Mohammed Kudus the star player in AFCON group stage best XI
With the Africa Cup of Nations group stages done and dusted, we take a look at the team of the round. Featuring those to have made at least two appearances, stars from Ghana, Morocco, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Angola, Cape Verde, Tunisia, Senegal and Mauritania all make the cut.
Jesus Owono (Equatorial Guinea) - 7.47
The first of two Equatorial Guinea representatives in the XI, Jesus Owono made a total of 10 saves across his three group stage outings, that ranking second, and provided an assist as the 22-year-old returned a WhoScored rating of 7.47.
Achraf Hakimi (Morocco) - 7.79
Featuring at right-back in the group stage best XI is Morocco's Achraf Hakimi, who earned a WhoScored rating of 7.79. Hakimi was directly involved in two Atlas Lions goals across their 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.
Kialonda Gaspar (Angola) - 7.39
Angola booked their spot in the next round of AFCON in part due to Kialonda Gaspar's performances at the back. The towering centre-back returned a WhoScored rating of 7.39 as he ranked second for clearances (23) and joint-first for aerial duels won (21) to make the cut.
Logan Costa (Cape Verde) - 7.33
Joining Gaspar at the heart of the defence is Cape Verde centre-back Logan Costa. The 22-year-old was key in setting up a last-16 meeting with Mauritania having ranked 15th for clearances (13) and 13th for tackles (8) to contribute towards a WhoScored rating of 7.33.
Rounding off the backline is Tunisia's Ali Abdi, who garnered a WhoScored rating of 7.31 in the group stages. While Tunisia failed to make it beyond the group stages at AFCON, Abdi still did all he could to help his side, making four key passes and providing one assist in his two outings.
It's an all-Morocco right flank in the group stage best XI with Hakim Ziyech good value for his inclusion. The Galatasaray man was directly involved in two goals in his three appearances, netting once in a player of the match performance against Zambia, while six key passes ranked sixth in the group stages.
Ghana disappointed at AFCON, crashing out in the group stages, but Mohammed Kudus did enough to return a WhoScored rating of 8.28, that better than any other player in the competition so far. Kudus netted twice in his two outings and completed the third most dribbles (8) to nail down his spot in the side.
Lamine Camara (Senegal) - 7.92
Linking up with Kudus in the middle of the park is Senegal's Lamine Camara, who returned a WhoScored rating of 7.92 from his two outings. Like Kudus, Camara also netted twice in the group stages as the 20-year-old impressed in the middle of the park for the defending AFCON champions.
Aboubakary Koita (Mauritania) - 7.68
Mauritania booked their AFCON last-16 spot with a memorable win over Algeria and their star performer from the group stages was winger Aboubakary Koita. The 25-year-old netted once in the group stages of the tournament and completed more dribbles (11) than any other player to nail down the left wing spot.
Emilio Nsue (Equatorial Guinea) - 8.03
Starring on the frontline is the second Equatorial Guinea representative in the XI. Emilio Nsue scored more goals (5) than any other player in the group stages of AFCON, a fine feat for a player who plays in defence at club level. Nsue was also one of only two players to win multiple player of the match awards (2) to help return a WhoScored rating of 8.03.
Mostafa Mohamed (Egypt) - 7.94
Completing the XI is Egypt forward Mostafa Mohamed with a WhoScored rating of 7.94. The 26-year-old netted three times as the Pharaohs successfully secured their place in the next round of AFCON. Only Victor Osimhen (13) managed more shots than Mohamed (12) in the group stages to justify Mohamed's inclusion.
