Ahli defender Wael Gomaa was included in the 2009 African Team of the Year selected by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) on Thursday. The combative centre back, one of the most consistent performers in the country, was the only Egyptian player to make CAF's starting line up. He is a regular member of Ahli and Egypt's defense and is widely considered as one of the finest defenders in the country's history. Ghana, Ivory Coast, Cameroon and DR Congo had two representatives each in the team. Algeria, who qualified for the World Cup for the first time since 1986, had one representative in full-back Nadir Belhadj. CAF's starting XI: Goalkeeper: Muteba Kidiaba (T.P Mazembe and DR Congo) Defenders: John Pantsil (Fulham and Ghana), Nadir Belhadj (Portsmouth and Algeria), Wael Gomaa (Ahli and Egypt) Midfielders: Alexander Song (Arsenal and Cameroon), Michael Essien (Chelsea and Ghana), Seydou Keita (Barcelona and Mali), Yaya Toure (Barcelona and Ivory Coast) Strikers: Tresor Mputu (T.P. Mazembe and DR Congo), Samuel Eto'o (Inter Milan and Cameroon), Didier Drogba (Chelsea and Ivory Coast)
