A nd breathe. The groups stages of the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations are over. The madness has subsided, the drama is on hold until the weekend, and if, like us, you’ve made it through every game of a sometimes brilliant, sometimes frustratingly action-free, ponderous tournament (blame the pitches, or Morocco for pulling out of hosting) then well done you.

Although we still don’t know the final last eight heading into the quarter finals, with Mali and Guinea due to draw lots tomorrow to decide who qualifies from Group D after posting identical records (three 1-1 draws), decisions still have to be made. Here is our Just Football AFCON 2015 Best XI players of the group stages:

GK: Felipe OVONO (Equatorial Guinea)

Not the best all-round goalkeeper, with one or two unpunished errors, such as one against Congo that nearly allowed Marvin Baudry to score. Nevertheless, Ovono can boast the fewest goals conceded of any keeper at AFCON 2015 so far, along with Cape Verde’s Vozinha.

Also made important saves to keep Burkina Faso out in Game 2, as Equatorial Guinea somehow managed to bring joy to their people and qualify.

RDEF: Marvin BAUDRY (Congo)

A useful outlet for Claude Le Roy’s side at right back as Congo made it to the quarter finals for the first time since 1992. Impressed in all three games and helped keep pacy forwards like Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Jonathan Pitroipa quiet. In fairness, not too many right backs have stood out so far.

CDEF: Kolo TOURE (Ivory Coast)

Ivory Coast haven’t quite clicked into gear yet, but they’ve qualified as group winners. That makes them dangerous. While quite a few of their big name stars have either underperformed (Yaya Toure) or spectacularly disappointed (Gervinho, Salomon Kalou), Kolo Toure has been a figure of quiet, solid calm at the heart of defence, marshalling a young and newly-constructed backline with authority and class. Arguably his best performances at a Cup of Nations since 2008 (before meeting Amr Zaki).

CDEF: Aurelien CHEDJOU (Cameroon)

Sure, he’s going home, but his performance in the 1-1 draw against Guinea was the best defensive display at AFCON 2015 so far. Chedjou was simply outstanding, making tackle after tackle, clearance after clearance.

So dominant was the centre back that at times it was like watching a man take candy from a series of Guinean babies. The Indomitable Lions may go home bottom of Group D and disgrace, but Cameroon’s problems weren’t at centre back.

LDEF: Abdul Rahman BABA (Ghana)

His pinpoint cross for the goal that sent Ghana through to the last eight was exceptional, and while Ghana have struggled, Baba Rahman has rarely put a foot wrong. His tackling against Senegal was classy, as was his positioning, and he’s developing into one of Africa’s most promising young talents, if he isn’t already. Henri Bedimo and Faouzi Ghoulam were also worthy contenders for this spot.

SEE ALSO: Generation Next: Abdul Rahman Baba – the Bundesliga and Black Stars’ next young star

DMID: Chancel MBEMBA (DR Congo)

Youssouf Mulumbu’s injury in the first half of DR Congo’s second game, against Cape Verde, was a hammer blow for The Leopards. Fortunately, however, they had Anderlecht’s Chancel Mbemba around to step up, acting as the defensive shield in front of DR Congo’s back four.

Mbemba’s positioning, strength and tackling were all noteworthy, and his distribution to help build play was also useful – better than one would imagine, in fact. The 20-year-old looks a fine player in the making.

CMID: Kevin CONSTANT (Guinea)

Solid against the Ivorians, silky against Cameroon and then pulls out a panenka against Mali to (almost) send his team through to the last eight. Kevin Constant may not be the most popular man in Milan, but for the Syli Nationale he’s a vital player, and proved as much here with three high-quality outings.

RW: Max-Alain GRADEL (Ivory Coast)

No Drogba, no Yaya (well, almost no Yaya given his lax performances so far) and no Gervinho – Ivory Coast needed a hero to get them out of a group tighter than an elephant in tights. Arise, Sir Max-Alain Gradel, formerly of Leeds United, now earning his corn at Saint-Etienne.

Gradel came up with two crucial goals to effectively send his country through, equalising against Mali and then scoring this cracking winner to knock Cameroon out. Joint-top scorer at AFCON 2015 so far, Gradel is making the grade.

LW: Javier BALBOA (Equatorial Guinea)

His penalty against Gabon sent a nation absolutely wild with joy. Javier Balboa has been one of Equatorial Guinea’s main men on home soil, providing craft and creativity. Some of his passing has been exceptional; he carved openings for fun against Congo and kept his nerve when it mattered to help send every Equatoguinean watching the 2-0 win over Gabon at the Estadio de Bata into a rabid frenzy. Heroic.

ATT: Thievy BIFOUMA (Congo)

Put simply, Congo wouldn’t be in the last eight without Thievy Bifouma. The former West Bromwich Albion loanee came up with the goods not once but twice, scoring a vital late equaliser against Equatorial Guinea in his team’s opening game before showing remarkable bravery to open the scoring in the 2-1 win over Burkina Faso, putting his body on the line and injuring himself in the process to tap home.

Hopefully he’s fit for the knockout rounds as the 22-year-old’s skilful dribbling and pace have been a joy to watch.

ATT: Andre AYEW (Ghana)

Cometh the hour, cometh the man. Andre Ayew did it again for the Black Stars, rescuing them with a courageous header against South Africa that saw Ghana top Group C. Ayew also scored a penalty against Senegal, and his energy and commitment to the cause can’t be underestimated: one 75 yard dash back to his own penalty area to defend a Senegal counter-attack summed up Ayew’s infectious enthusiasm and dedication to the Ghana shirt perfectly. A warrior.

Who would make your AFCON 2015 Best XI of the group stages? Let us know below or on Facebook and Twitter.