Following the successful hosting of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) held in Ivory Coast, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) Technical Study Group (TSG) released the Best Eleven for the tournament.
The 2023 AFCON, widely regarded as the best “AFCON” ever, ended on Sunday with host nation Ivory Coast beating Nigeria 2-1 to win their third AFCON in an epic comeback at Alassane Ouattara Stadium in Abidjan.
Nigeria’s Super Eagles and tournament winners the Elephants of Ivory Coast had the highest number of players represented on the Best Eleven list.
William Troost-Ekong, who won the Player of the Tournament alongside Ola Aina and Ademola Lookman were named in the best eleven list.
Victor Osimhen, the 2023 African footballer of the year, was conspicuously missing from the best eleven.
Ivory Coast and host nation for the tournament also had three players in the 2023 AFCON Best Eleven with Ghislan Konan, Jean Michael Seri and Franck Kessie, whose goal in the final helped the Elephants side to secure a vital final victory.
South Africa, who entered the competition as underdogs but claimed a pleasant third-place finish had goalkeeper Ronwen Williams and Teboho Mokoena. Williams made history when he saved four penalties in one match during the competition.
DR Congo, fourth place finish, also had two names: Yoane Wissa and Chancel Mbemba.
2023 AFCON Best Eleven:
With Williams in goals, Nigeria’s Aina and Troost-Ekong showcased their defensive prowess, earning spots in the backline alongside Ivory Coast’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.
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
Strikers: Yoane Wissa (DR Congo), Ademola Lookman (Nigeria), Emilio Nsue (Equatorial Guinea)
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