CAF Announces Best 11 for the Group Stage of the 2023 AFCON

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has announced its best 11 for the group stage of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

Despite the Napoli forward recently being named the African best player of the year, he did not find a place in the CAF XI.

The CAF eleven, organized in a 4-3-3 formation, featured Equatorial Guinea’s goalkeeper Jesus Owono. Notably, Stanley Nwabali, despite making impressive saves, did not make the cut.

In defense, the likes of William Troost-Ekong, Ola Aina, and Calvin Bassey, who played crucial roles for Nigeria, were excluded.

Instead, CAF selected Achraf Hakimi, Kalidou Koulibaly, Nayef Aguerd and Arthur Masuaku for the defensive positions.

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The midfield trio consisted of Azzedine Ouname, Manchester United’s defensive midfielder Sofyan Amrabat and Senegal’s Lamine Camara.

Surprisingly, Osimhen was omitted from the frontline, with Gelson Dala, Emilio Nsue, and Ismaila Sarr making the list.

Senegal has three representatives in the team while Equatorial Guinea has two players, with top scorer, Emilio Nsue, leading the attack.

Nigeria’s coach, Jose Peseiro may feel hard done by after his Nigeria side finished the group unbeaten and conceded just two goals.

But with the knockout rounds still to come, the Super Eagles will be determined to prove they deserve more recognition from CAF at the AFCON 2023.