REVEALED: The best WhoScored rated XI from the AFCON group stage
Ahead of the knockout stage of the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations, here is the best WhoScored rated XI from the group phase of the competition, considering those to have featured in at least two matches.
Goalkeeper: Mohamed El-Shenawy (Egypt) - 7.59 rating
Egypt navigated through their group with three wins from three without conceding a single goal and goalkeeper Mohamed El-Shenawy picked up a WhoScored rating above 7.00 in every game, even finishing the group with a WhoScored Man of the Match performance against Uganda. He made 10 saves in those three matches.
Left-back: Ayman Ashraf (Egypt) - 7.37 rating
Ayman Ashraf not only played a key part for Egypt at the back, as they kept three clean sheets in a row, but the 28-year-old was also important going forward. The Al Ahly left-back registered two assists in three matches.
Centre-back: Kenneth Omeruo (Nigeria) - 8.09 rating
Nigeria secured their spot in the next round AFCON 2019, but did so in second behind Madagascar after their 2-0 loss to the Group B leaders. Kenneth Omeruo was central to Nigeria's efforts as he landed a WhoScored rating of 8.09, with the Super Eagles keeping clean sheets in his two games, which included a man of match display against Guinea.
Centre-back: Romain Saiss (Morocco) - 7.71 rating
Morocco also progressed to the knockout stage with three wins from three, though it was their defensive resilience that was most pleasing about their displays. They won all three matches 1-0, with Wolves ace Romain Saiss the pick of the bunch at the back. Saiss garnered a WhoScored rating about 7.50 in all three matches and was the WhoScored Man of the Match in their win over Namibia.
Right-back: Ahmed El Mohamady (Egypt) - 7.49 rating
Egypt captain Ahmed El Mohamady is remarkably one of the top scorers at this summer’s competition with two goals from three matches, as many as he managed in 41 league appearances for Aston Villa last season. The 31-year-old right-back netted in Egypt’s last two group games and was the WhoScored Man of the Match against DR Congo.
Left wing: Trezeguet (Egypt) - 7.84 rating
Mohamed Salah was expected to steal the headlines for Egypt but Trezeguet was actually the star of the group stages for the hosts. The 24-year-old played a direct hand in two goals in three appearances (one goal, one assist) and has completed the most dribbles at the competition (12). Trezeguet also averages 2 key passes and 2 shots per game.
Central midfield: Adama Traore II (Mali) - 7.63 rating
Adama Traore II played a direct hand in two goals in two starts for Mali in the group stage, with both of those goal contributions coming in Mali’s 4-1 win over Mauritania. The 24-year-old is averaging more key passes per 90 than any other player to have started at least one game at this summer’s competition (5.8).
Central midfield: Diadie Samassekou (Mali) - 8.05 rating
Diadie Samassekou, like his Mali team-mate Adama Traore II, also played a direct hand in two goals in two starts (one goal, one assist). The 23-year-old scored or assisted in each of his appearances and was the WhoScored Man of the Match in their 1-1 draw with Tunisia. Despite only making two appearances in the group stage, he has made more interceptions than any other player in the competition (10).
Right wing: Ismaila Sarr (Senegal) - 8.55 rating
Ismaila Sarr finished the group stage as the highest WhoScored rated player in the competition. The Senegal winger scored one goal from two appearances and averaged more dribbles per game than any other player (5.5). Sarr, 21, was also fouled 3.5 times per game and had 2.5 shots per game.
Striker: Jordan Ayew (Ghana) - 7.75 rating
Jordan Ayew has scored more goals in three matches at the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations (2) than he managed in 20 league appearances for Crystal Palace last season (1). The 27-year-old scored in their group opener against Benin and their final match against Guinea-Bissau. Furthermore, no player was fouled more times than Ayew (13) in the group stage.
Striker: Andre Ayew (Ghana) - 7.37 rating
Jordan Ayew is partnered up front in the XI by brother Andre, who scored one goal in three appearances. The 29-year-old striker impressively averages 2.7 tackles and 1.3 interceptions per game at the tournament, while also managing two shots and one key pass per game.
