The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has named the 2023 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) group stage best XI after the conclusion of stage.
The Football Association omitted all the Super Eagles players in the lineup despite qualifying for the 2023 AFCON Round of 16 as runner-ups of Group A.
In addition, the association ignored players like Sadio Mane and Riyad Mahrez due to the fact that they were not convincing enough in the group stage of the tournament.
Morocco's national team, which are currently dominating the 2023 African Nations Cup, have the highest number of players in the Group Stage Best XI. The Atlas Lions have four players in the Group Stage Best XI.
Senegal National Team are second, with three players in the Best XI following a perfect finish in the group stage.
Equatorial Guinea have two players, and Angola and DR Congo contribute one player each.
In the official CAF Group Stage Best XI, the football association picked Equatorial Guinea goalkeeper Jesus Owono; the Deportivo Alves goalkeeper has conceded just one goal so far in the tournament.
For the right-back position, Achraf Hakimi, who plays for the Morocco national team, was selected.
The Paris Saint-Germain defender continued with his impressive World Cup performance in the AFCON.
For the center defense, Senegal engine room Kalidou Koulibaly and Morocco defender Nayef Aguerd made the list due to their ability to confidently stop counterattacks.
DR Congo left back Arthur Masuaku was selected by CAF.
He was instrumental in the DR Congo Round of 16 qualification for the tournament. The defender was never substituted in those Group Stage matches.
Sofyan Amrabat and Azzedine Ounahi, who are both Moroccan internationals, were also named as part of the AFCON XI.
Senegal midfielder Lamine Camara also made the list after scoring two goals in three matches.
The current 2023 African Cup of Nations highest goal scorer Emilio Nsue got picked ahead of African Footballer of the Year Victor Osimhen. Nsue had been a top-notch player in the tournament, scoring five goals in three matches.
Senegal's Ismaila Sarr and Angola's attacker Gelson Dala are also part of the starting lineup.
Both players have skills and agility in common. They had contributed immensely to the Round of 16 qualification of their respective international teams.
AFCON Group Stage Best XI
Goalkeeper:
Jesús Owono, Equatorial Guinea, Deportivo Alaves
Defenders:
Achraf Hakimi, Morocco, PSG
Kalidou Koulibaly, Senegal, and Al-Hilal
Nayef Aguerd, Morocco, West Ham United
Arthur Masuaku, DR Congo, Besiktas
Midfielders
Azzedine Ounahi, Morocco, Olympique de Marseille
Sofyan Amrabat, Morocco, Manchester United
Lamine Camara, Senegal, FC Metz
Forwards:
Gelson Dala, Angola, and Al-Wakrah
Emilio Nsue, Equatorial Guinea, CF Inter City
Ismailia Sarr, Senegal, Olympique de Marseille
What do you think about the Best XI line-up? Air your views in the comment section.
The Football Association omitted all the Super Eagles players in the lineup despite qualifying for the 2023 AFCON Round of 16 as runner-ups of Group A.
In addition, the association ignored players like Sadio Mane and Riyad Mahrez due to the fact that they were not convincing enough in the group stage of the tournament.
Morocco's national team, which are currently dominating the 2023 African Nations Cup, have the highest number of players in the Group Stage Best XI. The Atlas Lions have four players in the Group Stage Best XI.
Senegal National Team are second, with three players in the Best XI following a perfect finish in the group stage.
Equatorial Guinea have two players, and Angola and DR Congo contribute one player each.
In the official CAF Group Stage Best XI, the football association picked Equatorial Guinea goalkeeper Jesus Owono; the Deportivo Alves goalkeeper has conceded just one goal so far in the tournament.
For the right-back position, Achraf Hakimi, who plays for the Morocco national team, was selected.
The Paris Saint-Germain defender continued with his impressive World Cup performance in the AFCON.
For the center defense, Senegal engine room Kalidou Koulibaly and Morocco defender Nayef Aguerd made the list due to their ability to confidently stop counterattacks.
DR Congo left back Arthur Masuaku was selected by CAF.
He was instrumental in the DR Congo Round of 16 qualification for the tournament. The defender was never substituted in those Group Stage matches.
Sofyan Amrabat and Azzedine Ounahi, who are both Moroccan internationals, were also named as part of the AFCON XI.
Senegal midfielder Lamine Camara also made the list after scoring two goals in three matches.
The current 2023 African Cup of Nations highest goal scorer Emilio Nsue got picked ahead of African Footballer of the Year Victor Osimhen. Nsue had been a top-notch player in the tournament, scoring five goals in three matches.
Senegal's Ismaila Sarr and Angola's attacker Gelson Dala are also part of the starting lineup.
Both players have skills and agility in common. They had contributed immensely to the Round of 16 qualification of their respective international teams.
AFCON Group Stage Best XI
Goalkeeper:
Jesús Owono, Equatorial Guinea, Deportivo Alaves
Defenders:
Achraf Hakimi, Morocco, PSG
Kalidou Koulibaly, Senegal, and Al-Hilal
Nayef Aguerd, Morocco, West Ham United
Arthur Masuaku, DR Congo, Besiktas
Midfielders
Azzedine Ounahi, Morocco, Olympique de Marseille
Sofyan Amrabat, Morocco, Manchester United
Lamine Camara, Senegal, FC Metz
Forwards:
Gelson Dala, Angola, and Al-Wakrah
Emilio Nsue, Equatorial Guinea, CF Inter City
Ismailia Sarr, Senegal, Olympique de Marseille
What do you think about the Best XI line-up? Air your views in the comment section.