AFCON 2025 came to a climax on Sunday at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat, bringing to a close what has been an exhilarating tournament. Right from the group stage to the knockout phase, Africa’s most coveted Championship has delivered thrilling moments.
There are several players that exhibited outstanding performanes, throwing their bodies on the line and carried their teams when it mattered most. In this article, Joel Muyita who followed the tournament closely in Morocco share what he thinks is the best XI plus honourable mentions.
Goalkeeper: Yassin Bounou (Morocco)
He was outstanding in goal for the Atlas Lions and came to their rescue in some moments when the backline was beaten. The saves against Iliman Ndiaye and Ibrahim Mbaye in the final, a brilliant save against Nigeria’s Ademola Lookman and his heroics in the penalty shootout in the semifinals to mention but a few.
He gets the slot ahead of Stanley Nwabari and Edouard Mendy of Nigeria and Senegal resepctively who were equally key players for their teams.
Right back: Krepin Diatta (Senegal)
Unfortunate for him to miss the final due to an injury sustained during warm up but the winger cum defender did a commendable job for the Lions of Teranga.
Whereas he is majorly deployed as a winger at club level, for his country, Diatta has made the right back position his own, given his ability to balance both attack and defence.
Diatta gets into my team ahead of Algeria’s Rafik Belghali.
Left back: Noussair Mazraoui (Morocco)
A tough choice between Mazroui and Nigeria’s Bruno Onyemaechi but I went for the former because of his consistence. Started the tournament at right back in the absence of Achraf Hakimi but his return meant Mazraoui moved to the left, dispensing Anass Salah-Eddine who had equally put in a shift.
Mazraoui kept his solid performance and was hardly beaten across the tournament. Onyemaechi might have been better in attack but I will settke for the Manchester United player.
Centre Back: Calvin Bassey (Nigeria)
He needs no introduction. If there is any player who made his mark at AFCON 2025, Bassey is one of them. A fearless defender, fighter and good in ball distribution.
Centre Back: Ramy Rabia (Egypt)
Another tough spot to make a choice. Yasser Ibrahim, Ramy Rabia and Nayef Aguerd have all been impressive But I slightly put Rabia ahead of the other two. He was colossal for the Pharaohs, forming a good partnership with Yasser Ibrahim. For Aguerd, when Roman Saiss got injured in the first game against Comoros, the former played alongside Jawad El Yamiq who was later dropped by coach Walid Regragui and replaced him with Adam Masina.
Defensive Midfielder: Neil El Aynaoui (Morocco)
Not many will give a player like Aynaoui plaudits but the midfielder has been a key figure for Morocco. Inteceptions, blocks, tackles, igniting attacks, the AS Roma player has done it all.
Central Midfieler: Papa Gueye (Senegal)
What a tournament he had. His industry in the midfield was crucial in Senegal’s triumph. He went ahead to be effective on the offensive end as well.
Gueye bagged a brace against Sudan in the round of 16 game that Senegal won 3-1. In the final, his goal was all that mattered to guide the Lions of Teranga to success.
Attacking Midfielder: Alex Iwobi ( Nigeria)
Iwobi was one of the key figures for Nigeria, being the ochestra of the team’s attacks. His passes through the channels always released the Super Eagles going forward.
Centre Forward: Victor Osimhen (Nigeria)
A go-getter, leader and alwas ready to give every aota of his energy, Osimhen gets into my Best XI of the tournament.
He was important for the Super Eagles, scoring four goals and assisting on two occassions. Only Ademola Lookman had more goal involvement (sevdn) at the tournament.
Forward: Brahim Diaz (Morocco)
He might have misssed a penalty in the final but he had an enough impact in Morocco reaching the final. Diaz scored in each of Morocco’s opening five games and it was and eventually ended as the top scorer of the tournament.
Forward: Ademola Lookman (Nigeria)
I had two options for this spot. Lookman and the tournament Most Valuable Player Sadio Mane but I have opted to go for the former because he had the most goal contribution at the tournament (3 goals and 4 assists). Mane was equally influential, especially in the latter stages of the competition.
Coach: Eric Chelle (Nigeria)
Honourable Mentions:
Stanley Nwabali (Nigeria) – Goalkeeper
Eduardo Mendy (Senegal) – Goalkeeper
Bruno Onyemeachi (Nigeria) – Defender
Rafik Belghali (Algeria) – Defender
Nayef Aguerd (Morocco) – Defender
Sadio Mane (Senegal) – Forward