CAF Technical Study Group releases TotalEnergies CHAN Algeria 2022 Group stage Best XI  

The CAF Technical Study Group (TSG) has released their Best XI of the TotalEnergies African Nations Championship (CHAN) 2022 in Algeria group stages.

The Group Stage Best X1

**Goalkeeper: **Alexis Guendouz (Algeria)

**Defenders: **Eddie Afonso (Angola), Ismael Souley (Niger), Chouaib Keddad (Algeria),  Sheikh Sidibe (Senegal)

**Midfielders: **Lamine Camara (Senegal) , Houssem Mrezigue (Algeria) , Solomampionona Razafindranaivo

**Forwards: **Gilberto (Angola), Sankara Karamoko (Côte d’Ivoire), Jonathan Ikangalombo (Democratic Republic of Congo)

With three clean sheets in three games, Algerian keeper Alexis Guendouz has been impressive so far making sure that the Desert Foxes avoid conceding.

At right back, Eddie Afonso of Angola stood out in the group stages for his consistent runs on the right wing providing both offensive options for the very attacking Palancas Negras side as well as defensive cover on the other end.

Afonso provided the assist for Angola’s first goal at the tournament for Laurindo Aurelio commonly known as Depu to open their account in Oran.

In central defense, Niger’s Ismael Souley and Chouaib Keddad of Algeria partner directly in front of goal for their ability to communicate, prevent opposing players from scoring as well as clearing anything and everything in front of them.

Their movement on and off the ball also impressed the TSG as they zeroed down on the pair for their role in also helping their teams to progress in the tournament.

Cheikh Sidibe of Senegal comes in at left back for his modern-day execution of this role. He is fast, intentional and precise in his runs and has an ability to swing in crosses from the left that cause problems for the opposition.

In their decisive match against the Democratic Republic of Congo that they won 3-0, Sidibe had a 71% passing accuracy from the left wing and made three key tackles to deny the Leopards who huffed and puffed but failed to find the back of the net.

In the middle, Senegal’s Lamine Camara sits to the right of a three-men midfield while Madagascar’s Solomampionona Razafindranaivo provides the pivot and Houssem Mrezigue of Algeria sits to the left of this trio that gives both offensive options upfront with the ability to track back and regain possession and control of the game.

To complete the attacking flavour is Gilberto on the right side of the three-men frontline.

Jonathan Ikangalombo of the Democratic Republic of Congo comes in at the left, basking with attacking power and speed in a way that any defense will find problems defending his energy and skill.

To top off this selection is the 19-year-old Sankara Karamoko who has been impressive in the three group stage games that Côte d’Ivoire have played in Algeria.

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