Super Eagles Stars Troost-Ekong, Lookman, and Aina Shine in CAF’s AFCON Best XI, Osimhen Misses Out
Super Eagles trio, William Troost-Ekong, Ademola Lookman, and Ola Aina, have made it to the CAF Best XI of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast. Surprisingly, Victor Osimhen, the reigning CAF Player of The Year, was noticeably absent from the list.
Despite Osimhen’s significant contributions to Nigeria’s performance at the AFCON, where he played a part in four out of the team’s eight goals, he was omitted from the Confederation of African Football AFCON XI.
The Technical Study Group of the Confederation of African Football announced the lineup on Wednesday, four days after the tournament’s final. The hosts clinched their third title with a 2-1 victory over Nigeria at the Alassane Ouattara Stadium on Sunday.
Nigeria and Ivory Coast dominated the team, each contributing three players, while South Africa and DR Congo had two representatives each.
Rowen Williams, South Africa’s standout goalkeeper in the tournament, secured a spot in goal for the Best XI in a 4-3-3 formation.
Troost-Ekong, a standout performer for Nigeria, earned the title of the tournament’s Most Valuable Player. He partnered with DR Congo captain Chancel Mbemba in central defense, while Ola Aina and Ivory Coast’s Ghislain Konan occupied the fullback positions.
In midfield, South Africa’s Teboho Mokoena and Ivory Coast’s Jean Michael-Seri formed a double pivot alongside Frank Kessie.
The attacking trio featured tournament top scorer Emilio Nsue, the captain of Equatorial Guinea, along with Nigeria’s Ademola Lookman and DR Congo’s Yoane Wissa.
Emerse Fae, the Ivory Coast coach, received recognition as the tournament’s best coach and led the CAF Best XI.