OFFICIAL: CAF name AFCON Group Stage Best XI , 4 Bafana opponents incl.

CAF has announced the 2023 Africa Cup of Nation's best XI of the group stage, and it includes four players who will go up against Bafana Bafana in the round of 16!

The tournament's first round is done and dusted, with there having been a lot of drama as there were a few giant killings as well as success stories for some of the continent's minnows.

Read: Bafana star among AFCON 2023's top 11 scorers so far

While bona fide stars such as Mohamed Salah, Riyad Mahrez and Vincent Aboubakar have made little impact at the competition so far, lesser-known stars have stepped up and taken the showpiece by storm.

One particular example is Equatorial Guinea star Emilio Nsue, who is the tournament's top scorer so far with five goals in three group games.

It is no surprise then that the striker, who plies his trade in the Spanish third tier with CF Intercity, has been included in CAF's AFCON Best  XI of the group stage. 

The team is dominated by players from tournament favourites Morocco and Senegal, with the Atlas Lions having the most inclusions (four).

Paris Saint-Germain and West Ham United defensive pair Achraf Hakimi and Nayef Aguerd at right-back and centre-back, respectively, while Azzedine Ounahi of Olympique Marseille and Sofyan Amrabat of Manchester United have been selected as two of the group stage's best midfielders.

Senegal captain Kalidou Koulibaly stars at centre-back, with his compatriots Ismaila Sarr and 20-year-old sensation Lamine Camara also receiving the nod, the latter having registered two goals in two matches in his debut tournament.

Angola centre-forward Gelson Dala has been chosen as one of the best forwards so far thanks to his two goals from three games, helping the Mambas to qualification for the last 16.

In goal, Equatorial Guinea shot-stopper Jesus Owono made the team, having kept one clean sheet and conceded just three goals in three games, while DR Congo's Arthur Masuaku also features at left-back.

Read: Money Matters: 5 most expensive African transfers in Jan so far

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