The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has officially unveiled the Team of the Tournament for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco, recognising the competition’s most consistent and influential performers.
The announcement follows Senegal’s 1–0 extra-time victory over host nation Morocco in the final played on January 18, a result that sealed Senegal’s second continental title.
Senegal and Morocco Dominate Selection
In a statement published on its website on Wednesday, CAF said the Best XI was selected by its Technical Study Group (TSG) after a detailed assessment process that evaluated players’ performances throughout the tournament.
Champions Senegal and runners-up Morocco each had four players named in the team, reflecting their dominance across the competition, while Nigeria, who finished third, contributed three players.
How the Team Was Selected
CAF explained that the selection was based on consistency, tactical impact, and overall excellence, using a fully integrated technical evaluation system. This included:
• Live performance data
• Multi-angle video analysis
• Remote and on-site technical observations
• Input from dedicated video analysts
The process was designed to ensure an objective and comprehensive review of all matches.
AFCON 2025 Team of the Tournament
Goalkeeper
• Yassine Bounou (Morocco)
Defenders
• Achraf Hakimi (Morocco)
• Calvin Bassey (Nigeria)
• Moussa Niakhaté (Senegal)
• Noussair Mazraoui (Morocco)
Midfielders
• Idrissa Gueye (Senegal)
• Pape Gueye (Senegal)
• Ademola Lookman (Nigeria)
Forwards
• Sadio Mané (Senegal)
• Victor Osimhen (Nigeria)
• Brahim DÃaz (Morocco)
CAF highlighted Sadio Mané as the tournament’s most influential figure, with the Senegal captain later named Player of the Tournament for his leadership and decisive contributions.
Morocco’s goalkeeper Yassine Bounou was also singled out after conceding just two goals in seven matches, while Brahim DÃaz finished as the competition’s top scorer.
Strong Nigerian Representation
Nigeria’s presence in the Best XI—through Calvin Bassey, Ademola Lookman and Victor Osimhen—underscored the Super Eagles’ impressive campaign, which ended with a third-place finish.
According to CAF, all three Nigerian players played pivotal roles at different stages of the tournament, contributing both defensively and offensively to the team’s success.
The AFCON 2025 Team of the Tournament reflects not only individual brilliance but also the tactical strength and consistency of the teams that progressed deepest into Africa’s premier football competition.
source: Africa Publicity
