AFCON 2023 was a huge success as every element needed to make a football tournament successful was in abundance- the goals, the heartbreaks, the excitement and the shocks were all rolled into one.
On Sunday night in Abidjan at the Alessane Ouattara Stadium in front of a fully charged 60,000 spectators, Ivory Coast came from behind to win 2-1 against the Super Eagles to clinch the coveted AFCON trophy for the third time.
Stars were born in the 2023 AFCON as many players showed the stuff they are made of.
CAF on Wednesday revealed their Best XI players of the just-ended tournament with the host Ivory Coast having three players in the team. Second-place Nigeria also have three players in the team. Third-place team Bafana Bafana have two players as well as DR Congo with Equatorial Guinea having one player to complete the list.
CAF’s official Best Xl of the 2023 AFCON
4-3-3
Goalkeeper
Name: Ronwen Williams
Country: South Africa
Age: 32
Appearances: 7
No one will argue William’s position as he proved that he is indeed among the top three goalkeepers of the African continent.
Ronwen Williams has been an incredible goalkeeper for Mamelodi Sundowns and the Bafana Bafana for the last two years.
In the 2023 AFCON, Williams kept 5 clean sheets in 7 games and made two crucial one-on-one saves against Nigeria and DR Congo.
In the quarter-finals against Cape Verde, Williams superbly saved 4 of Cape Verde’s 5 penalties. He saved 2 of DR Congo’s 6 to win a bronze medal for South Africa.
Right-back
Name: Ola Aina
Country: Nigeria
Age: 27
Appearance: 7
Ola Aina was one of the best defenders of the 2023 AFCON as he helped Nigeria defy all odds to reach the finals. The Nottingham Forest wing-back played on both wings for Nigeria as a right wing-back or left wing-back. He was instrumental in Jose Peseiro’s decision to switch to the back three after the first game against Equatorial Guinea.
The Nigerian defender is extremely dangerous when going forward as he can dribble and cross the ball with ease. His ability to join the defence was excellent.
Khuliso Mudua is another right-back who also deserved the slot after a wonderful display at the right-back position for South Africa but Ola Aina’s selection can not be argued.
Left-back
Name: Ghislain Konan
Country: Ivory Coast
Age: 28
Appearances: 7
Ghislain Konan was a constant menace on the left side for Ivory Coast in the seven games they played in the AFCON. The Al Feiha left-back’s partnership with Simon Adingra in the knockout stage was phenomenal as he made the work a bit easier for the youngster. Konan was the best left back in the 2023 AFCON as none of the other left-backs was able to put up the performance of the former Asec Mimosas defender.
Konan’s fighting spirit and decision-making were incredible at the 2023 AFCON.
Right Center back
Name: William Troost-Ekong
Country: Nigeria
Age: 30
Appearances: 6
Of all the captains in the 2023 AFCON, none was as influential as Nigeria’s PAOK defender William Troost-Ekong. His confidence was unbelievable as he stepped up to convert crucial penalties against South Africa and Ivory Coast.
In the finals, his powerful header put Nigeria in a commanding position before halftime. William Troost-Ekong was the best captain in the AFCON 2023 by exhibiting great leadership qualities. Many legendary forward players in the AFCON struggled to score goals but a centre-back in the person of William Troost-Ekong scored three goals in 6 games. No wonder he won the best player of the tournament.
Left Center back
Name: Chancel Mbemba
Country: DR Congo
Age: 31
Appearances: 7
Another defender who showed great leadership at the 2023 AFCON was Mbemba. The Marseille defender wonderfully led the Congolese army.
Mbemba was so solid at the back for the Leopards as they conceded 5 goals in 7 matches in the AFCON 2023.
Mbemba equalised for DR Congo when they went down early against Guinea in the quarter-finals. The powerful centre-back controlled DR Congo’s back with superb performances.
Midfield
Name: Teboho Mokoena
Country: South Africa
Age: 27
Appearances: 7
Teboho Mokoena played every single minute and never disappointed a bit. The Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder enjoyed the AFCON 2023 as he dazzled from the group stage to the knockout stage. His free kick against Morocco was sublime. Mokoena’s calmness on the ball and his ability to dictate the game is excellent.
Name: Jean Michel Seri
Country: Ivory Coast
Age: 32
Appearances: 4
The 32-year-old Hull City midfielder did not make a single appearance in the group stage as Sangare, Fofana and Kessie were all chosen ahead of him by Jean-Louis Gasset. Emerse Fae fielded him in Ivory Coast’s first knockout game against Senegal and looked undroppable throughout the knockout phase. Jean-Michel Seri made a huge impact as he linked the defence and the playmakers with his immense experience.
Name: Frank Kessie
Country: Ivory Coast
Age: 27
Appearances: 7
Frank Kessie was excellent, superb and fantastic in Ivory Coast’s quest for the third AFCON title.
Frank Kessie calmed things down when the Ivory Coast was under immense pressure. A late penalty was converted by Kessie against Senegal to level the score 1-1. He also scored the winning penalty against the Lions of Teranga. In the finals against Nigeria, Frank Kessie equalised before Haller scored the winning goal for the Elephants.
Forward
Left forward
Name: Ademola Lookman
Country: Nigeria
Age: 26
Appearances: 7
Ademola Lookman troubled defenders in the AFCON with his blistering pace and dribbling. Lookman scored the only goal against Angola as his brace against Cameroon doubled Nigeria’s confidence in the tournament. Ademola Lookman was a huge threat in Nigeria’s attack as defenders struggled to deal with him. His partnership with Osimhen and Moses Simon was dangerous as Peseiro was able to get the best out of the trio.
Right forward
Name: Yoane Wissa
Country: DR Congo
Age: 27
Appearance: 7
Yoane Wissa scored twice in 7 games for DR Congo. He was seen across the front everywhere on the pitch in the attack for DR Congo. Wissa is a threat whenever he is on the pitch. He is quick and knows how to dribble, and his link-up play was excellent. Wissa could have scored more goals had DR Congo not been poor in front of goal.
Centre Forward
Name: Emilio Nsue
Country: Equatorial Guinea
Age: 34
Appearances: 4
Right-back defender in most of his career games but was converted as a striker and he delivered in the 2023 AFCON. Emilio Nsue scored 5 goals in just 4 games for Equatorial Guinea by scoring a hat trick against Guinea Bissau and a brace against Ivory Coast. The Intercity forward was the best player by far in the tournament until Equatorial Guinea was eliminated.
He was too hot to handle by defenders as his positioning was so great. Emilio Nsue destroyed Ivory Coast and Guinea Bissau albeit he missed a penalty against Cape Verde in the Round 16.
