Goalkeeper: Mohamed El-Shenawy (Egypt) - 7.42 rating
Securing his second WhoScored rating of 7.42 in a 2019 AFCON match, Egypt’s Mohamed El-Shenawy was a solid performer as the hosts secured their second win and clean sheet of the competition at DR Congo’s expense. In the 2-0 victory, the 30-year-old made three saves and won two aerial duels to cap a fine showing between the sticks.
Right-back: Ahmed El Mohamady (Egypt) - 7.75 rating
Pipping compatriot to the man of the match award against DR Congo, Aston Villa’s Ahmed El Mohamady is the second Egypt player to make the best XI as he gained a WhoScored rating of 7.75 in the 2-0 win. His goal came from two shots, while two aerial duels won and one tackle helped the right-back gain such a high score.
Centre-back: Kenneth Omeruo (Nigeria) - 8.86 rating
Nigeria scraped to their second 1-0 of the tournament at Guinea’s expense with Kenneth Omeruo the star man from the victory. His late strike came from his only shot in the victory, while four aerial duels won, five clearances, four tackles and three interceptions saw the defender secure a WhoScored rating of 8.86.
Centre-back: Pascal Razakanantenaina (Madagascar) - 7.96 rating
Partnering Omeruo at the heart of the defence is Madagascar’s Pascal Razakanantenaina, who landed a WhoScored rating of 7.96 in their 1-0 win over Burundi. The experienced centre-back was on hand to make more clearances (9) than any other player in the second round of AFCON 2019 games, while three tackles and three interceptions rounded off a fine showing for the 32-year-old.
Left-back: Sfiso Hlanti (South Africa) - 7.56 rating
Finishing the backline is South Africa’s Sfiso Hlanti with a WhoScored rating of 7.56. The left-back was solid in a 1-0 win over Namibia as he won three aerial duels, made four clearances, two tackles and one interception. An additional one key pass saw him make the best XI of the second round.
Right midfield: Percy Tau (South Africa) - 8.33 rating
Remaining with South Africa, Percy Tau makes the team of the round in right midfield with a WhoScored rating of 8.33. The 25-year-old provided the assist for Bongani Zungu’s winner against Namibia, that coming from one of two key passes. He could’ve helped himself to a goal too as he managed four shots, while three successful dribbles helped nail down a spot in this best XI.
Central midfield: Marco Ilaimaharitra (Madagascar) - 8.54 rating
Madagascar’s second representative in this XI is Marco Ilaimaharitra. Razakanantenaina shone at the back and it allowed the attacking players to impress, with Ilaimaharitra netting for the first time at AFCON 2019 with the only goal of the game in their 1-0 win over Burundi. His strike came from two shots, while four dribbles and two tackles saw him land a WhoScored rating of 8.54.
Central midfield: Diadie Samassekou (Mali) - 8.37 rating
Partnering Ilaimaharitra in the middle of the park is Malian star Diadie Samassekou. The Red Bull Salzburg ace netted a crucial goal in Mali’s 1-1 draw with Tunisia, that coming from one of two shots and it means the 23-year-old has a direct hand in a goal in his two AFCON outings. He made more interceptions (6) against Tunisia than any other player managed in the second round of the competition’s matches to help return a WhoScored rating of 8.37.
Left midfield: Ovidy Karuru (Zimbabwe) - 8.10 rating
Ovidy Karuru put in a man of the match display in Zimbabwe’s Group A draw with Uganda. He provided the assist for Khama Billiat’s first half equaliser in the 1-1 draw, that coming from one of five key passes, more than any other player in the second round of matches, as he gained a WhoScored rating of 8.10.
Striker: Youssef En-Nesyri (Morocco) - 8.39 rating
Youssef En-Nesyri scored the vital goal in Morocco’s 1-0 win over group rivals Ivory Coast to seal their spot in the next round of AFCON. The striker’s goal came from one of six shots in the victory as he also won more aerial duels (12) than any other player in this round of group games.
Striker: Michael Olunga (Kenya) - 9.58 rating
Saving the best until last, Michael Olunga earned a better WhoScored rating (9.58) than any other player in the second round of AFCON matches. The 25-year-old’s brace in a 3-2 win over Tanzania came from five efforts on goal, while additional returns of five aerial duels won, three clearances and two key passes capped a memorable performance from the Kenyan forward.
