The Confédération Africaine de Football (“CAF”) Technical Study Group (“TSG”) has released the Best XI for the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations, Cote d'Ivoire 2023.
The TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Cote d'Ivoire 2023, widely regarded as the best “AFCON” ever, concluded on Sunday in epic fashion with hosts, Cote d'Ivoire completing one of the greatest comebacks by winning against Nigeria at Alassane Ouattara Stadium in Abidjan.
The CAF Technical Study Group has been following and analysing the tournament and its trends from day one.
Hosts Cote d'Ivoire, the new African champions, have three names in the Best Xl: Ghislan Konan, Jean Michael Seri and Franck Kessie. Kessie's goal in the final helped the home side to secure the title.
Nigeria also have three names on the list: Ola Aina, William Troost-Ekong and Ademola Lookman.
South Africa, who entered the competition as underdogs but marched gallantly to a third-place finish have keeper, Ronwen Williams and Teboho Mokoena. Williams made history when he saved four penalties in one match during the competition.
DR Congo, fourth-place, also had two names: Yoane Wissa and Chancel Mbemba.
The Best Xl:
Goalkeeper: Ronwen Williams (South Africa)
Defenders: Ola Aina (Nigeria), Ghislan Konan (Cote d'Ivoire), William Troost-Ekong (Nigeria), Chancel Mbemba (DR Congo).
Midfielders: Teboho Mokoena (South Africa), Jean Michael Seri (Cote d'Ivoire), Franck Kessie (Cote d'Ivoire)
Strikers: Yoane Wissa (DR Congo), Ademola Lookman (Nigeria), Emilio Nsue (Equatorial Guinea)
With Williams in goals, Nigeria's Aina and Troost-Ekong showcased their defensive prowess, earning spots in the backline alongside Cote d'Ivoire's Konan and DR Congo's Chancel Mbemba.
In midfield, a diverse array of talent emerges, with South Africa's Mokoena providing defensive stability alongside Cote d'Ivoire's Jean Michael Seri and Kessie.
Upfront, the striking duo of Yoane Wissa from DR Congo and Nigeria's Ademola Lookman bring flair and potency to the forward line, complemented by Equatorial Guinea's Emilio Nsue, whose attacking threat kept defenders on their toes.
Nsue stands out as the competition's top scorer with five goals, despite his team not reaching the semi-finals.
Davichi
528
They were all fantastic but Stanley was equally the best goal keeper alongside Ronwen and Osimhen was so unlucky in this tournament with the disallowed goals and poor delivery from his team mates.
abdulocean
523
and the player of the tournament is not in the of the tournament hmmmm!!!!
E9604
491
Me looking for Messi in the team be like
PanAteLexis
272
man of the tournament, In my captain, I Troost. We may have lost the finals, but we are still Giants of Africa, na we make AFCON sweet 🇳🇬
kikacklmps
270
Adingra the dream come true maker the golden Arrow
Rubabcdlmt
197
EPL can learn on the VAR on Afcon. Integrity speaks aloud!!
chris_lamboo
76
I Even checked the bench i did not find any Ghanian player
Davichi
18
Osimhen wasted very good chances and I (being a Nigerian) won't pick him for the best 11 due to wasted chances and less goal contributions; although the Emilio Nsue was just fortunate to score in two games that took them nowhere near Medal. Even Emilio Nsue was lucky to be in the best 11 but since known did better, he deserves it because he was fantastic with shots on target unlike Osimhen
You tried but you failed to understand the real challenges Osimhen had. Nigerian wingers were very poor with their passes in the final 3rd and crosses as well. Most of those chances he missed were because the crosses were too high and certain points those wingers, especially Lookman, could have passed to him in a good scoring position they opted to go sole and wasted the chances. Look at that cross that led to the winning goal for Ivory Coast and tell me which of those wingers were able to produce such quality. In fact Osimhen had better passes in the final 3rd then them. Finally, there's something you need to understand about strikers. When they're not getting proper service there is a tendency for them to become too anxious and that would play on their performance. Højlund is a perfect example at Manchester United but once ETH moved Garnacho to the right with Rashford on the left, he started scoring goals.
sahbekorsz
8
They were all fantastic but Stanley was equally the best goal keeper alongside Ronwen and Osimhen was so unlucky in this tournament with the disallowed goals and poor delivery from his team mates.
Osimhen wasted very good chances and I (being a Nigerian) won't pick him for the best 11 due to wasted chances and less goal contributions; although the Emilio Nsue was just fortunate to score in two games that took them nowhere near Medal. Even Emilio Nsue was lucky to be in the best 11 but since known did better, he deserves it because he was fantastic with shots on target unlike Osimhen