Goalkeeper: Mohamed El-Shenawy (Egypt) - 7.41 rating
Egypt breezed through the group stages, progressing to the last-16 at a canter, before their knockout stage defeat to South Africa. It was a blow to the hosts, who had hoped to go all the way on home turf, but they still have three players in the AFCON 2019 best XI, with Mohamed El-Shenawy featuring between the sticks. The 30-year-old kept a clean sheet in each of his three group stage outings while only Rais M’bolhi (16) made more saves than El-Shenawy (15) at the tournament.
Right-back: Youcef Atal (Algeria) - 7.66 rating
Our player of the tournament, Youcef Atal’s absence in the build up to Algeria’s AFCON 2019 win could have impacted Les Verts, but that they still secured glory speaks volume of their strength in depth. Prior to injury, Atal landed a WhoScored rating of 7.66, that better than any other player to make more than two starts at the tournament as he ranked seventh for tackles per game (3) and second for interceptions per game (3.3).
Centre-back: Romain Saiss (Morocco) - 7.62 rating
The sole Moroccan representative, Romain Saiss impressed prior to Morocco’s last-16 exit at the hands of Benin to land a WhoScored rating of 7.62. The Wolves man ranked fourth for passes per game (64), while 2.8 tackles and 2.3 interceptions per game were also fine returns for the 29-year-old.
Centre-back: Kenneth Omeruo (Nigeria) - 7.40
Partnering Saiss at the heart of the defence is Nigeria’s Kenneth Omeruo with a WhoScored rating of 7.40. One goal and one assist contributed such a notable return, with a star showing coming in the 1-0 win over Guniea, a game in which the centre-back bagged the winner, while no player made more interceptions than the defender (15) at AFCON 2019.
Left-back: Ayman Ashraf (Egypt) - 7.24 rating
Rounding off the defence, Ayman Ashraf put in a fine showing on home turf across his four appearance as he gained a commendable WhoScored rating of 7.24. Only Franck Kessie (3) made more assists than the left-back (2) as he pressed forward well, averaging 1.3 key passes per game.
Right midfield: Ismaila Sarr (Senegal) - 7.37 rating
The only Senegal player to make the XI, Ismaila Sarr showed why interest in his signature is high, no matter their final defeat at the hands of Algeria. He may have only netted once at AFCON 2019, that coming in a man of the match display in a 3-0 win over Kenya, but 3.4 dribbles per game was impressive to say the least and saw Sarr land a WhoScored rating of 7.37.
Central midfield: Diadie Samasskou (Mali) - 7.62 rating
Only Atal (7.66) gained a higher WhoScored rating than Diadie Samasskou (7.62) at AFCON 2019 of those to make two or more starts as the central midfielder shot to prominence at the tournament. The 23-year-old put up fine returns of 3.3 tackles and 3.7 interceptions per game at the competition, the latter the best of all players, as his stock soared in Egypt.
Central midfield: Adama Traore II (Mali) - 7.35 rating
Compatriot Adama Traore II partners Samasskou in the midfield of the park with the 24-year-old scoring one and assisting another across four appearances in Egypt. 5.9 key passes per 90 was far and away the best return at the tournament, while an additional two successful dribbles per 90 reinforced a statistically calculated WhoScored strength of ‘dribbling’ and helped the midfielder return a WhoScored rating of 7.35.
Left midfield: Trezeguet (Egypt) - 7.56 rating
Completing the midfield and the Egypt contingent, Trezeguet enjoyed a fine AFCON 2019 campaign as his WhoScored rating (7.56) suggests. The winger scored one and assisted another for the Pharaohs, with his strike against Zimbabwe landing him the man of the match award. 3.8 dribbles per game was the second best return at the competition to reinforce a statistically calculated WhoScored strength of ‘dribbling’ as the wideman, who has been linked with a move to Aston Villa, excelled.
Striker: Wahbi Khazri (Tunisia) - 7.19 rating
No player had more shots than Wahbi Khazri at AFCON 2019 (19), while the Tunisia star made more key passes (20) than any other player in Egypt. While he couldn’t fire Tunisia to a podium finish, it clearly wasn’t for want of trying from the Saint-Etienne star, who scored one and assisted another to help gain a WhoScored rating of 7.19.
Striker: Jordan Ayew (Ghana) - 7.49 rating
Finishing the XI is Ghana striker Jordan Ayew, who led the line with aplomb as he hit the back of the net twice from his four appearances. 1.5 tackles per game reinforced a WhoScored strength of ‘defensive contribution’, while solid returns of 1.5 key passes and 1.8 dribbles per game both contributed towards a WhoScored rating of 7.49.
