Super Eagles star Victor Osimhen was notably absent when the Confederation of African Football's Technical Study Group revealed the best XI players of the recently concluded 2024 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON 2024).
Leading up to the tournament, the Napoli forward was the standout player whom everyone – from Nigerian football enthusiasts to neutrals – expected to dominate the competition and generate widespread discussion.
However the highly-sought-after African footballer failed to live up to expectations, managing to score only one goal as the Super Eagles lost to Ivory Coast in the finals on February 11 at the Alassane Ouattara Stadium.
Super Eagles and Ivory Coast dominate list
The two AFCON 2024 finalists each had three players selected in CAF's Team of the Tournament, demonstrating their dominance.
Nigeria boasted skipper William Troost-Ekong, who was adjudged the best player of the tournament, Ademola Lookman, who scored three goals for the Super Eagles, and Ola Aina, who excelled in all the games he featured in for the team.
The Elephants of Ivory Coast also featured left-back Ghislain Konan, along with midfielders Franck Kessié and Jean-Michel Seri.
Bafana Bafana's Ronwen Williams, who emerged as the best goalkeeper of the tournament, is one of two South Africans named in the list, alongside Teboho Mokoena.
Semi-finalists DR Congo had skipper Chancel Mbemba and forward Yoane Wissa making appearances, with Equatorial Guinea's Emilio Nsue completing the list.
Emerse Faé named AFCON 2024's best coach
Following Ivory Coast's disappointing performance on their home turf during the AFCON, a surprising turn of events unfolded on January 20th: Jean-Louis Gasset was dismissed from his coaching position after a humiliating 4-0 defeat against Equatorial Guinea.
Facing the looming threat of elimination in the group stage, the federation made a bold decision, appointing the inexperienced Emerse Faé as interim head coach.
Faé worked wonders with the team, securing victories against defending champions Senegal in the Round of 16, pre-tournament favorites Mali in the quarter-finals, and DR Congo in the semi-finals.
In a remarkable comeback, Faé's troops overcame a one-goal deficit against the Super Eagles to clinch Ivory Coast's third AFCON title.
