Following the completion of the group stage matches, the Confederation of Africa Football (CAF), has released a combined first XI of players that shone in the group stage and it is unsurprising that no Super Eagles player made the cut.
AFCON 2023: Super Eagles of Nigeria players were all excluded as the Confederation of Africa Football, (CAF) released the Best Group Stage team of the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations, AFCON in Ivory Coast.
Although Nigeria’s Super Eagles reached the knockout stage without a defeat after two victories and a draw in the group stage, CAF did not pick any player from Jose Pesiero’s men.
North African Side Morocco dominated the Group Stage 11 with four players closely followed by defending champions, Senegal with three players.
Nigeria’s Group A opponents, Equitorial Guinea has two players in the team while DR Congo and Angola produced a player each.
The Group Stage Best XI Include:
Goalkeeper.
Jesus Owono Equitorial Guinea
Defenders:
Achrafa Hakimi Morocco
Kalidou Koulibaly. Senegal
Nayef Agured Morocco
Arthur Masuaku DR Congo
Midfielders:
Azzedine Ounahi Morocco
Sofyan Amarbat Morocco
Lamine Camara Senegal
Forwards:
Gelson Dala – Angola
Emilio Nsue – Equitorial Guinea
Ismaila Sarr – Senegal
On the individual awards, Senegal Coach, Aliou Cisse won the Coach of the Best Group Stage after he guided his lads to three wins out of three matches, scoring 8 goals and conceding just once.
Jesus Owono of Equitorial Guinea won the Best Goalkeeper while Lamine Camara of Senegal got the Best Young Player accolade.
The AFCON 2023 tournament continues on Saturday following a 2 days rest on thursday and Friday.
The Round of 16 fixtures resumes this Saturday, As Angola will take on Namibia by 6pm while Nigeria will face Cameroon by 9pm.
