AFCON 2023: Osimhen, Ola Aina, Calvin Bassey, Troost-Ekong, and others miss out as CAF names best XI for group stage

Victor Osimhen was named the Confederation of Africa Football Best Player OF The Year following his impressive performance in the 2022-23 season campaign

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has announced its best 11 for the group stage of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, and some notable Super Eagles stars, including Victor Osimhen, have been omitted from the list, Soccernet.ng reports.

Despite the Napoli forward recently being named the African Best Player of the Year, he did not find a place in the CAF XI.

Nigeria, managed by Jose Peseiro, secured seven points and finished as runners-up in a challenging group that included Guinea-Bissau, Equatorial Guinea, and the host nation, Côte d’Ivoire.

The team collectively made 41 goal attempts, with 14 on target, resulting in only one goal from the penalty spot, another scored by Osimhen, and one own goal.

The CAF XI, organised in a 4-3-3 formation, featured Equatorial Guinea’s goalkeeper Jesus Owono. Notably, Stanley Nwabali, despite making impressive saves, did not make the cut.

In defense, the likes of William Troost-Ekong, Ola Aina, and Calvin Bassey, who played crucial roles for Nigeria, were excluded. Instead, CAF selected Achraf Hakimi, Kalidou Koulibaly, Nayef Aguerd, and Arthur Masuaku for the defensive positions.

The midfield trio consisted of Azzedine Ouname, Manchester United’s defensive midfielder Soryan Amrabat, and Senegal’s Lamine Camara.

Surprisingly, Osimhen was omitted from the frontline, with Gelson Dala, Emilio Nsue, and Ismaila Sarr making the list.

Here is the list:

Meanwhile, as Nigeria prepares to face Cameroon in their upcoming game, Osimhen and other Nigerian internationals will be eager to make their mark and solidify their positions in the team.