The Confédération Africaine de Football (“CAF”) Technical Study Group (“TSG”) has on Wednesday released the Best XI for the CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), Cote d’Ivoire 2023.The TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Cote d’Ivoire 2023, widely regarded as the best “AFCON” ever, concluded on Sunday in epic fashion with hosts, Ivory Coast completing one of the greatest comebacks by winning 2-1 against Nigeria at Alassane Ouattara Stadium in Abidjan.##NAJAVA_MECA_7872797##Sebastien Haller, who has battled back from cancer to resume his career, scored an impressive winner to provide the Elephants with only their third-ever Africa Cup of Nations title.The CAF Technical Study Group has been following and analyzing the tournament and its trends from the onset to the conclusion.Hosts Cote d’Ivoire, the new African champions as expected, have the highest representation with three names in the Best Xl: Ghislan Konan, Jean Michael Seri, and Franck Kessie. Kessie inspired the West African country to victory after netting an equalizer that proved a turning point for Emerse Fae’s charges.Nigeria, who finished as the first runners-up, also have three representatives on the list: Ola Aina, William Troost-Ekong, and Ademola Lookman.South Africa, who entered the competition as underdogs but marched gallantly to a third-place finish have keeper, Ronwen Williams, and Teboho Mokoena. Williams made history when he saved four penalties against Cape Verde to send Bafana Bafana into the last four.DR Congo, who used the competition to appeal for peace back at home and went all the way to bag fourth place finish, also have two players on the list: Yoane Wissa and Chancel Mbemba.AFCON 2023: Mozzart Sport Kenya’s team of the tournamentThe Best Xl: With Williams in goals, Nigeria’s Aina and Troost-Ekong showcased their defensive prowess, earning spots in the backline alongside Cote d’Ivoire’s Konan and DR Congo’s 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. The trio collectively contributed ten goals in the tournament with Lookman netting thrice while Wissa found the back of the net two times.Nsue stands out as the competition’s top scorer with five goals, despite his team not reaching the semi-finals.🏟 Games played: 7✅ Clean sheets: 5⏱ Minutes played: 690⚽ Goals conceded: 3🧤 Saves: 20🏆 Best goalkeeper awardHere’s a look back to Ronwen Williams’ best saves at the #TotalEnergiesAFCON2023 pic.twitter.com/VixECeS4bH— SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) February 13, 2024 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 KessieStrikers: Yoane Wissa (DR Congo), Ademola Lookman (Nigeria), Emilio Nsue (Equatorial Guinea)© Additional reporting by CAF
