AFCON 2023: Mohammed Kudus misses out on group stage best XI

Mohammed Kudus has been omitted from the Confederation of African Football’s (CAF) Best XI players from the group stage of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

Despite his impressive performances for the Black Stars, Kudus failed to secure a spot in the lineup dominated by tournament favourites Senegal and Morocco, highlighting their promising start to the competition.

The CAF-released 4-3-3 system features Senegal’s 20-year-old Lamine Camara on the left midfield, who not only earned a spot in the Best XI but also was adjudged the best young player of the group stage. Camara is joined by Morocco’s Sofyan Amrabat and Azzedine Ounahi in the midfield.

Equatorial Guinea’s Emilio Nsue, the current top scorer with five goals in three games, leads the attack alongside Gelson Dala and Ismaila Sarr. The goalkeeper slot in the Best XI went to Equatorial Guinea’s Jesus Owono, with Achraf Hakimi, Nayef Aguerd, Kalidou Koulibaly, and Arthur Masuaku forming the formidable back four.