Africa, the football mine of the world, where raw and unharnessed talents are plucked off from. African players are scattered everywhere in the world plying their trades. 

In Pulse End of Year List series, we take a look at the best African XI of 2018. The best African players in each position. 

Denis Onyango (Uganda/Mamelodi Sundowns)

Uganda caught the eye in the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) after finishing top of Group L without a loss. They didn’t even concede a goal with Denis Onyango in goal. 

Onyango was a key part of the Mamelodi Sundowns squad that won the South African Premier League title in 2018. 

Achraf Hakimi (Morocco/Real Madrid/Borussia Dortmund)

After breaking into the Real Madrid squad in 2017, Achraf Hakimi grown to become one of the best full backs out of Africa. The return of Dani Carvajal meant he didn’t play much part in Real Madrid’s historic third consecutive Champions League title win. 

He was one of Morocco’s brightest players at the 2018 FIFA World Cup although they failed to make it past the group stage. 

It’s with Borussia Dortmund where he is on a two-year loan that he has thrived, impressing as the black and yellow’s amazing run to the top of Bundesliga table. 

Kalidou Koulibaly (Senegal/Napoli) 

Kalidou Koulibaly has been a force to reckon with in recent years and has continued to be one of the best defenders in world football. 

With him at the back, Napoli pushed Juventus all the way in the Serie A title race. He was linked with some of the biggest clubs in the summer but remained with Napoli and has continued to be solid at the back for the Italian side under new manager Carlo Ancelotti. 

He couldn’t lift Senegal past the group stage of the World Cup but he remains the best defender from Africa. 

Medhi Benatia (Morocco/Juventus) 

Medhi Benatia might be finding game time hard to come by at Juventus due to the return of Leonardo Bonucci but he held the guard for the Italian champions in the absence of the veteran Italian. 

Benatia was impressive for Juventus last season and made 33 appearances in all competition as the Old Lady won the Serie A and Coppa Italia double. 

Kwadwo Asamoah (Ghana/Juventus) 

Frustrated with his bit-part role at Juventus last season, Kwadwo Asamoah pitched his tent at Inter Milan where he can lay a claim to be the best summer signing in Serie A. 

He has been consistent for Inter Milan who are aiming to push Juventus all the way in the title race. 

For Ghana in 2018, he made a return to the national team after a four-year absence and helped them in their bid to qualify for AFCON 2019. 

Wilfred Ndidi (Nigeria/Leicester City) 

One of the best tacklers in world football, Wilfred Ndidi has become renowned for his solidity in defensive midfield for both club and country. 

In 2018, he has kept growing in leaps and bounds, evolving also to be more than just a tackler in midfield. 

Franck Kessié (Côte d'Ivoire/AC Milan) 

It’s been a breakout year for Franck Kessié who has continued to earn rave reviews for his performances for AC Milan this season. 

The midfielder has been ever-present for AC Milan this season. He has been linked with the likes of Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester United due to his solid performances this season. 

Naby Keita (Guinea/RB Leipzig/Liverpool)

Yet to reach the level he was in his breakout 2016/2017 season but Naby Keita remains one of the best midfielders from Africa. After an average season with Leipzig, the Guinean has gradually gotten on his feet at Liverpool. 

He has overcome injuries and acclimatization problems to still out in a couple of fine performances for Liverpool who have greatly improved to become one of the best sides in England. 

Mohamed Salah (Egypt/Liverpool) 

In one of his best years yet, Mohamed Salah completed his incredible 2017/2018 season with Liverpool top of the goalscoring chart with 44 goals in all competition. 

His incredible debut season in England got him a third-place finish in the vote for the 2018 FIFA Best Player award and sixth in the Ballon d’Or. 

The infamous injury in the Champions League final meant he couldn’t do anything to help Egypt at the 2018 FIFA World Cup. 

He has continued from where he stopped last season although not in the same explosive manner. But he has a couple of goals which have helped Liverpool to get on the top of the Premier League table. 

The Egyptian was also named the BBC African Player of the Year and in the running to retain his CAF's African Player of the Year award.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (Arsenal/Gabon) 

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang began the year with a big move to Arsenal and despite the dark cloud of covered the Emirates at that time, he still shone. 

Last season he netted 10 goals in 14 appearances and has continued to be lethal for the Gunners. In fact, since his move to the Premier League, only Salah has scored more Premier League goals that Aubameyang who has scored 10 for the resurgent Gunners. 

Sadio Mane (Senegal/Liverpool) 

After a poor start to the 2017/2018 season, Sadio Mane regained form to lead Liverpool’s charge at the turn of the year. He ended the season with 20 goals in all competitions including the Liverpool's only goal in their 1-3 loss to Real Madrid in the Champions League final. 

He scored one goal for a Senegal who narrowly missed out on a place in the round of 16 after a decent performance at the 2018 FIFA World Cup. 

This season, he has continued to impress for Liverpool and although he is yet to hit top gear, he is still helping Liverpool to fly.