Afcon 2023: CAF branded disrespectful for snubbing Osimhen and Nwabali in Team of the Tournament
Fans have savaged the Confederation of African Football for omitting both Victor Osimhen and Stanley Nwabali from their AFCON team of the tournament.
The Team of the Tournament for the African Cup of Nations was announced on Wednesday, with Osimhen and Nwabali conspicuous by their absence. The Napoli striker scored in the opener against Equatorial Guinea and provided three assists throughout the tournament as they reached the final, while Nwabali kept four clean sheets and won a penalty shootout en route to the silver medal.
Fans were quick to flock to X to express their outrage. One wrote: "Disrespectful. Osimhen didn't make the list."
Another claimed the CAF were "not serious" for omitting both Osimhen and Frank Onyeka, while one account claimed they "didn't know" Williams, and claimed Nwabali should have been picked in goal, while others begged for likes and retweets to show support for the Nigeria goalkeeper.
In comparison to Osimhen and Nwabali, both Williams and Nsue enjoyed strong tournaments. The South Africa goalkeeper kept five clean sheets and saved four penalties in a shootout win over Cape Verde as his country finished third. Nsue, at the age of 34, scored five goals at the tournament, including a brace against eventual winners Ivory Coast.
Osimhen and Nwabali will both look to put their disappointment behind them as they return to their clubs. The striker will go back to life in Serie A with Napoli, while Nwabali ply his trade for Chippa United in South Africa.