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By Johnny Edward
Football statistics website, Whoscored.com released the group stage Best XI for the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations with no Super Eagles players listed, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.
Whoscored’s Best XI featured players who made at least two appearances in the group stage of the competition with stars from Ghana, Morocco, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Angola, Cape Verde, Tunisia, Senegal and Mauritania all making the shortlist.
The Eagles, who parade the reigning African Player of The Year Victor Osimhen in their ranks, reached the last 16 of the tournament after finishing second in Group A with seven points behind Equatorial Guinea, who emerged winners of the group with superior goals difference.
Despite parading a star-studded attack at the tournament, no player from the squad has been exemplary in the group stage of the tournament.
In goal, Whoscored named Equatorial Guinea Jesus Owono. The Deportivo Alaves goalkeeper made a total of 10 saves in the three group games he played in. The 22-year-old won the man-of-the-match award in their opener against the Eagles and was rated 7.47 by the website.
The quartet of Morocco’s Achraf Hakimi, Kialonda Gaspar from Angola, Cape Verde’s Logan Costa and Ali Abdi of Tunisia completed the Whoscored defence line.
Hakimi, who earned a spot at right back in WhoScored best X1 as he was directly involved in two Atlas Lions goals across three games, scoring once, while he was unfortunate to register just one assist having made 10 key passes; no player has made more at AFCON so far. He was rated 7.79
Gaspar on his part recorded the second most clearances (23) at the tournament and is joint-first for aerial duels won (21) to make the cut. He had a rating of 7.39.
In midfield, Hakim Ziyech (Morocco),Mohammed Kudus (Ghana), Lamine Camara (Senegal) and Aboubakary Koita (Mauritania) were listed, while duo Emilio Nsue of Equatorial Guinea and Mostafa Mohamed of Egypt complete the Whoscored Best X1 of the group stage.