Tunisia well-represented in AFCON best XI after Madagascar victory
Goalkeeper: Rais M’bolhi (Algeria) - 7.63 rating
Jonathan Kodjia became the first player to get the better of Rais M’bolhi at AFCON 2019, ending a run of 421 minutes without conceding, and it could have been more had the experienced goalkeeper not worked wonders between the sticks. Indeed, M’bolhi made more saves (6) than any other shotstopper in the quarter-finals of the tournament to help land a WhoScored rating of 7.63.
Right-back: Mehdi Zeffane (Algeria) - 7.09 rating
Having replaced regular starting right-back Youcef Atal after half an hour, the Nice star succumbing to a shoulder injury in the first half of Algeria’s shootout win over Ivory Coast, Mehdi Zeffane impressed when called upon in defence as he gained a WhoScored rating of 7.09 in the quarter-final clash. The 27-year-old made a crucial clearance off the line to deny Ivory Coast a second goal six minutes after their equaliser, that one of three clearances in the victory, to help make the best XI.
Centre-back: Ismael Traore (Ivory Coast) - 7.32 rating
The first of two Ivory Coast players to make the team of the quarter-finals, despite their defeat at the hands of Algeria, 32-year-old Ismael Traore put in a solid rearguard display regardless of the loss as he made four clearances, four interceptions and one tackle. An additional three aerial duels saw him land a WhoScored rating of 7.32.
Centre-back: Yassine Meriah (Tunisia) - 7.36 rating
The first of five Tunisia players in a dominant team of the round after their 3-0 win over Madagascar on Thursday night, Yassine Meriah put in a solid shift at the heart of the defence in the routine victory. The 26-year-old made more passes (66) and more clearances (6) than any other player at the quarter-final stage of the tournament to return a WhoScored rating of 7.36, that enough to feature at the heart of the defence in this XI.
Left-back: Ramy Bensebaini (Algeria) - 7.32 rating
Rounding off the defence is left-back Ramy Bensebaini, who, like Traore, also landed a WhoScored rating of 7.32. The defender won two aerial duels against Ivory Coast and put in a commendable showing at the back as he made four tackles, two clearances and one interception. Going forward, Bensebaini’s only key pass resulted in Sofiane Feghouli’s first half goal and he wasn’t adverse to chancing his luck too as he had two shots.
Right midfield: Wahbi Khazri (Tunisia) - 8.87 rating
Our AFCON player of the round, Wahbi Khazri landed a WhoScored rating of 8.87 from Tunisia’s routine 3-0 win over Madagascar. He provided the late assist for Naim Sliti’s injury time strike, that the icing on the cake in a comfortable showing for Tunisia. That assist came from one of three key passes by Khazri, who also completed three dribbles. He wasn’t afraid to go for goal either as he had more shots (6) than any other player in the quarter-finals.
Central midfield: Ferjani Sassi (Tunisia) - 7.86 rating
While Khazri had a hand in Tunisia’s third goal, it was Ferjani Sassi who set the Eagles of Carthage on their way to the semi-finals of AFCON 2019, netting Tunisia’s first goal seven minutes after the restart. His first goal of the tournament was from one of two shots against Madagascar, while off the ball, Sassi was effective at breaking up play, making two tackles and one interception to return a WhoScored rating of 7.86.
Central midfield: Sofiane Feghouli (Algeria) - 7.48 rating
Sofiane Feghouli has had a direct hand in two goals at AFCON 2019, the second of which came against Ivory Coast as he scored with one of his three shots. His was a solid showing in the quarter-final win as he made two tackles and one clearance to go with his goal as the 29-year-old gained a WhoScored rating of 7.48.
Left midfield: Youssef Msakni (Tunisia) - 8.56 rating
The fourth of five Tunisia players to make the grade, Youssef Msakni had a direct hand in two of their three goals against Madagascar. The 28-year-old provided the assist for Sassi’s strike, that coming from one of three key passes in the 3-0 win, before he doubled Tunisia’s advantage as he scored with one of two shots. Four successful dribbles, two interceptions and one tackle meant Msakni was good value for his WhoScored rating of 8.56.
Striker: Jonathan Kodjia (Ivory Coast) - 7.37 rating
While Jonathan Kodjia did well to end Rais M’bohli’s clean sheet run at AFCON 2019, it ultimately wasn’t enough to secure Ivory Coast a semi-final spot. No less, Kodjia returned a commendable WhoScored rating of 7.37 against Algeria as he scored from one of three shots and won three aerial duels, while two successful dribbles means he did enough to feature.
Striker: Taha Khenissi (Tunisia) - 7.68 rating
Rounding off the best XI, and making the AFCON 2019 team of the knockout stages for the second time, Taha Khenissi may have failed to have a direct hand in a goal against Madagascar, but it wasn’t for want of trying. Indeed, the 27-year-old had one shot and made one key pass in the 3-0 victory, but it was his work off the ball that stood out as Khenissi drew five fouls and made five tackles to land a WhoScored rating of 7.68.
