Osimhen Missing as Ekong, Lookman, Aina Make AFCON 2023 Best XI
Reigning African Player of the Year, Victor Osimhen, was omitted from the list of Best XI players selected by CAF’s Technical Study Group from the 34th Africa Cup of Nations concluded on Sunday in Abidjan with hosts Côte d’Ivoire emerging champions.
However, Osimhen’s On-field Captain, William Troost-Ekong, defender Ola Aina and forward, Ademola Lookman were listed in the squad unveiled yesterday by CAF.
The Napoli top striker scored just one goal and had three others nullified after VAR reviews. The most painful one was Nigeria’s second goal against South Africa’s Bafana Bafana in the semi final. Five Nigerians were reported to have died from the shock that followed the cancellation of that goal.
Ekong emerged as the Most Valuable Player of the tournament – the first time that a defender would win the accolade.
He also became the first player to score against Cote d’Ivoire in an AFCON final match. The previous final matches that Cote d’Ivoire played ended goalless and in shootouts.
The new African champions, Cote d’Ivoire, also have three players on the list. They include: Ghislan Konan, Jean Michael Seri and Franck Kessie. Kessie’s goal in the final helped the home side to secure the title.
He is the first Ivorian player to score in an AFCON final match as their previous matches had ended goalless.
But Sebastian Haller who scored the winning goal as well as the one that took Cote d’Ivoire to the final did not make the list.
South Africa, who entered the competition as underdogs but marched gallantly to a third-place finish has goalkeeper Ronwen Williams and attacking midfielder
Teboho Mokoena listed in the Best XI. Williams made history when he saved four penalties against Cape Verde during the competition.
DR Congo, fourth place, also contributed two players to the Best XI: Yoane Wissa and Chancel Mbemba.
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)