This year’s AFCON has come to an end with the hosts Ivory Coast claiming victory over Nigeria in Abidjan. It was a tournament full of fantastic goals, fantastic skills and crazy storylines.
Ivory Coast’s Sebastien Haller scored with less than 10 minutes remaining to give the Elephants a 2-1 win in front of their fans. What makes the feat more impressive, is the team lost two group games, sacked manager Jean-Louis Gasset before even finding out if they were one of the best third placed teams, and yet went on to be victorious.
As a viewer it has been a brilliant watch and I have loved every second of it. With so many great performances, I have decided to make my AFCON 2023 Team of the Tournament.
GK – Ronwen Williams, South Africa
There were so many great goal keeper performances throughout the tournament, but Ronwen Williams of the Mamelodi Sundowns takes the spot for me. South Africa needed his heroics to get them into the semi-finals and he was brilliant in both the games and penalty shootouts on route to their third-place finish.
In seven games, he conceded just three goals, two against Mali in the opener and then one against eventual runners-up Nigeria, and that was from the penalty spot. The final three games of South Africa’s run all went to penalties, Williams faced 17 penalties and saved six of them. He fully deserved the Best Goalkeeper award.
Honorable Mentions: Vozinha (Cape Verde), Stanley Nwabali (Nigeria)
RB – Hamari Traore – Mali
Hamari Traore was a constant threat from the right-back position for an impressive Mali team. The skipper led by example as his nation made it to the quarter-finals, eventually losing to Ivory Coast in extra-time.
One slight on the Real Sociedad defender is the red card he received at the end of that game after the referee didn’t allow Mali to take the corner and tempers flared. He scored in his side’s opener against South Africa and assisted the winning goal in the round of 16 win over Burkina Faso and overall he was impressive all tournament in both the attacking and defending phases.
Honorable Mentions: Ola Aina (Nigeria), Khuliso Mudau (South Africa)
CB – William Troost-Ekong, Nigeria
The Super Eagles captain was a rock throughout and deservedly won Player of the Tournament. William Troost-Ekong was so strong defensively and ended the tournament with three goals.
He gave his side the lead just before half-time in the final with a monstrous header and he didn’t put a foot wrong all game. Despite not lifting the trophy at the end, Troost-Ekong was magnificent all tournament.
CB – Logan Costa – Cape Verde
Cape Verde’s Logan Costa takes the other central spot in the defence after a really strong tournament as his side made it all the way to the quarter-finals. They topped a group that contained Ghana and Egypt, with many thinking they could cause a real upset.
The Toulouse defender is just 22-years old but was playing like a veteran that had multiple AFCON’s under his belt. He is incredibly comfortable on the ball and his defensive ability speaks for itself. Costa is one to watch for the future and he is at a great club to develop his craft.
Honorable Mentions: Kialonda Gaspar (Angola), Roberto Lopes (Cape Verde), Chancel Mbemba (DR Congo), Ahmed Hegazy (Egypt), Evan Ndicka (Ivory Coast), Calvin Bassey (Nigeria)
LB – Arthur Masuaku – DR Congo
Former West Ham defender Arthur Masuaku was so consistent throughout the tournament and was a key player in DR Congo’s run to the semi-finals. His direct freekick goal against Guinea was similar to that of one he scored against Chelsea not long ago and it makes you wonder if he means to directly score from a cross.
Going forward he was one of the biggest threats and combined well with the likes of Yoane Wissa and Gael Kakuta. Defensively he was solid all tournament and never put a foot wrong.
Honorable Mentions: Falaye Sacko (Mali), Audrey Modiba (South Africa)
CM – Teboho Mokoena – South Africa
Another member of South Africa’s great side makes it in midfield. Teboho Mokoena really shone for them and everything went through him on their way to the third-place finish.
He finished the tournament with an assist and key goals against Morocco with a brilliant freekick late on to win 2-0, then a last-minute penalty against Nigeria to send the game to extra-time. Mokoena is so well-rounded as a player and has a great engine on him. Going forward he will be a really important player to this South African side.
CM – Frank Kessie – Ivory Coast
It feels strange to have just one Ivory Coast player in this team despite them winning the tournament. Frank Kessie was so solid in midfield and at times was really having to carry his side when they were struggling.
He opened the tournament with an assist within the first five minutes, before going on to score the equalising penalty and then winning penalty in the shootout win over Senegal. In the final he got his side back on level terms as well with a 62nd minute header that changed the entire momentum of the game.
CM – Aguibou Camara, Guinea
Guinea were another side that caught the eye in the tournament, making it to the quarter-finals before suffering a 3-1 defeat to DR Congo. In their midfield was young Aguibou Camara and throughout he was brilliant in all aspects of the game.
He scored the only goal against Gambia and stood out in a midfield that had the likes of Naby Keita, Amadou Diawara and Ilaix Moriba. Despite those names, he shone and played in every game ahead of those, and the 22-year old has an incredibly bright future.
Honorable Mentions: Fredy (Angola), Seko Fofana (Ivory Coast), Kamory Doumbia (Mali), Alex Iwobi (Nigeria), Frank Onyeka (Nigeria), Themba Zwane (South Africa)
RW – Gelson Dala, Angola
Angola’s Gelson Dala finished as the joint-second top scorer with four goals. He was a constant threat out wide for his nation as they made it to the quarter-finals, falling to defeat against Nigeria.
Alongside Mabululu, they had a great partnership and in another side that started to build steam and looked like potentially causing an upset. It wasn’t to be for Dala, but his pace and directness was brilliant to watch throughout.
Honorable Mentions: Yoane Wissa (DR Congo), Percy Tau (South Africa)
ST – Emilio Nsue – Equatorial Guinea
The only player to not make it to the quarter-finals takes the striker spot and for a very good reason. Equatorial Guinea’s right-back turned forward Emilio Nsue took home the golden boot with five goals and all expertly taken.
His hat-trick against Guinea-Bissau was followed up by two more in his sides’ 4-0 demolition of the hosts and ultimately led to the sacking of Gasset. It was just incredible what the 34-year old was doing as he led his side to top the group including Ivory Coast and Nigeria.
Honorable Mentions: Mabululu (Angola), Mostafa Mohamed (Egypt)
LW – Ademola Lookman, Nigeria
Rounding off the team is possibly the most exciting player of the tournament as he took his club form onto the national stage. Nigeria’s Ademola Lookman was terrific throughout and every time he picked up the ball you felt the stadium on their feet to see what magic he was going to create.
He finished the tournament with three goals and one assist as he led the line alongside Victor Osimhen. Lookman’s form with Atalanta has been exceptional since arriving in Italy and it feels like the former Charlton youngster is finally fulfilling his potential.
Honorable Mentions: Simon Adingra (Ivory Coast), Sadio Mane (Senegal)
Will Moxon Sports 