AFCON Best XI of the Group Stage: Emilio Nsue Leads with Osimhen, Mane and Kudus Missing

• The best XI from the group stage of AFCON 2023 have been released
• Top stars like Victor Osimhen and Sadio Mane did not make the team
• Equatorial Guinea star, Emilio Nsue leads the group stage's top stars

The group stage of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations produced some of the best individual performances in the tournament's history, with a player from the third division of Spanish football leading the goal king race.

Emilio Nsue's five goals in three matches for Equatorial Guinea have placed him above some of the finest strikers in the world at the competition in Cote d'Ivoire.

While Victor Osimhen, Mohamed Salah, and Mohammed Kudus were expected to make a showcase of the tournament, all three had a disappointing campaign.

On Thursday evening, Africa's football governing body, CAF announced the best eleven from the group stages of the tournament on their official social media handles.

Rulani Mokwena identifies Super Eagles' striker Victor Osimhen, several others as stars to watch at AFCON

Football

The team is dominated by players from Senegal and Morocco, the tournament's favourites, as well as a few from Equatorial Guinea.

Nzalang Nacional goalkeeper, Jesus Owono was picked between the sticks ahead of Morocco's Yassine Bounou and Senegal's Edouard Mendy.

The defence is made up of Achraf Hakimi and Nayef Aguerd of Morocco alongside Senegal's Kalidou Koulibaly and Arthur Masuaku of DR Congo.

The midfield is comprised of the Atlas Lions' Sofyan Amrabat and Azzedine Ounahi, along with Teranga Lions youngster, Lamine Camara.

Nsue leads the attack alongside Gelson Dala of Angola and Senegal's Ismaila Sarr.

The knockout stage of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations begins on Saturday with Angola facing Namibia and Nigeria taking on Cameroon, per Sky Sports.

Nsue scores hat-trick at AFCON 2023

Sports Brief also previously reported on Spanish-born Equatorial Guinea star, Nsue scoring the first AFCON 2023 hat-trick with his display for Equatorial Guinea.

AFCON 2023: Equatorial Guinea goalkeeper shares insight on stopping Nigeria’s Victor Osimhen

Football

The 34-year-old led Nzalang Nacional to an emphatic win in the first game of the second round of group-stage games against Guinea-Bissau to go top of Group A.

Nsue would go on to add another two goals to his tally as Equatorial Guinea thrashed host nation, Cote d'Ivoire in Abidjan to leave the Elephants on the brink.