Noukeu (Cameroon): 8

7 - Malcolm Barcola (Togo): 7

8 - Ernan (Mozambique): 7

9 - Matthieu Epolo (DR Congo): 7

10 - Majak Mawith (South Sudan): 7

11 - Yassine Bounou (Morocco): 6

12 - Hervé Koffi (Burkina Faso): 6

13 - Kamaijanda Ndisiro (Namibia): 6

14 - Sekhoane Moerane (Lesotho): 6

15 - Dominique Youfeigane (Central African Republic): 6

16 - Ibrahim Ahmed Hussein (Somalia): 6

17 - Yonathan Sultan (Eritrea): 5

18 - Bryne Odhiambo (Kenya): 5

19 - Malik Abdulrahman (Eritrea): 5

20 - Djibrilla Kassali Djibo (Niger): 4

Imed Ben Amara |

Editorar, fr

Imed Ben Amara - bilingual sports writer and web editor with experience in football content creation. Since 2021, he has contributed to Foot Africa, providing news coverage and analysis.

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AFCON - Africa Cup of Nations