The thirty second version of the Africa Cup of Nations ( AFCON) was held in Egypt in 2019, with 24 groups competing to be topped the very best group on the continent.
After 52 matches, it was Algeria who emerged victorious as they edged previous Senegal 1-0 within the remaining due to a second-minute winner from Baghdad Bounedjah.
It was solely the second time that the North African nation had received the competitors, and was their first triumph in 29 years.
On the conclusion of the occasion, a Group of the Event was put collectively by the Confederation of African Soccer (CAF), figuring out the very best XI to have featured throughout the 4 weeks of competitors.
However what has occurred to these gamers? Have they kicked on, or struggled to shine within the years since? Sportsmail takes a glance...
Goalkeeper: Rais M'Bolhi (Algeria)
Many followers might not have been conscious of Rais M'Bolhi heading into the 2019 match, however he rapidly established himself as a key determine in between the sticks for Algeria.
The shot-stopper didn't concede a single aim in his aspect's opening 4 video games as Algeria raced by means of to the quarter-finals. He saved his finest efficiency for the ultimate, although, managing to maintain Senegal at bay, and he was duly awarded the Participant of the Match.
At membership degree, he has spent the final three years at Al-Ettifaq in Saudi Arabia, and the 35-year-old's expertise might be important for Algeria as they appear to retain their crown in Cameroon in 2022.
Proper again: Lamine Gassama (Senegal)
Lamine Gassama didn't characteristic within the first two video games in 2019, but he made up for misplaced time thereafter.
He began Senegal's remaining 5 matches of the competitors, throughout which period the group solely conceded as soon as.
Nonetheless, he's presently with no membership after being launched by Turkish aspect Goztepe in the summertime, and he has not performed for his nation since June.
Centre again: Yassine Meriah (Tunisia)
Yassine Meriah is considered one of solely two gamers on this group who didn't make it to the ultimate.
He performed each minute for Tunisia throughout their run to the semi-finals the place they had been crushed 1-0 by Senegal after additional time.
The 28-year-old moved to the UAE in July to hitch Al-Ain, and he stays an everyday on the coronary heart of Tunisia's defence, having racked up 58 worldwide caps.
Centre again: Kalidou Koulibaly (Senegal)
Lacking a serious remaining attributable to suspension should be heart-breaking. That is precisely what occurred to Kalidou Koulibaly in 2019.
Nonetheless, his performances previous to the showpiece occasion earned him a spot within the Group of the Event. Senegal conceded only one aim within the six matches he appeared in.
Regardless of hypothesis linking him with a transfer to a few of the greatest golf equipment in Europe, Koulibaly has remained loyal to Napoli, and is now into his eighth season on the membership.
Left-back: Youssouf Sabaly (Senegal)
Youssouf Sabaly is able to overlaying both full-back place, however in 2019 he was chosen to play on the left. He didn't disappoint.
Taking part in alongside Gassama and Koulibaly, he ensured that Senegal's defence was nearly unbreachable all through the match.
Two years in the past he was on Bordeaux's books in France, however he has since moved to Spain to play for Actual Betis. His present marketing campaign has been disrupted by a thigh harm he picked up in pre-season, and he has not received any minutes for his nation in 2021.
Defensive midfielder: Adlene Guedioura (Algeria)
Adlene Guedioura rolled again the years in 2019 to star in the midst of the park for Algeria.
Taking part in as a deep-lying midfielder, he allowed different gamers round him to flourish, whereas he protected the again 4.
Having spent nearly all of his profession in England, Guedioura had a stint in Qatar between 2019 and 2021, earlier than returning to the UK to hitch Sheffield United in September.
Central midfielder: Idrissa Gueye (Senegal)
Idrissa Gueye chipped in with a aim and an help in 2019 in Egypt, which included scoring the winner in opposition to Benin within the quarter-final.
The central midfielder entered the match as an Everton participant, however his performances earned him a swap to Ligue 1 giants PSG.
He stays on their books, and featured in seven Champions League matches on their run to the ultimate final 12 months.
Central midfielder: Ismael Bennacer (Algeria)
Having simply been relegated from Serie A with Empoli in 2018-19, Ismael Bennacer rapidly put that behind him to blossom for his nation.
He established himself as considered one of Algeria's chief creators through the match as he registered three assists, and he was duly rewarded by being named Participant of the Event.
Nonetheless solely 24, he's now at AC Milan, and performed a pivotal position within the aspect's midfield final time period to get Stefano Pioli's males again into this season's Champions League after a seven-year absence from the competitors.
Proper wing: Riyad Mahrez (Algeria)
Premier League followers shall be very conscious of what Riyad Mahrez brings to the desk, and he was at his finest for Algeria two years in the past.
Captaining his nation on the massive stage, he delivered time and time once more, scoring three objectives. His standout second arrived within the semi-final when he fired residence a free-kick deep into stoppage time to get rid of Nigeria.
Now 30, Mahrez remains to be enjoying on the highest degree for Manchester Metropolis, and was considered one of Pep Guardiola's most trusted gamers because the group regained the Premier League title in 2020-21.
Left wing: Sadio Mane (Senegal)
Sadio Mane's match in 2019 was not excellent as he missed two penalties, however he greater than made up for it together with his all-round shows.
The Liverpool winger scored three objectives for Senegal, together with bagging a brace in opposition to Kenya.
He continued his type at Anfield the next season as Liverpool ended their 30-year watch for a league title, and he's nonetheless one of many first names on the teamsheet for the Reds.
Striker: Odion Ighalo (Nigeria)
Odion Ighalo was unable to hold his group to the ultimate, however he nonetheless made a serious impression for the Tremendous Eagles.
He discovered the web 5 occasions, and scored the winner within the third-place play-off in opposition to Tunisia to finish the competitors with the Golden Boot.
The striker received his dream transfer to Manchester United in January 2020, however he has since left England, and is now enjoying for Al-Shadab Riyadh in Saudi Arabia.
